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Chat Reel: Jamaal Tinsley

Nation's top point guard returns for senior season

A first-team All-Big 12 selection and second in the conference in assists, Jamaal Tinsley looks to lead Iowa State this season. Brian Bahr/Allsport

He would have been the top point guard in June's NBA draft. Instead, Jamaal Tinsley shunned the money and returned to Iowa State for his senior year.

Gone from the Cyclones' roster is Marcus Fizer, but Tinsley thinks Iowa State will still compete for the Big XII title this year. Tinsley spent some time chatting with CNNSI.com users on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Keep reading for a transcript.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Iowa State senior guard Jamaal Tinsley. Welcome, Jamaal. Thanks for taking some time for us.
Jamaal Tinsley: Thank you for having me.

From Robert Allen in Mission, Kan.: Jamaal, Best of luck this season! I really like this team we are bringing this year. How have you tried to help some of the newcomers adjust to the college game? What are you doing to improve your great game skills? Thanks.
Jamaal Tinsley: I'm trying to help the new guys out by letting them know how hard it is in practice, and how hard it is to go on the road to beat Kansas and other schools. For me, I want to play better than I did last year, and just take care of the ball more.

From goclonz: Will you be disappointed with anything lower than a lottery pick in the NBA draft?
Jamaal Tinsley: I have to work for that. I'm going out to play hard, and do better than I did last year. I know eyes will be on me. I just have to play my best.

From Scott King in Eden Prairie, Minn.: Jamaal, how's the kid from Minnesota (Jake Sullivan) looking in preseason workouts, and do you think he can add to the Cyclones' scoring punch on the perimeter?
Jamaal Tinsley: Oh, he'll help us a lot. Everyone can to score, we're not worried about that. Everyone has to play defense. He has some scoring ability, though. He's got to adjust to the defense.

From Mack Roberts in Braidwood, Ill.: Jamaal, as a huge Big XII fan, I was very glad to hear that you were staying for your senior year. It is wonderful for yourself, Iowa State and the Big XII. I would like to know how you think Iowa State will fair in the Big XII this year? Can you give me some idea as what you think a possible starting lineup will be?
Jamaal Tinsley: For the Big XII, we're going in kind of young, we have a lot of freshmen and junior college transfers. We have to go in playing hard, knowing we're the underdog. We'll have to play physical. I don't know about the starting five yet. It'll be me, Paul Shirley, and Kantrail Horton ... I don't know about the other two yet.

From D.B. Waller in Chicago: Should the student athlete be paid? What are you going to be for Halloween? (I heard Iverson is dressing up as Easy E.)
Jamaal Tinsley: I'm going to be myself for Halloween. I'm really not into dressing up and stuff. As for the first question, it seems like we do a lot of stuff, like we have a full-time schedule. I get up every morning to practice, then go to class, then practice more, lift weights and all that. We've got a full schedule. I get a free education out of it, that's how I look at it.

From Gary in Honolulu, Hawaii: How has the experience of playing against Gary Payton and Jason Kidd helped you?
Jamaal Tinsley: It helped me a lot, knowing what I have to do to get to that level. And basically how to keep one guy on the same side of the floor, not letting him penetrate all the time.

From Cory Kochiyama in Honolulu: What's up Jamaal? This past summer while you were in Hawaii with the U.S. Select Team, I was able to meet you and watch you play in person. I love your game, but my question is how is Iowa State going to do without Marcus Fizer?
Jamaal Tinsley: We're going to do well. He's one of our main scorers, but we have Paul Shirley and Kantrail Horton who can score this year. We seniors will have to score a lot, and get the new guys to play hard.

From Frank Dunnick in Mexico City: Hey Jamaal, great move in the last minutes of the Big 12 Championship last year making their point guard foul out. What will you get your degree in, and what do you see yourself doing after your basketball career ends, like 20 years from now?
Jamaal Tinsley: My major is sociology, I'll probably be a social worker.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Iowa State's Jamaal Tinsley. Thanks again for being here, Jamaal.
Jamaal Tinsley: Thanks for having me.

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