Mosley Looks to Earn Place Among Baltimore's Elite

By Ryan Wood, iHoops.com

What was the transition from high school to college basketball like?
I was excited to play my first game. I got hurt at the beginning of the season and missed a couple of games. I put a lot of work in during the middle of the season and I was starting again and everything was different for me. It's different for me because in high school I was the go-to guy. My freshman year, basically I had to fit in where I get in. I had to play a role that other people had been doing. Loose balls, hustle plays. That's how I played.

What are your post-college plans?
If I'm fortunate enough to get to the NBA, that's one thing. If I don't, it will be something in sports, commentating or whatever. I'm majoring in communications. I have backup plans if I don't make it to the NBA or anything happens to me injury-wise.

How important is it to have that backup plan?
It's very important, because there's no guy that's going to play until he's 60. After the ball stops bouncing, you definitely have to have a backup plan. That's one thing I liked about Maryland. You play basketball here, you become an alum. At the end of the day, Maryland is always going to be there for you to support you. If you graduate from the University of Maryland, you always have a backup plan.

Did you meet friends at First Team that you still keep in touch with?
Definitely, you meet a lot of people. I played against Elliott Williams, I played against Chris Wright, Austin Freeman. I knew those guys from playing AAU basketball but I never really got the other side of the friendship. That draws you closer. Last year I was in First Team with Chris and Austin, and playing against them at Georgetown was kind of awkward because I'm used to playing against them at AAU basketball and now we're playing in college.

What was one thing you took out of First Team more than any other?
The main thing I took away from the camp was to always set your goals. I write my goals down and hang them up on the wall, and every time I achieve one of my goals, I check it off. Every year I do that. That's one thing I took from the camp.

Also, you never know who's watching you. Your image is a lot. No matter where I'm at, I always watch the things I do and the people I hang around.

What advice would you have for kids invited to First Team?
You can take it as a vacation, but don't. Think about the important things you're going to go through, as far as being recruited and making sure you're eligible for clearinghouse. Take it for what it's for and don't take it as a vacation.

You won the Mario Brown Award at First Team. What did that mean to you?
It meant a lot. It's an award that means a lot. Every kid doesn't get it, and I want to be different and special. Winning that award was an honor for me. Out of all those kids, for me to stand out, I definitely appreciate that award and take good care it.

What was your toughest matchup your first season in college?
Toughest matchup was probably Gerald Henderson, who played for Duke. He's definitely athletic guy and he plays similar to Kobe with his dribble-drive and his pull-away. He's got a nice fadeaway, and he's strong. I did a great job on him, but he's definitely tough.

What was the toughest ACC venue you played in?
(Duke's) Cameron (Indoor Stadium) was the toughest place I've ever played in. It's so small and it gets very loud. It's kind of tough to hear coach calling the plays and you barely hear yourself talk when you're playing there, especially when they get on a nice little run.