Keith Wilkinson is a 6'10", 225 lb junior forward for the USC Trojans. A key big man off the bench, Wilkinson was averaging 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds heading into Pac-10 conference play. This season, USC has parlayed their tournament success from 2007 into a 9-3 record. With one of the most exciting freshman classes in team history, USC looks to play spoiler in the Pac-10 this year. Wikinson discusses USC's talented freshmen, as well as his own uncanny ability to shoot the three-ball, in this interview with Joshua Fischman.

Joshua Fischman: What has been your favorite moment so far in a Trojans uniform?

Keith Wilkinson: Beating Texas to advance to the Sweet Sixteen and hitting a big three-pointer to beat Arizona last season.

JF: Talk about the freshman talent on the roster this year.

KW: Our freshmen are very talented. Obviously O.J. [Mayo] and Davon [Jefferson] but Angelo Johnson and Marcus Simmons add great depth to our bench and Mamadou Diarra [is] an absolute freak athletically. Once he develops, his game will be great.

JF: Describe the 2007-08 Trojans basketball team. What is special about the team and what is the team capable of?

KW: The team is very deep and full of weapons. All five guys out on the court are serious threats and it is hard to load up against one or two players because, if you do, the other three, no matter who it may be, will beat you. We also play agressive, lock-down defense. [We're] capable of winning a national championship.

JF: The Pac-10 conference looks very strong this year. Can you give us a preview of the conference?

KW: [The] Pac-10 is probably the strongest division, top to bottom, in the country. It's always a battle and once you get into league play it's about staying healthy and protecting home court.

JF: What did the team take from close, tough losses to arguably the two best teams in the nation, Kansas and Memphis?

KW: We knew that we could beat both of the country's best if we could just finish. All we need to learn as a team is to play a full 40 minute game and close teams out when they come at us with their spurts.

JF: Who were your sports heroes growing up?

KW: My sports hero growing up [was] John Elway. I was born in Denver and played football my entire life and absolutely loved John Elway.

JF: Talk about your NCAA tournament experience.

KW: My NCAA tournament experience was great. We had two big wins and then a disappointing loss. But it was my first tme ever experiencing [the tournament] after growing up and watching it on T.V. I think it is the best event in all of sports because of how much passion people play with.

JF: Talk about your team's big tournament win against Texas [last season]. What were your impressions of Kevin Durant?

KW: Last year's team was so talented. I wish we could have continued to play on and advance past North Carolina because we were playing really good basketball. We felt unstoppable. But Kevin Durant is an amazing athlete because he is deceivingly strong and sooo long. He is hard to defend because he can get a shot from anywhere. I believe he will be a great pro.

JF: What did you take from the tough loss to North Carolina that ended last season's tourney run?

KW: With the loss to North Carolina, it gave us a taste of what it felt like to get to the NCAA tournament and what it takes to advance. Now, this year, we are hungry to get back to the tourney and continue to improve and show the nation that USC is a basketball powerhouse.

JF: What are your personal and team goals for the season?

KW: Personally, all I want to do is win a national championship and that is the team's goal as well. Whatever it takes.

JF: At 6'10", how does it feel to be so tall? What are the advantages and disadvantages, in life and in basketball?

KW: It is great being tall. I love it on and off the court because you are noticed all the time. The only disadvantage is when I go bald, I will have a ton of scars on the top of my head from hitting random things that are not made for people of my size.

JF: Even though you weren't born when he was playing, talk about your dad's NFL career [Keith's dad is Jerry Wilkinson, who played for the Rams and Browns]. What has he told you about it?

KW: My dad has told me he loved playing in the NFL and that it took hard work and determination. He would be the first one in and the last one to leave. No one thought he could it because he was too tall to be playing football and he proved them wrong. My dad is my hero. If I can be half the man he is today, I [will] be proud.

JF: Anything else you would like to add?

KW: Just like to thank God for blessing me with this tremendous opportunity to be playing in my home state and in the best conference. Gotta show love to my mom as well because without her, I would not be here today. She is an angel.

Now that you've read this interview with Keith, be sure to watch USC as they begin Pac-10 play tonight against Cal. Also, be sure to continue reading about Pac-10 basketball all week as the Deli reveals our All-Pac-10 Senior team on January 4th. For our All-Freshman and All-Sophomore Pac-10 teams, click on the appropriate links. For Keith's feature, the All-Junior team, click here.

For further coverage of NCAA sports, check out our interviews in the Davis Sports Deli Archives .