His Airness: Interviewing Aaron ‘Air’ Gordon

Just hours before he participates in the NBA Dunk Contest, I got the opportunity to talk to Aaron Gordon about his college experience, dunking and Sean Miller’s sweat.

Benjamin Kim, CEO of UPTIME Energy added, “Aaron Gordon is a natural fit with the UPTIME brand as he personifies positive energy. We’re proud to share this time with him as he embarks on another NBA All-Star Game Dunk Contest. We, like the fans, can’t wait to see how Aaron has elevated his energy to create another mind-blowing performance.”

Hey Aaron, how’s All-Star weekend treating you?

It’s good man, it’s actually very gorgeous out right now.

I’m going to take you back to your Arizona days to start off, what was it like being such a big star back then and having such a great team especially in college?

Oh man, it was awesome. All you had to do was come out and play harder than the other team and you won, that’s kind of how it went. You get to be around Sean Miller and around a bunch of guys that love basketball at the college level. Being apart of that organization, being a part of Arizona basketball was amazing and it’s something that’ll never forget.

Is there a game from your college career that sticks out to you either good or bad?

The Wisconsin game, elite eight. We should have won. It was kind of a shoulda-coulda-woulda game. It was one game where if you win I think we could have won the natty. So it's definitely got to me.

Do you think about it now? Does it run through your mind every now and then?

No not really. I'm focused on the present moment.

Aaron, be honest, have you talked to Sean [Miller] about the sweating?

[Chuckles] No, no I haven't talked to him about that. I do remember he completely went through one of his shirts in Hawaii I believe.

I've seen that guy sweat through like 3 shirts, that guy needs something?

[Chuckles] He works hard.

What was the toughest venue you had to play in during your college career?

Oh, Michigan. It was a tough environment to play in. We were No. 4 at that time and they were lined up outside of our bus chanting at us before the game even started. It was a good one; we went in there and got a win.

Does that [chanting] affect you any?

Oh I love that stuff, that's why you play sports. You just try and prove the naysayers wrong.

Who was the best player you played in college?

You know, i’m not sure. I was just so focused on our team and how well we were doing. We went 22-0 before we lost. I think TJ McDonald was one of the best college players I played with.

Since you guys went 22-0, what was the locker room like?

Oh man, it felt great. It was a good team to be a part of. Fun guys, I'm still friends with all these guys and it was a great time.

If you could go back to college would you or would you do everything the same?

Nah, I would do everything the same. I had a really good time in college, I had a good year. It would have been nice to win a national title but that didn't happen. I saw my opportunity and I saw my dream and I realized it.

Before a game what kind of music do you listen to? Are you trying to stay melo or are you getting to get hype?

I try to get hype. I listen to rap, I listen to whatever. Lil Wayne, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick [Lamar], J Cole. You know I just listen to all kinds of rap, Future, whatever kind of gets you in a rhythm.

Kind of shifting onto this weekend, everyone knows you from the dunk contest and literally jumping over buildings, so I just want to know who your favorite dunker of all time is?

Vince Carter is my favorite dunker of all time. I love his balance between power and grace. His athleticism is unbelievable.

Is there a particular dunk of his that sticks out to you?

Yeah the super fly 360 Windmill.

Are we going to see some of that tonight?

No, I like to be original with my dunks. I like to do my own thing and do things that have never been done before.

I know you take your dunking seriously so are we going to see any special props tonight?

I guess you have to tune in and see.