The Rant goes One-on-One with DeJuan Blair

DeJuan Blair

Between all the blocked shots, throwing down monstrous jams, and continually winning basketball games I was able to catch up with Schenley High Schools Man in the Middle DeJuan Blair for a quick Q&A segment. Here is what Blair (6-7, 250) a Pitt Panther recruit had to say:

THE REITMEYER RANT: DeJuan thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to talk to us.
DB: No problem, it is my pleasure.
THE REITMEYER RANT: First, I want to congratulate you and your Schenley teammates on returning to the state finals again this season.
DB: Thank you, It’s a big game, a real big game for us. I’m glad it will be at State College this year, it will be close enough that all of our fans can come up and show their support.
THE REITMEYER RANT: It looked like you guys were having a lot of fun on the court last night. (a 85-62 win over Harrisburg in the state semi-finals).
DB: Yeah last night was a fun game for us, but we still have one more that we want to win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: After the high school season is over, do you plan to play in any all-star events or tournaments?
DB: I’ll be playing in some, mainly local stuff around here. I am going to France on April 5th to play in an International All-Star event also.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You are so close to the University of Pittsburgh, how well do you know the players, have you been able to play with any of them?
DB: I know them real well. I haven’t gotten to play with any of them yet, but it is something I look forward to doing soon. Probably as soon as March Madness is over.
THE REITMEYER RANT: How do you see yourself fitting into the Pitt system next year?
DB: I’m going to try to win a Big East Championship. Whatever I have to do for the team to do that, I will. Obviously, I hoping I will be a starter, but I just want to win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Describe your style of play for someone who maybe hasn’t seen you on the court.
DB: I am a team player. I love to pass the ball. I would rather pass and have teammates be involved than scoring a bunch myself. I like to do a little bit of everything. The main thing though is that I love winning; I’ll do anything to help my team win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Why Pitt?
DB: It’s close to home, plain and simple. It is close to home and my family can watch every game.
THE REITMEYER RANT: If you didn’t go to Pitt, what school was next on your list?
DB: Tennessee
THE REITMEYER RANT: In your opinion, who is the MVP this year for Schenley?
DB: Can I name more than one? Everyone already knows DJ (Kennedy) and me, so I’d have to say Deandre Kane, Greg Blair and Jamaal Bryant. When teams try to stop me and DJ, those three are the ones that make things happen and they get overlooked by everyone.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Now for the fun stuff, you seem to make the highlights for your blocked shots or your big dunks every game now, go back and describe your first dunk for me.
DB: (chuckling) Oh man, I was in 8th grade. The first time I ever dunked I was at Ammons Rec Center, once I did it I made my mom watch me like 10 more times. The first time I dunked in a game was in 8th grade playing in an AAU qualifier. I told my mom that I still haven’t dunked in a game yet, and she joked about probably being in the bathroom or something and missing it once I finally did. Sure enough in that game I when I got my first dunk she was in the bathroom and missed it.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Word Association time, I’m going to say a name on a subject and I want you to say the first thing that comes to mind.
THE REITMEYER RANT: We will start with your teammates, DJ Kennedy.
DB: I love him
THE REITMEYER RANT: Deandre Kane
DB: He is an animal, real hard to stop.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Your brother, Greg Blair
DB: He is a younger version of me
THE REITMEYER RANT: Jamaal Bryant
DB: Onion, (laughing) what more can you say? No, I think he is the best point guard in the state. THE REITMEYER RANT: Schenley basketball
DB: Domination
THE REITMEYER RANT: Pitt Panthers basketball
DB: An excellent program, one I can’t wait to be a part of.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Oakland
DB: Home
THE REITMEYER RANT: Jamie Dixon
DB: A wonderful man, I can’t wait to be coached by him
THE REITMEYER RANT: The game of basketball
DB: Oh man, I’d die for it. I really don’t know what I would do without it.
THE REITMEYER RANT: This one might be the toughest of all, DeJuan Blair
DB: (laughing) Man, I’m a gentle giant. Off the court, I love everybody, but on the court, I can dominate.
THE REITMEYER RANT: DeJuan, it has been a pleasure, thanks for your time.
DB: No problem, anytime.