Q&A: Brad Daugherty

Last week, SI writer Richard Deitsch interviewed Brad Daugherty for the magazine's Q&A. The five-time NBA All-Star will work as an analyst on ESPN/ABC's upcoming NASCAR coverage.

SI: Most readers probably don't know that you wore No. 43 in high school and in the NBA in honor of Richard Petty

Daugherty: And I couldn't wear it at North Carolina because Curtis Hunter, my freshman roommate, wore it. We had to flip a coin for it and he did not represent the 43 very well (laughs). But I met Richard Petty when I was a young fellow. Here I was, this young African-American kid at Daytona, probably 7 or 8 years old, and we just talked. He asked me what I liked to do, and he told me he was glad to see me at the race track. That made a huge impact on me. I told myself if I ever became famous, I would always take time to speak to anyone.

SI: Did your NBA teammates know where the number 43 came from?

Daugherty: All of them knew. Larry Nance was also a gear head and we used to go drag racing events all the time. When I was playing with the Cavs, we would go out to the racetrack and run laps and do time trials. Larry knew my love of racing. Round and round racing he would call it. We would just talk racing and the guys thought we were idiots. Who are these two African-Americans guys, and all they talk about is racing?

SI: With this role, you become the most visible African-American covering the sport. How significant is that?

Daugherty: To be honest, that's the main reason I'm doing this. When I initially thought about doing this, I was retired, playing a lot of bad golf, and doing whatever my wife told me to do. Why would I jump into a job that has me running from track to track? I said to myself, if I don't accept this opportunity, I don't know who else will get it. I feel a lot of responsibility because of that.

SI: Will your visibility create more interest in NASCAR among people of color?

Daugherty: I'm hoping through my experiences that I can create some opportunities for other folks who are minorities to participate in the sport. I've done stuff with NASCAR's Diversity Council, and I've worked closely with NASCAR to try to create programs for drivers and people to be involved in race teams. You have to look at the broader picture and this is a big opportunity. If I screw it up, there might not be another one going forward.

SI: Have you always wanted to be broadcaster?