Personal
Full Name: Jeron Joseph Tauai
Birthdate: April 4, 1985
Birthplace: Springfield, Mo.
Parents: DeAnna Chaffin and Al Tauai
Siblings: Damon (34), Shon (33), Tearra (30), Chris (29), Marc (28), Terry (26), Shara (25) and Derek (23)
Major: Administration of Criminal Justice
High School Coach: Brad Stewart
Raftery’s Read
A couple of comments made by CBS-TV analyst Bill Raftery about J.J. Tauai during Bradley’s 2006 NCAA Tournament games at the Palace of Auburn Hills:
“He knows his role, Jim Les said. Just whatever he can do to make this team better ... and win.”
After grabbing an offensive rebound late in the first half of the Kansas game
“He can do it. They just don’t ask him to do it often. The guy just does anything to help his club perform and excel.”
After draining a corner 3-pointer in the final minute of the first half versus Kansas.
2005-06 (Junior)
? Thrust into the backup point guard role due to the suspension of Will Franklin, Tauai handled his new role by posting a 3.3 assists-to-turnover ratio in the season’s first six games.
? Saw his playing time disappear upon Franklin’s insertion into the rotation, but kept his head up and started the last 19 games in a 3-guard alignment, helping the Braves to a 14-5 record in his new role.
? Although he averaged only 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in those 19 starts, Tauai’s 2.0 assists-to-turnover ratio and lockdown defense were keys for the Braves.
? Shot 59.4 percent (19-32) from the field in the last 20 games.
? Followed up an eight-point, three-steal performance in the first round versus Kansas with one of the more effective scoreless 20 minutes a player can contribute in the second-round upset of Pittsburgh (three assists, one turnover and continued strong defense).
? Despite another scoreless effort, Tauai was tabbed Bradley’s “Player of the Game” by the television broadcast team of Mitch Holthus and Charlie Spoonhour in the Feb. 14 win versus Southern Illinois, thanks to his career-best eight assists and five steals.
2004-05 (Sophomore)
? Tauai remained one of Bradley’s top reserves, averaging 15.6 minutes per game, primarily as a back-up at both the point guard and shooting guard positions.
? Tauai was Bradley’s most consistent defensive performer.
2003-04 (Freshman)
? Tauai received the most playing time of Bradley’s four newcomers in 2003-04, averaging
17.5 minutes per game, primarily backing up the trio of senior guards Phillip Gilbert, James
Gillingham and Marcello Robinson.
? Although foul trouble limited his effectiveness in the first meeting against his hometown
Missouri State Bears, Tauai enjoyed his best game of the year in the return game against MSU by sinking all five of his 3-point tries in a 19-point outburst March 1 at Carver Arena.
? Perhaps the team’s most versatile player, the 6-foot-3 Tauai pulled down at least four rebounds nine times and he dished out at least three assists six times.
? During a three-game home winning streak versus Northern Iowa, Illinois State and
Northern Illinois, Tauai averaged 3.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
At Verona H.S.
? A first-team all-state performer as a senior, Tauai led Verona High School to the 2003
Missouri Class A state championship and a 32-0 record.
? The school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,036 points, Tauai averaged 28.5 points and 7.0 rebounds during his senior season.
? By becoming Verona’s career scoring leader, Tauai also become his family’s career scoring leader, which is no small feat when you consider he was the fifth of the seven Tauai brothers to top 1,000 career points at Verona.
? Tauai was the unanimous pick as the Ozark 8 League Most Valuable Player as both a junior and senior.
Personal
? The youngest of nine children, each of Tauai’s six brothers and two sisters played basketball at Verona High School.
? Tauai teamed with current Bradley sophomore Sam Singh on the same AAU team during the summer of 2002.
In His Own Words
On growing up as the youngest of nine children ...
Being the youngest of nine made me learn to share at a young age. I have had eight great examples of how to grow and mold myself into a man that would make my parents proud. Not to mention the different coaches (brothers) I’ve had all my life.
On the relationship with his daughter, Addison ...
My daughter is the most important thing in my life. Everything else is a far, distant second. I love her with all that I am and will do anything to give her the best chance to succeed in life. I owe her everything for the strength and inspiration she gives me.
On his role for the 2005-06 Braves ...
My role on last year’s team was to do a little bit of everything and do it with a lot of energy. My main focus before every game was to not let my man score!
On his outlook for his senior season ...
After the joy and excitement from last year, I want to help lead this team in the same successful direction.
Quick Answers
Favorite food ...
Cheeseburgers
If I wasn’t playing basketball, I would be ...
At home working and helping on the farm
The job I hated most ...
Hauling hay
Favorite Coach Les phrase ...
“Get down”
The most famous person I have ever met ...
Brad Pitt
Five Questions
with Dave Reynolds (Peoria Journal Star beat writer)
How much of an impact to outsiders’ expectations of a team, whether they’re high or low, have on the players?
I really don’t feall like they have a lot of effect on the team. When we step on the floor, we know that all we have is each other and the only opinions that matter are the ones of the guys going to battle with you.
What did it mean to you to be selected a co-captain last season?
I felt honored that the team had trusted me as one of their leaders last year. I could not say “Thank you” enough to my teammates for them to fully understand how much it meant to me!
With the Braves losing their top four scorers, will you look to shoot more this year?
I will do whatever is asked of me by the team an coach to obtain a win!
What did Bradley’s NCAA run mean to the program?
It meant a lot to our program. It gave the program more confidence and belief that hard work and sacrifice pay off in the long run. The program is back on track and we intend to do everything possible to keep it that way.
How do you want to be remembered at Bradley?
I want to be remembered as one of the most competitive players to ever wear a Bradley jersey. A person who would do anything for a win, because I hate to lose.
