Q A With 1 PG Shaun Livingston

RivalsHoops.com sat down with Shaun Livingston at the recent Spiece Run N Slam Tournament in Ft. Wayne, Ind., to get an in-depth perspective into the 6-foot-6, 170-pound point guard's recruiting scenario. The gifted Peoria, Illinois athlete is RivalsHoops.com's number one point guard in the class of 2004 and number seven overall.

Livingston told us that he had pared his list to just five schools this spring. The five are Florida, Illinois, Duke, Louisville and Arizona. He has scheduled his first official visit for later this month (May 30-June 1) to Florida.

Here is the transcript of that interview:

RivalsHoops.com: Shaun, you just mentioned that you eliminated Kansas from consideration. Any reason why you decided to knock them out?

Shaun Livingston: I was looking at them when Roy Williams was there. Coach Self left kind of a bitter taste in my mouth when he left Illinois. Not because I like Illinois a lot, but because Brian [Randle] and Rich [McBride] were recruited by him. I don't think he promised them anything, but they were kind of deceiving words. There's no hard feelings. He did what he had to do and that was his dream job.

RH: You referred to Brian Randle and Richard McBride who of course played with you last summer on the Ft. Sooy squad. Do they have any misgivings about how things went down?

SL: No, I haven't talked to them yet, so I am not sure.

RH: If Coach Self were to come in this summer and make a strong pitch, would you listen?

SL: I would listen to what he has to say, but that doesn't mean that I am considering Kansas. Right now, I'm not. We'll just see what happens, but I doubt it.

RH: Illinois hired Bruce Weber from Southern Illinois last week, What were your impressions of the hire and how does it affect your interest in Illinois?

SL: I haven't even had a chance to talk to Coach Weber. He hasn't spoken to me either or given me a call. I will just see what he has to say. It is going to be interesting to see how well I get along with his staff and everything.

RH: So how come Illinois is still on your list with Self leaving?

SL: It's the in-state school and I have always been looking at Illinois. They were recruiting me when Lon Kruger was there, so that's a long-time school.

RH: You are also looking at Duke, Louisville and Florida, and you have your first official visit set up for Florida at the end of May. Why did you decide to visit Florida first and what are your impressions of the Gator program?

SL: They talked to me when they came in for a school visit, and they said that they wanted to get me in early. I told them I probably wouldn't make a decision until before the season, maybe sometime in the fall. They said they still wanted to get me down there early and see what the university is all about. I thought that was OK, because trying to cramp five visits in the fall would be hard. I don't even know if I will take five anyway, but I figured I would get one out of the way.

RH: You also like Louisville and Arizona, but Louisville hasn't offered. Are you looking at some kind of timetable for them to either offer you or not offer you?

SL: No, I am not looking at any kind of timetable. I've been interested in them because of Rick Pitino. I've always loved Rick Pitino. He was a great coach at Kentucky, and I grew up watching Kentucky. I doubt that they will probably offer me anyway. I heard Sebastian Telfair is looking there pretty strongly, so they have guards already lined up. But we'll see how it goes. They are supposed to come in and talk to me.

RH: Does that kind of stuff affect your outlook? For instance, if another top guard in the class of 2004 commits to a school you are considering, would that take that school off your list?

SL: We'll see. I can't say it will. We'll just have to see how it goes. Like at Arizona, Salim Stoudamire and Jason Gardner played together. So you never know.

RH: Lastly, talk a little bit about Arizona. Obviously, the school is known for churning out great college guards and great pro guards. Guys like Gilbert Arenas. What's your interest level in them and are they a real strong part of your process?

SL: Definitely. I like Arizona a lot and I think they like me a lot. I've been looking at them because it's my dream to get to the NBA and they turn out real good NBA guards and college guards. I also like Lute Olson, he's a good guy and a great coach. I am pretty cool with the coaching staff, too.

RH: Is it true that you got injured working out for Arizona Head Coach Lute Olson a few weeks ago?

SL: It was Josh Pastner, the assistant. That's when I got hurt, before we went to Houston (for the Kingwood Classic). I tweaked my ankle again -- the same ankle I hurt at the states. I did it in Philly (at the Charlie Weber) and I did it again the next week.

RH: Are you OK now?

SL: I am not 100 percent, but I am getting better. I am probably around 70 something percent.

RH: You hear so many high school kids talk about going to the NBA. A lot of guys almost look at themselves as a failure if they are not in the NBA before their sophomore year of college. How do you look at the situation? Do you look at college as a four-year ride, or are you looking at it as something different?

SL: I am looking at college and I would like to get my degree. If the NBA comes calling and it's that right time, then I would have to decide my future at that point in time. I am not in a rush to get anywhere. I want to make sure I am ready when I go. I want everything to go smooth. I am not going to rush myself. However long it takes to get there, I am willing to go that route.

RH: Is your list static, and what I mean by that is unchangeable? Are you at these five schools and you won't consider adding anyone else?

SL: I can't say that. Anything can happen. I don't think it's set that these are my top five schools. I would like these to be my top five schools, but if something else happens.... I like Roy Williams, and he is at North Carolina, so you never know what could happen there. We'll just see. It's still open. It's not wide open like it was with everybody else, but it's still open for some schools. I am fortunate to be in such a situation. I am just taking advantage of my opportunities and see what school is the best for me.

RH: I guess you never know what to expect. Look at what happened with Larry Eustachy at Iowa State. Who would have thought two weeks ago that he'd be out of a job. So these five are your top schools now, but a lot could happen between now and the signing period.

SL: Anything can happen. Like you just said. Something could happen at one of the universities that I don't like or something that goes against my beliefs. Like the Georgia thing. If that does happen, then I would have to sit down with the people that are helping me and influencing me on my college decision and see where we are at.

RH: Are you going to sign early?

SL: I would like to, before the season. I will see how it goes.