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by Kevin Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

Despite a breakout sophomore year, Bryce Cotton came into this season somewhat in the background. His backcourt mate is Vincent Council, a senior point guard and preseason all-Big East first-team member.

Cotton, though, has stepped into the forefront for Providence, leading the Big East in scoring with 21.9 points a game. He has had to make up for injuries in the backcourt to Council and highly touted freshman guard Kris Dunn.

Cotton also has had to take on a leadership role with a young team. In the process, he has been named to the Big East honor roll for weekly performances three times this season and has helped coach Ed Cooley’s Friars (10-9, 2-5 Big East) stay competitive.

The junior guard spoke with USA TODAY Sports:

On my iPod

I have a lot of Wale, Drake and Rick Ross.

Xbox or PlayStation?

PlayStation. NBA 2K, of course.

DVD I can’t live without

Training Day.

Golf, hunt or fish?

I like fishing, because you have a lot of time to reflect on what you want to think about. It’s just a good form of meditation.

Other hobby of choice

If I’m not playing basketball or doing homework, I’m just pretty much in my room watching movies.

My “welcome to Big East basketball” moment

My very first shot in the Big East was at Syracuse in the corner, and it went into about the third row (after being blocked).

My biggest surprise upon beginning my career at Providence

Seeing how quick things can change.

If I could change one rule in the game, it would be …

Probably not as many charge calls.

If I weren’t a basketball player,

I’d probably be … That’s a great question. I really don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t playing basketball.

One thing fans don’t know about me

I like school a lot.

Current basketball player I admire most

Kobe Bryant. When I was younger, all I would hear about is how hard he works.

Former basketball player I admire most

(Allen) Iverson, because he’s my size (6-1, 165 pounds) and some of the things he did at such a high level, I admire him for that.

What I like about playing at Providence

The atmosphere, the city, the fans … [For more on Getting to know: Providence Friars guard Bryce Cotton, click here.]