SYDNEY, Australia --- Handle Magazine recently featured former Northeastern State standout Darnell Hinson in one of its issues. Following is a transcript of the article, which is being published with permission from Handle Magazine. Single issues of Handle Magazine can be purchased online via its web site --- http://www.handlemag.com.au.

(HANDLE) Shawn Redhage is from Lincoln, Nebraska, you're from Muskogee, Oklahoma - how did either of you end up playing basketball instead of football?

(DH) I bounced around a bit between Oklahoma and Texas because my father was from Texas, but I spent most of my childhood in Oklahoma. I played a little football when I was younger, but I was really small as a kid and one day I got sacked by two much bigger guys and I never played football again. I ran straight from the field into the gym and I've been there ever since! But I was terrible at basketball, too. I was so small and I never got picked, so I had to fight for everything. It made me a better player, but it took time.

(HANDLE) What was it like playing ball at a (NCAA Division II) school like Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma?

(DH) I still hadn't become a great player, so I didn't really expect to play college ball at all. I was a walk-on at Northeastern State after my mom pushed me to try out. She knew how much I wanted to play, but I lacked the confidence in my own game until I made the team there.

(HANDLE) You had a great career at Northeastern State, becoming the school's all time leading scorer, winning multiple awards and making a series of All American teams. Did that run attract NBA attention?

(DH) I was picked pre-season All American my senior year, but after making a really bad decision, I was suspended for the first four games of that season and all the hype disappeared. I came back and had a pretty good season, which resluted in tryouts with San Antonio, Denver and Phoenix, and I ended up playing summer league with the Spurs but didn't make the team. My main goal was to secure a good job with stable income playing overseas in order to look after my family. I have an eight year old son back home, so my NBA dream has to take a back seat for a secure job. I've been told every stop of the way that I'm not a true point guard, that I can score the ball but I can't run a team, which is funny because I played the point and didn't score much while leading my team in assists my first two years of college. But that's still what some people think about me today.

(HANDLE) You spent four years in Europe following your college career. Was that a major culture shock?

(DH) It was terrible; my first year in Germany I was calling home every day and was homesick. No one spoke my language and I'd sit at home and watch Steve Urkel reruns with German voiceovers. I'd already seen them all, so I knew what was going on, but the only channel that was in English was CNN and that was when the war started so I was totally depressed. The only thing that's been that tough about being in Australia so far is being away from my son. The way the season coincides with his school term and holidays makes it difficult for me to get him out here, which is tough, but everything else is a breeze compared to Europe. I did enjoy being paid in the Euro, however, but [on the whole], I enjoy Australia a whole lot more.

(HANDLE) How did you end up in Australia?

(DH) The Razorbacks contacted me and that was the first time I'd even thought about Australian basketball. I had several other opportunities to play in Europe, including one job in Russia which scared the hell out of me, but then I checked the NBL website and saw Ebi Ere's name. I knew Ebi from Oklahoma, so I got in touch and he told me that, if the opportunity was there, I should come down under and never leave. So I did, and I hope to play here for a long time. I knew it was a great league straight away; being new to the league, you get to catch teams by surprise, but NBL teams are good at scouting that. The next time round, they know your strengths and weaknesses and exactly how to slow you down.

(HANDLE) What brought you to Perth when the Razorbacks became the Spirit?

(DH) I thought long and hard about returning to Sydney; that option was on the table and it was an extremely tough decision for me. I feel that Rob Beveridge is a good coach and I'd like to have gone back, but I'd heard nothing but great things about Perth and felt like it was the best opportunity for me to potentially contend for a championship, so I made the move. The biggest difference so far is just my role on the team. Last year I had to get going to get the team going, whereas now it's my job to get everyone else going and then look for mine. It's been a difficult transition but I'm enjoying the challenge.

(HANDLE) Did you know of the import point guard curse that Perth carries when you signed?

(DH) I was aware the expectations were very high, but I didn't have any idea about the baggage associated with Ricky Grace! I just knew he was a great player, but I definitely know what you mean now, especially given the way the season is going. It's just additional pressure for us to win games, but that's just another expectation I have to deal with. I came to Perth because I thought it was the best chance for me to win, so that level of pressure is what I have to deal with. It's a totally different pressure for me than college because here you are in a professional environment in which people have invested their money and they expect to see results. Back in college, it was completely different, and I am actually still trying hard to deal with it because the pressure here in Perth is as great as I've ever experienced. I cope by going home and calling my son who tells me about his class or his class trip and that makes me back home.

(HANDLE) You've come from overseas to a city where you have no friends or family. How hard is that side of being a professional sportsman, and what do the clubs do to make it easier for you?

(DH) It's difficult, but I'm starting to get used to it. This is my sixth year away from home and I know the club is always there for me. Anything I ever need, I just pick up the phone. A lot of our players have families and their own lives and priorities off the court, so I spend most of my time doing my own thing. I've learned to enjoy that somewhat, but I also enjoy when the team gets together, which we do occasionally, but other than playing video games with Isiah Victor, I do my own thing most of the time.

(HANDLE) You've had a fair bit of ink done; do any of your tattoos hold any special significance?

(DH) A lot of it has personal meaning for me. I have my mother's name tattooed on my arm along with my family tree. When my grandmother passed away, I got one on my chest with some angel wings for her, and then I have "Muskogee" on my other arm because that's the small town I'm from that doesn't get much recognition but I'm proud to let everyone know it's where I'm from.

(HANDLE) With all the turmoil surrounding the league and the talk of a "New NBL" next season, how does that affect a player like you who has signed a multiyear contract?

(DH) It's a distraction, but I try my best to block it out and not to worry about it. It's definitely hard when every week there's talk of a different team dropping out of the league or battling to survive the season. All I can do is work hard, play the best I can and help Perth finish the season out strong so, if anything does change, I've put myself in the best position possible - hopefully coming off a championship with the Wildcats.

(HANDLE) Given the talent, is it fair to say that your nine and nine record is underwhelming?

(DH) We are aware of the time, money and effort that the club has invested to assemble a talented roster and we simply haven't been able to consistently get the job done. A lot of guys are making significant personal sacrifices for the betterment of the team, and it's been great playing with such unselfish guys, but for one reason or another we haven't got the results we wanted yet. The toughest thing we've faced is the expectations, but we will turn this thing around, starting by all of us taking some responsibility defensively to contain our men, block out and play for each other. We have gone back to grade school stuff, but that's what we needed to do and I know it will pay off.

(HANDLE) What's something most people don't know about you?

(DH) I guess most people don't know I have a son, Darnell Jr., back home, and that I like to listen to R&B - not rap - especially pre game. Isiah Victor is always giving me a hard time because I like listening to love songs before games but I do it to calm me down. I don't need to get psyched up before a game, I need to chill out to some R&B.. Also, I'm a big shoe guy, so as long as you have a Foot Locker and I'm able to get my hands on some new Jordans, I'll be ok in this country!

(HANDLE) Should the Cats make the Grand Final, who would you like to see?

(DH) I'd like to play the South Dragons or Melbourne - if I can bet Ebi, I'll get to go home and brag about that all offseason. He would never hear the end of it, from me ...