Feb. 4, 2008

Brent Hackett, a senior guard for the TCU men's basketball team, is confident in his team's chances for the remainder of the 2007-08 season. With a 3-4 Mountain West Conference record thus far and an 11-9 overall record, Hackett has his eye on helping the Frogs finish strong heading into the conference tournament.

Entering his senior season, the Fort Worth native needed only 246 points to become the 28th player in TCU history to score 1,000 points. Hackett now needs only 10 points to make history, but this milestone isn't on the mind of this team-oriented player.

The basketball standout is determined and focused on getting things done, and that's winning. As the go-to-guy for the Frogs, Hackett has overcome many nagging injuries and has consequently used every off-season as a time to rehab. That's not the case this year as the team captain is healthy and calling the shots.

Hackett is not only an expert on the court, but he also knows a thing or two when it comes to the art of basketball shoes. With more than 300 pairs to his name, the shoe obsessed-player can't resist the latest and most in-style fashion; just ask the rest of his teammates.

This shoe fiend may assist people to find the best shoe deal, but his best contribution is being a mentally and physically tough leader for the rest of his team.

We sat down with him to discuss the past, present, and future of his career at TCU.

On being a top scorer throughout his career:
"That's just something that I've been fortunate to receive. My first two years I took the role of being the point guard and was thrown into the role of being a scorer. I really just enjoy being a team player."

On the proudest moment of his whole career:
"The most recent win we had at home against New Mexico when we came back from being down by 18 points. It was a great team effort, and we all just had a lot of fun playing out there."

On the biggest leadership challenge as captain for the team:
"I have to stay patient with the younger guys on the team. I have to put myself in their shoes because I was there once too. I have been here for four years so I know a lot of things going on, but I know it's going to take time for them to catch up just like it did for me."

On the feeling behind playing a non-conference game versus a conference game:
"We prepare the same for every game, but there's more intensity in a conference game because it's like family. We all want to be on top, and we all compete to be the best."

On this year's team chemistry:
"Our chemistry is really good. You just saw us in the gym joking and wrestling with one another, that's a typical day for us. We are all just having a lot of fun."

On overcoming past injuries:
"The people of Fort Worth have always been there to give me a pat on the back and support me through it all. I would sometimes doubt myself, but they are always there pushing me to get back on the court."

On managing a busy traveling schedule and staying ahead in classes:
"It can be really tough. It's hard going on the road then coming home again and having to go to study hall and do homework. Our coaches do a great job of managing our schedule. We get to have our own time, and we can do things that we want to do, but they set us up into the direction that we need to be going."

On his goals for the remainder of the season:
"We want to be the conference champions and to get a NCAA tournament bid."

On the NBA player he most models himself after:
"I really like Chauncey Billups because he is such an all-around player. He plays point guard and can also play the two and is just a well-rounded player."

On his enormous shoe collection and the inspiration behind it:
"Nike has done a really good job of making shoes that people love and collecting shoes happens to be my thing."

TCU Athletic Media Relations