Western Illinois University Athletics

James Claar was named the Hampton Inn Scholar-Athlete for the month of January. The redshirt-senior has started every game this season for the Leathernecks' men's basketball team and is averaging season-highs in several categories: points (7.3), rebounds (5.8) and minutes (22.4). 

1. If you could play any other sport, what would it be and why?
Track because I like running and jumping.

2. Any pre-game superstitions?
I have to listen to music, specifically the song "blow up" by J. Cole.

3. What's been your most memorable experience at Western (basketball or non-basketball related?) 
We beat the Wisconsin Badgers (2015) in their home opener after they rose their national championship banners. 

4. Who is your hero?
My hero is my mom.

5. What did you want to be when you were younger? What are your current career goals?
I wanted to be an astronaut when I was younger. My current aspiration is to become a professional basketball player. 

6. If you could only watch three movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
A Bugs Life, Love and Basketball, and Finding Forrester. 

7. What is your proudest accomplishment?
Getting a DI scholarship to play basketball.

8. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Travel the world and see as much of it as I can.

8. What's your favorite thing about the game of basketball?
What you put into basketball is equivalent to what you get out of it. 

9. Which would you rather?  A posterizing dunk OR a blocking what could have been a posterizing dunk? 
Posterizing dunk