Q&A: Arizona State guard Jahii Carson

• Arizona State%27s Jahii Carson spoke with USA TODAY Sports about his life and the Sun Devils%27 season
• Carson is averaging 18.4 points%2C 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season

Jahii Carson, sophomore, point guard: Carson leads the Sun Devils with 18.4 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Arizona State (21-9, 10-7) is tied (with Colorado) for third in the Pac-12 behind conference leader No. 3 Arizona (28-2, 15-2) and UCLA (23-7, 12-5). In front of their home crowd last month, the Sun Devils upset Arizona 69-66 in double overtime to hand the Wildcats their second loss of the season.

If you were to participate in a dunk contest, which dunk would you go with?

I would probably go with throwing it up and go behind my back. I haven't really practiced that shot. I don't really practice dunks anymore, but you know, I can still do them because back in high school, I would do them all the time. So I still know I got the timing and jumping ability to do them.

What is your signature move?

I'll say my floater coming down the middle of the paint. I'm smaller than the average guard, so I got to come up and score, but it's harder, so I have to throw it up high. I really just use my speed and go as fast as I can past somebody and see if they can guard it.

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?

I like waffles. They got to be good ones, though. They can't be the soggy ones; they got to be a crispy, but not burnt waffles. I just need one signature Belgian waffle. …with hot syrup on it.

Who are your top three favorite artists?

I like Jay-Z, Trey Songs and Dom Kennedy.

Do you have any kind of routine you follow leading into game day?

I try to have a routine that I do throughout the whole day. I wake up at the same times on game days, and just try to be calm and positive throughout the whole day. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I won't. Sometimes I'll go out and just sit out while my team is shooting and listen to the music that the arena guys got playing, or sometimes I'll just stay in the locker room and listen to my music myself. But pretty much, I just try to be calm and be positive and be focused.

What is your major, and if you had to pick a career outside of basketball what would it be?

I'm a sociology major. I was just interested in it [because] my mom was taking sociology classes when she was in college, so I'm just trying to pick up where she left off. She ended up being a communications major, and she thought that being a sociology major would have been a good idea for her, if she was to go back and do it over. So I was a communications major at first, and then I switched to sociology because I didn't want to miss out on anything.

I really want to start my own business and have a clothing line to make street apparel and street wear. I'm not really sure (of the business name), I have a lot of different ideas in my head, but once that times come, it'll probably be pretty easy for me to pick out a name.

Are there any snack foods you keep an eye out for or request when you're traveling?

I've got to have Reese Cups. Lately, I've been having to have them. I've been killing them things. Whatever I can get my hands on – the king size ones those are better, but I'll go for the two pack. I also like Mike and Ike Zours.

Do you have a favorite show?

I really like Basketball Wives. I'm interested in that. I just think it's interesting these wives are on TV just letting people watch their all day, everyday lives. I like Draya: She's attractive to me, so I just pay attention to her.

What was it like taking down No. 3 Arizona in double overtime?

Well first, the game was tiring: It was two overtimes, so I think everybody on the court was tired and their bodies were locked. We were never nervous. I was never nervous. Anytime we get down in a game, we try to have supreme confidence still, because confidence helps people as far as making shots and making stops. So every time we get down in a situation, we try to be confident about it and not worry about it. The more nervous you become in a game, the more you're not able to make plays. So definitely not nervous. It was a great experience for all of us. The first time, I think, that at ASU we've been able to beat a top five team and storm the court.

How did it feel to be in the midst of a court storming?

It was great for the fans to experience that [and] to be at a game with such high octane and such energy. We played 50 minutes, and a lot of people don't get to experience a two-overtime game in person, let alone a rivalry game. To share that experience with my teammates and fans was great.

Do you feel any pressure being a hometown kid?

I mean yeah, there's pressure, but there's been pressure with me since I was in high school. I went to high school here, and I have a lot of people that I grew up with that wanted to see me play and came to every game. But that comes with the territory, so I never really worry about the pressure, but I know that it's around.

How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn't know you?

I'm just simple: I don't worry about what other people think. I just do it for myself and for God.

How did you get your name?

My parents gave it to me: It's a Nigerian name.

Do you know why they picked the name?

I'm not sure. I just think they hadn't met too many people, let alone in the United States with my name, let alone in the world. So I think they just thought that was a good name to have because I'm unique.