Meet the well-rounded Jason Conrad

We watch basketball players performing and what do we see?

Basketball being played (duh!), whether it be a high school talent, a collegiate all-conference star or even Lebron James himself.

But the lens we are viewing with constricts our vantage point, always whittling the human beings in front of us to single dimensional status. Their participation in roundball solely defines them.

So reverse the image and what do these talents see when perusing the stands during games?

Basketball fans (another duh!).

Is that a well-rounded and comprehensive assessment of us?

Hardly.

In reality, the basketball talents are in many ways just like us, this despite a remarkable skills set. So are authors, politicians, short order cooks, doctors, coaches and so on. Plying a trade is but one of many facets that make up all of us. There may be major salary and lifestyle differentials but we all bleed and hurt at times, seek nurturing relationships, fall short in many capacities and certainly have multiple and varied interests.

So mind-melding all this, what comes to mind when you see a 7-footer in his 20s, adorned with multiple tats?

Gotta be a basketball player.

Well, why not a fine artist of multiple mediums who also possesses the skills of a multi-starred chef?

Jason Conrad represents all three, and still much more.

Yes, he stands at a full-fledged 84 inches.

Yes, he played basketball at Gilroy High, at Chico State and soon to be professionally in Europe. 

But he also sketches and paints while also being able to whip up multiple culinary delights.

Besides Conrad, can you name one other individual in their early twenties who would most like to meet Leonardo da Vinci (let alone know of da Vinci)? 

Granted, how are fans to discern these talents unless a gallery showing is held and an appearance on one of the myriad of television cooking shows occurs?

So now you know a bit more about Conrad the person. Just remember it's a cross-section of humanity and what makes them tick that you're surrounded by and witnessing the next time at a game.

The next professional step for the newly married Conrad will be heading to Holland to play as a member of the ZZ Leiden franchise, which will also be representing the country in the Eurocup event. He has a two-year contract.

Just imagine the sketching and painting opportunities this will present along with new recipes to try and collect.

So why the lure of the art, basketball and cuisine trifecta? "I come from an artistic family (he majored in art at Chico State), my parents were college athletes (plus his sister played volleyball at San Jose State University) and I love to eat."

This is someone who fully embraces his unique self.

On the court, Conrad said his best moment to date was "winning the CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) championship." That took place in February 2012 after the Wildcats were chosen by the league's coaches during pre-season to finish in the seventh spot.

Asked what he might serve as a first dinner to impress, Conrad matter-of-factly offered, "home pulled pork with whiskey barbeque sauce."

Just tell me when and where to show up.

Post basketball, "I want to get a teaching credential," Conrad explained -- yet another venture.

He played for Bud Ogden and also Jeremy Dirks while at Gilroy High and Conrad looks at both as his biggest basketball influences. With Dirks, there is a special bond: "he's been there from the start. I met Jeremy at the end of my freshman year and since then there has been only a couple of days that we haven't talked. I probably wouldn't be where I am with out him.'

Attending Conrad's recent wedding were many teammates from his Chico State days, plus current Wildcat Head Coach Greg Clink, former Chico assistant Gus Argenal who now heads the Cal State East Bay program, as well as Dirks, Ogden and many others. No word on whether Conrad catered the affair.

Conrad sports a cross tattoo on his back which accompanies the words "you pay the price for the life you choose."

Touching words for a well-chosen life, one still blossoming and bursting with self-expression.