In this edition of Cougar Corner, we sat down with Darius Goudeau, a junior transfer from Mesa, Arizona. 

Goudeau and the Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team have two games left in 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday night and at Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday night. For the full schedule, click here. 

Q: How's life as student-athlete at CSUSM?
It's good, it's actually different than what I'm used to. I've lived at home with my dad all of my life in Mesa, Arizona, so it's different living alone and being with my teammates. Campus is a lot bigger than what I'm used to. There's a lot of walking. I live right down the street from here and walk to school too. The community is great as well.

Q: What brought you to CSUSM?
I got injured my senior year of high school. So I rehabbed, and the old assistant coach started recruiting me at a junior college. I came on my visit out here where I met Coach B.J. and Khalil, one of the seniors on the team. We just walked around campus and went to a couple places to eat around here, and just being around the guys, it just felt like I should be here. There were a lot of conversations about what our goals were for the upcoming season, and they aligned. It just didn't seem like I was supposed to go anywhere else. 

Q: Favorite place on campus?
I mean, I have to go with our gym, the Sports Center. Whenever I can, I'm in there. 

Q: Are you involved with other groups on campus?
I'm a SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) member. Bryce and I are on that committee. 

Q: Favorite class?
To be honest, it's my hardest class right now but Chicano and Chicana Studies. It's just really interesting to me. 

Q: How did you get into basketball?
My best friend and I started playing on a basketball team together in first or second grade. Ever since then, we played together. We had a group of friends that played together all through high school, and we ended up winning state our senior year. Haven't left it since.
 

Q: Who's the best dancer on the team? Dancer… Best dancer? I'm definitely going to have to go with Sean.
Q: Who's the funniest person on the team?  Jayce, hands down.
Q: Describe your team in one word:  Unique.

Q: What pumps you up before game time?
What pumps me up is trying to pump up other people. I try to get other people started and seeing them get pumped gets me ready. 

Q: Favorite part of traveling?
Just being with the team and the comradery that happens. I know from high school that I don't remember the games, I remember the trips, so just taking in those moments and being with them.

Q: If you aren't at practice or in class what are you most likely doing?
Laying in bed playing video games.

Q: Favorite pre-competition meal?
Pasta, specifically with Alfredo sauce.

Q: What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you during practice or weights?
Yesterday a ball came really hard off the rim. I don't know who shot it, but they bricked it. It hit me in the face immediately. I didn't have any time to react!
 

Q: If you could be any animal, what would it be? A honey badger because they might not look feisty, but they take on lions and tigers. Honey badgers are not to be played with.

Q: Where's your favorite place to eat?
There's this wing place back home that has the best wings! Honey BBQ is my favorite, I don't do spicy. 

Q: What song is your go to right now? 
I don't know about song, but Post Malone is my favorite artist, so I just go through all of his stuff on repeat.

Q: Who's your favorite player in the NBA right now?
Derrick Rose. He and I have some things in common with knee problems, so I am pushing for that man.
 

Q: Which animated character does Coach Adam remind you of? One of the penguins from Madagascar because he is bald and smiling all the time.
Q: Fun fact? I have six sisters and two brothers.