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Being Josh Scott

Josh Scott (Soc’16) takes his role as aÌýleader seriously. Himself? Not so much.ÌýHere the 6-foot-10 senior forward for the CUÌýmen’s basketball team from Monument,ÌýColo., talks buckets and boards, littleÌýbrothers, inevitable comparisons, butteredÌýpopcorn and the day he just might cry.

Coach Tad Boyle describes you asÌýa leader. What does being a teamÌýleader mean to you?

Setting a good example. I think to be aÌýleader you first have to show that youÌýhave the work ethic, that you’re willing toÌýput yourself in a position that might notÌýbe favorable to yourself but might be bestÌýfor the team. Honestly, it’s just all aboutÌýhow you present yourself. Making sureÌýthat others understand that you wouldn’tÌýask anything of them that you wouldn’tÌýdo yourself. I think that’s reallyÌýimportant.

People think of Tim Duncan of theÌýSan Antonio Spurs as a good leader.ÌýDoes anyone ever tell you that youÌýlook like Tim Duncan?

All the time. They tell me I play like TimÌýDuncan, look like Tim Duncan. I’ve heardÌýI look like Drake [the Canadian rapper]. IÌýcan’t seem to escape comparisons.

Does it bother you then?

I wouldn’t say bother me as much as IÌýwould say, ‘I’m Josh Scott.’ Nobody wantsÌýto be associated with somebody else,Ìýeven though those are cool people to beÌýassociated with. I like being myself. SoÌýit’s kind of like, ‘Oh you look like Drake,’Ìýand I’m just like, ‘Ah, yeah, whatever.’ But IÌýalways say, ‘The ladies love them, so …’

You’re the oldest of five boys.ÌýWhat’s that like?

Crazy. I’m supposed to be a good roleÌýmodel. Sometimes I think I do a crummyÌýjob, but then other times I think I’veÌýlearned a lot about leadership and settingÌýa good example for others, so there’s that.

How often does your family comeÌýto games?

As often as they can. Which is probablyÌýtwo out of every three. Seeing as I haveÌýyounger brothers, I feel pretty blessedÌýthat they can make that many.

What do you think your legacy willÌýbe at CU-Boulder?

I don’t know. I’m aware of the fact thatÌýI’m going to end up, at least in the statÌýbooks, as a prolific Buff and all thatÌýstuff. To me it’s more what the universityÌýhas left on me than what I’ve left onÌýit. I wouldÌýsay I still feel really honoredÌýgoing out and getting my name announced,Ìýbeing a CU Buff. That’s real.ÌýI think I’m going to cry when I have toÌýgive it all up.

Do you remember what it wasÌýlike to put on a CU jersey for theÌýfirst time?

I was nervous. We were predicted toÌýbe pretty dang good after they won theÌýPac-12 Championship and I was startingÌýas a skinny freshman. I rememberÌýcoming in and the crowd was loud andÌýI hadÌýnever played in front of that manyÌýpeople before and I was starting. I wasÌýlike, ‘Oh my gosh.’ My hands were allÌýsweaty. Once you get settled down, theÌýenergy hits you and I remember I hadÌýaÌýpretty good game. A good start to aÌýgreat career for me.

What do you like to do outsideÌýof basketball?

Movies. I’m big into going to the actualÌýmovie theater with popcorn and butter. ItÌýbreaks my pocketbook, but I love movies.

Is it true that the latest Star Wars isÌýyour favorite movie?

I’m a Star Wars nerd, I won’t even lie. EverybodyÌýshould go see it about five timesÌýlike I did. Yep, five times. It’s a great movie.ÌýIt’s just amazing. I’d probably go see itÌýagain for sure.

What’s more rewarding: Blocking aÌýshot, grabbing a rebound or scoring?

I’d say getting a rebound. I think thoseÌýare effort plays. You have to box out, itÌýcan be physical. You can have four pointsÌýand ifÌýyou have 15 rebounds, I see thatÌýand think, ‘Wow! You were really workingÌýyour butt off.’ Compared to if you seeÌýsomeone has 18 points — everybody canÌýscore these days.

Condensed and edited

Photos by Glenn AsakawaÌý