Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jon Eilts [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jon Eilts [Click to enlarge]

Whoever said that it requires size to play basketball never met B.J. Holmes.

Holmes is a junior shooting guard for the Texas A&M men's basketball team who is listed at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 175 pounds. Regardless of his size, Holmes will match-up with anyone on the other side of the ball.

"People say you are too small for this, but I have never had a problem with it," Holmes said. "I will guard anybody, play anybody, no matter their size. I just go out there and play hard every night and try to show people you don't have to be the tallest, strongest or fastest guy."

Holmes entered Texas A&M in the fall of 2007, the same year Head Coach Mark Turgeon took over the A&M coaching position. Recruited by then A&M Coach Billy Gillespie, Holmes along with the other incoming recruits decided the coaching change was not enough to keep them out of Aggieland.

"It was a long process with Coach Gillespie leaving and Coach Turgeon coming in," Holmes said. "My whole class with DeAndre [Jordan], Nate [Walkup] and Derrick Roland all said I think Coach Turgeon is going to be pretty good. We all decided to stay and that ended up being a good decision."

Another influence on his decision to join the Aggies was that A&M was the closest school to his family in Houston. Holmes dreamed of the opportunity to play college basketball at a place where his family could come to his games, so A&M was an easy choice.

"My family wanted to see me play and this was the closest place to home," Holmes said. "Growing up we didn't have everything I wanted, but my parents were able to get everything we needed. I do it for them, try to make them look good, and they are my biggest influence."

To sum up the type of play Holmes displays on the court, one only needs to look as far as his left and right biceps, which combine to read, "Fear Nothing."

After entering into a tattoo parlor one night with teammates DeAndre Jordan and Derrick Roland, Holmes said he decided it was time to add something to his empty biceps. After much consideration, Holmes said he landed the phrase "Fear Nothing (except God)" and has tried to play by it since.

"I went with ['Fear Nothing'] last year and it helped me out because I played by 'Fear Nothing,'" Holmes said. "I tried to go out there and play with the bigs, bang with the bigs and do all the little stuff. I tried to play hard, play with toughness and I think that does sum me up a little bit about my game."

As the Aggies enter the 2009-2010 season, many have begun discussing the possibility of Holmes taking the role of 3-point shooter in the Aggies' lineup. With Josh Carter, the school record holder in the 3-point category, no longer on the team many expect Holmes to fill his shoes.

Despite the talk, Holmes said he chooses not to label himself as just a 3-point shooter, but rather a team player.

"Whatever my team needs I will do," Holmes said. "If they need me to shoot a three, I will shoot a three. If they need me to shoot a two, I will shoot a two. As me being that guy that shoots three, I don't like to tie myself down to that one person because I can do so much more."

With the 2009-2010 season here, Holmes has yet to set personal goals for the season nor does he plan to. Unlike most players who set goals for themselves, Holmes leaves the goal category empty except for one: winning.

"If I set personal goals, I go out there and try to complete my goals instead of just playing the game," Holmes said. "I don't really have any personal goals just because I just want to go out there and do what I know how to do. I have been doing this my whole life. In the game, the goal I am trying to reach is to win."

Favorite Place to Eat: Texas Roadhouse

Favorite Movie: "Little Giants" (likes Icebox)

Favorite TV Show: "Martin"

Favorite Sport other than Basketball: Football

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