May 1, 2009
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No player elevated his game from one year to the next more than junior point guard Jermaine Beal. A native of Desoto, Texas, Beal went from the fourth or even fifth scoring option to the No. 1 or 2 option in 2009. After reaching doubles figures in scoring just 14 times in his first two seasons, Beal scored in double figures 21 times this season. His top scoring performance of the season helped the Commodores defeat South Carolina on Feb. 28, when he scored a career-best 27 points. A large factor for Beal’s improvement has been the number of hours he has put in during the offseason. The past two years, Beal has supplemented his offseason workout program by playing overseas with Christian missionary teams from Reach USA and SCORE International.
On the experience of playing overseas for missionary teams the past two years
It was great. I went to Argentina with SCORE (International) and China with Reach USA last year. In Argentina, before each game, we’d give the other team bibles, and after each game we’d have bible study for 15 minutes. In China, we saw the Great Wall and got to experience a different culture. It was also a good experience hanging out and getting to meet guys from other college teams.
On the competition the teams faced
I grew up playing AAU ball around the country, but nothing compares to going overseas. The competition level is much greater because you are playing against pro teams. A lot of the teams we played had players in their 30s.
On how he improved his shot from his sophomore to junior season
In the summertime, I worked on it quite a bit by shooting a bunch of jump shots. I just stayed at it, and shots started to fall for me this year. I didn’t have a set time of day that I shot because of my class schedule, but a lot of times, I would come in mid-day after weights. I tried to take 300 shots a day.
On taking the younger players under his wing
The coaches look at me to lead these guys, so I am trying to do the best that I can. We’ve got a young team, and we’ve had a lot of bumps and bruises, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
On his nicknames
I have a lot of nicknames on the team, but my favorites are Dolla Beal, Top Dolla or just Dolla.
On becoming the first Commodore since 1998 to play the full 40 minutes of a game when he did so against Alabama on Feb. 5
When the game ended, I did realize that I didn’t come out once, but I’m in shape, so I can go 40 minutes if coach needs me to go 40. It was the same game George (Drake) was hurt, so I knew I was going to get more minutes with him out … I just didn’t think it would be 40.
On wearing No. 0
I wanted to come in with something different. At the time I got (to Vanderbilt), Gilbert Arenas was playing well before he had all the injuries. He was an influence, but I mainly wanted to be different.
On the players he tries to model his game after
I try to take something from many different people. A few I like to follow are Steve Nash and Deron Williams.
On looking ahead to next season
Next year ought to be fun for us, and our team will be a whole lot better just because we have a year to grow. We can have a whole bunch of fun next year, but we’ll have to work in the summertime to get where we want to be.
On the area of his game he will focus on the most this offseason
I’ll probably focus on improving my shooting the most. I’m also going to work on muscling up, while slimming down at the same time. I also have to work on my quickness, my jumping ability and explosiveness.
