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Q&A with And1's Air Up There |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 20 July 2006 |
 We can’t seem to keep Taurian Fontenette, aka "Air Up There" from the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour, off of our Dimemag website. A couple months ago we posted a video of Air Up There pulling off a between-the-legs 360, a dunk that ESPN "City Slam" finalist High Rizer told us only two people in the world can do (Rizer being the other). Then last week we got our hands on a video of Air Up There rocking a 720 dunk from the Mix Tape Tour’s recent stop in Houston. You can check out the video for yourself right here.
As a new member of the AND 1 team, Air Up There is still somewhat of an unknown. Born in Galveston, Texas, the 6-2 Fontenette played ball at Hitchcock (Texas) High School, where he was an all-conference forward. He attended UTEP for a year as a redshirt, and also made stops at Richland Junior College and Paul Quinn College. At Richland, Fontenette put up 14 points and 10 boards a game, leading his squad to a third-place national finish.
When the AND 1 tour rolled through Texas last summer, Fontenette was working as a security guard at a chemical plant. He gave AND 1 a shot, and stuck on the tour long enough to win a contract going into this year. We caught up with the 23-year-old rising star earlier this week while he was in New York City, starting out on what would be an onslaught of interviews and appearances due to his newfound fame...
Dime: How long have you been able to do a 720?
Air: That was actually the first time I’ve made one. I’d tried it before, like once or twice in practice. I was gonna pull it out in New York (on the tour) last year, but I broke my foot again in that game. I figured, what better time to pull it out than in Houston.
Dime: Why is that?
Air: Houston was a big spot for me, you know, because that’s where I came onto the tour last year and I’m, like, the hometown kid. I’m trying to put the South on the map with AND 1; I’m the only player from Texas on the team. So I knew I had to come out with something really spectacular to make the crowd really get behind me and put the South on my back.
Dime: On that particular play, when did you know you were going for the 720?
Air: My mind was blank, really. Every time I dunk, I never really think of what I’m gonna do. Now it’s just another dunk in my repertoire.
Dime: What’s the hardest part of doing a 720? Is it the spins or is it simply finishing the dunk?
Air: Every bit of the dunk is hard. You have to jump from the right angle, and your focus has to be right because when you turn around the first time, you don’t know where you are. When you come around the second time, you have to really watch the goal because it can pass you up so quick. Every bit is hard; there’s nothing easy about that dunk.
Dime: Some people who have seen the tape criticize you, saying you didn’t get all the way around the second time. What’s your response to that?
Air: If you look back at the dunk contests from back in the day and you see a guy do a 360, like how he jumps and everything, then look at me. I did it twice, so what’s 360 twice? 720. So for all those people out there that don’t believe, whatever. I don’t care. I know I did it.
Dime: Who are some of your favorite dunkers?
Air: Michael Jordan, Dominique, Vince Carter … I’ve been watching the new guy, James White. I still look up to Helicopter and Spyda (from AND 1). Another of my influences is Half-Man Half-Amazing and Main Event. I used to watch them on the mix tapes and now I feel like I can hold it down for them and keep the dunks alive.
Dime: What’s the best dunk you’ve ever seen?
Air: James White, when he went between the legs from the free throw line. That’s a really sick dunk. And the 360 windmill that Vince did has to be one of the top ones.
Dime: Before the 720, what was your signature dunk?
Air: The 360 between the legs, definitely. I’ve been doing it since my senior year of high school.
Dime: Obviously you need hops to pull off the dunks that you do, but what is another important physical aspect of dunking?
Air: A lot of jumping comes from your abs. You have to have strength everywhere, not just your calf muscles. Sit-ups and toe raises, that’s what I would recommend.
Dime: Are those a big part of your workout?
Air: Honestly, I can’t say I work out a lot. Most of my jumping ability is natural.
Dime: What’s your vertical?
Air: I get asked that a lot, but I don’t know. I never tested it.
Dime: How long does it take for you and the guards on the tour to develop the chemistry necessary to do some of those alley oops?
Air: After a couple of games we got it down. At first, me and AO wasn’t getting it off like he normally would. But after a couple games you get a feel of where he’s going to be. AO and Helicopter have a mental thing, like AO knows what side he’s going to be on, so he can be looking one way and know where Helicopter is coming from. Me, it’s a little different because I like coming from different spots. But AO, Professor and Pharmacist, we all connect pretty good.
Dime: We all know you can dunk, but what kind of ballplayer are you?
Air: I like to be a role player. If you need me to rebound, I can go and rebound. If you need defense, I can get in there and play defense. Anything the coach wants me to do, I’m there to do it for you.
Dime: What’s the most underrated part of your game?
Air: My passing. I love to pass the ball. I love to see other people succeed in basketball, and I love to give highlights to other people. If I was on a fast break and there was another dunker with me, I’d be the one to pass to him.
DimeMag.com
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