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Tarik Black Q&A

How do you think your college experience has prepared you for the NBA?

That’s actually a really good question. I’d have to say playing through adversity definitely prepares you for these situations. You go into somebody else’s gym or you get down a lot during a game, and your coach tells you to keep fighting, keep on playing, we can fight back, and people tend not to believe that. People tend to give up. But when you go through situations where you actually fight back, it prepares you to come out here and work as hard as you can and still be able to push yourself to take it to the next level.

What do you do to prepare for workouts like this one?

I’m sleeping. I’m kicking my feet up as much as possible. We have to be energized when we come into the gym at different facilities around the country to perform.

And how did it go for you today?

I think I did pretty good today. I had a good showing, and I’m satisfied with what I came out here and did.

What’s it like being the ‘old man’ in the group?

I’m still young! [Laughs] It’s pretty cool. I can give knowledge. I accept that tag because I’m not ‘old’ in the bigger scheme of things, but if I’m blessed enough to make it to this level, guys I’ll be playing with will definitely be older than me. Coming out here right now, I’m getting used to being the elder statesman so I can spread as much knowledge and help guys get better.

What do you like best about Denver?

I love the altitude; it makes it so easy to run up and down the court. [Laughs] That was sarcasm, by the way. I like the staff. They seem like really cool people. It was a healthy conversation.

Aaron Rodgers has contacted you lately about possibly playing football. Is there a possibility that you could be a two-sport athlete?

Hypothetically speaking, even if basketball and football didn’t run at the same time, think about the grind that’s on the body. You’re talking about the NBA, which is 82 games not including playoffs, and the NFL, which is 16 weeks of heart, grit and grind. So, I know I have a nice build, but I don’t think anybody – unless you’re Superman – can withstand that. I don’t think it’s possible. I’ve been looking into it because when you’re presented something like that, you can’t just turn it down. It’s a blessing. So I’ve talking to Aaron Rodgers a little bit. But I’m in Denver, not Green Bay. I want to be a basketball player. That’s my passion. I’m not going to give up on it now.