By Paul Esau (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 11, 2012
Aside from the officiating fireworks, Saturday’s game featured some fine moments from one of the Cascades’ rising stars: Jordan Blackman. Recruited from Yale Secondary in Abbotsford, Blackman is in his first year with UFV, and his considerable talent is translating into some big minutes and bigger plays. In one of the most memorable feats of the night, the six-foot-six guard tracked down a Pronghorn player cruising to what he obviously thought was an easy layup, only to discover Blackman hovering in the upper stratosphere. The ball ended up somewhere in the stands, the opposing player ended up wishing he’d stayed home, and Blackman, well, Blackman gave us an interview.
How do you feel about the game tonight?
It was alright, we were a little slow offensively, defense was a big part of our first half, but [later on] it just seemed like we fell a part a little bit. Especially in the fourth quarter with lots of fouls going on.
One play that stuck out to me… number seven [on the Pronghorns] was going to the hoop on a fast-break layup and you stuffed him. You came up behind and you really seemed to want to stuff him. What was up with number seven that sparked your ire?
I’m the kind of guy, if I can get a chance to erase a mistake, I’ll take the opportunity. We turned the ball over and they got a fast break and I would just do anything I could to shave some points off the board. So they don’t get easy hoops when they think they’ve got an easy basket. I just chased it down.
I was hearing that you guys were on a trip to L.A. recently, which might explain the double arm sleeves tonight. Tell me a little about that.
All the guys, we’re pretty much like a family, we’re so close. I have arm sleeves from years and years of playing. I always used to rock them. A couple of guys had started buying them and I wanted to stand out a little bit. Everyone thinks I kind of look like Joel, so I wanted to do something to make myself look like an individual (laughs).
But you took them off in the fourth quarter?
I didn’t think I was going back in the game. Guys started fouling out.
I’ve also been hearing vicious rumours about a rap album?
Yeah, maybe. I mean I got a producer, and I’m trying to put together a little mix tape on the side. It’s mostly a summer thing.
How much of that is together at this point? Do you have some tracks?
I do have some tracks, I have about seven or eight tracks… I have a web page that I put them on. I haven’t put any of my new stuff up yet, but I do have some stuff online.*
How would you describe yourself as a rapper?
I would describe myself kind of, I sing a little bit, but mostly it’s just a way for me to vent. Some people write, some people are vocal, and I think I have a gift musically. I just express myself through it so pretty much it’s just me.
*Google “JBlaq” for some sick beats.
