Tennessee's Renaldo Woolridge isn't exactly sure how he'll fit in on the basketball court for the Vols this season.

But as for how the 6-foot-8 freshman fits in on the UT campus, Woolridge isn't wasting any time carving his niche.

The fun-loving Woolridge has put himself - and his music talents - on display for all to see by writing and producing the new rap "Baller Vol,'' a song about this year's UT team.

An outgoing young man with an infectious smile, Woolridge enjoys interacting with teammates and fellow students, and he seems to be embracing his new surroundings.

It's not the North Hollywood life he was once accustomed to, but Knoxville gives him an opportunity to escape the sizable shadow cast by his father, former NBA All-Star Orlando Woolridge.

Though he's hardly anonymous, Woolridge seems to be blending in well among the talented freshman class and the students at UT.

Q: What do you miss most about Southern California?

A: The beach and the weather. I like the weather here, but it's more humid.

Q: What do you see your role being this season?

A: The coaches want me to perfect my 3-point shot and be a presence on the glass.

Q: What's the greatest influence your mother had on you?

A: Just her raising me, my brother and sister as a single mom. My brother graduated from Princeton, I'm at Tennessee and my sister is at one of the best high schools around. I want all the hard work and love she put into this to pay off.

Q: What's the best thing about being the son of an NBA player?

A: When I was young a lot of people knew my dad, and I was able to meet a lot of great players. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were like uncles to me. I loved going to the games and falling in love with the sport.

Q: What was the toughest thing about being the son of an NBA player?

A: The constant comparisons, especially when I started growing my sophomore year (Renaldo was 6-1 as a freshman). People were saying I wasn't as good and couldn't jump as high as him.

Q: What's the biggest improvement you've made since being at UT?

A: My strength. I haven't gotten much bigger, but I've gotten stronger. When I came in my knees were sore, and I used to have to wear a knee sleeve. Now I don't even wear that.

Q: Where is the most interesting place you have been?

A: When my dad played in Italy I lived there for two years. One time we went to the beach with players on the team. We were all making sandcastles, and I remember all the buildings were real close to the sand.

Q: What number will you wear, and why?

A: Zero, for two reasons: One, Gilbert Arenas is from near where I'm from, and he has a similar story as mine: he was overlooked, and he chose the number zero because it reminded him that's how people thought of him - as a zero. The second reason is because my dad wore it, and it's a reminder to me that I want to achieve what he did in getting to the next level.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.