Toby Veal, at least athletically, is considered to be the gem of the five-man all-freshman class that will be critical in turning around Colorado's basketball program over the next few seasons.

The 6-7, 225-pound Savannah, Ga., product was the only 2008 CU recruit that showed up in the national rankings (rivals.com listed him as the 39th best power forward prospect).

Veal averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds as a senior at Johnson High School and is known for his dunking ability. He was also recruited by Auburn, Miami, Florida State, UNLV, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

This is the fifth and final installment of the Camera's Q&A's with the freshmen Jeff Bzdelik is counting on.

Here's our first conversation with Veal:

BC: Tell me what was it like growing up in Savannah, Georgia.

TV: I'm originally from Philadelphia. I stayed in Philadelphia for like two years then moved to Wisconsin and then I moved to Savannah. And I stayed in Savannah for like 11 years. The 11 years I was there it was good -- nice middle schools, nice high schools, a good environment.

BC: What do you remember about living in Wisconsin as a child? That state is a lot different than Georgia.

TV: I just remember it being cold. That's kind of why I picked coming out here, I'm kind of used to the cold and I know I can take it a little bit.

BC: What about the CU basketball program convinced you to make Boulder your new home?

TV: The whole basketball situation is different. It's more intense than it's ever been for me. That's how it has to be. It gets harder and harder as you go ... I just chose to come out here because coach Bzdelik is a good coach. He knows a lot of people and he's not just a coach he's a good person. That made my decision.

BC: Did you follow SEC and ACC hoops? And did you consider staying close to home?

TV: I was thinking about staying down South but I wanted to go somewhere and start somewhere new instead of being in the same spot. I tried to venture. BC: What did your mom think about you coming all the way out here?

TV: She thought it was good. She was born in Colorado Springs and she thought it would be very interesting for me. I think she lived in Colorado Springs until she was like 9 (years old).

BC: What are your early impressions of your recruiting classmates and this team?

TV: We have a young team. We have one senior, two juniors, five freshmen and the rest sophomores. I say the younger we are the better we can get because the more we can progress as we're practicing. I think we'll be good in the long run.

BC: Are you looking forward to playing a lot as a freshman?

TV: I'll get a couple of minutes and I should have some good games. I think everybody will probably get a chance to play because I think that's just how (Bzdelik) plays.

BC: How does your game fit into Bzdelik's brand of college basketball?

TV: My game is basically driving to the basket. Trying to score driving and passing. A lot of his plays that he sets up has to do with driving. That's kind of how I fit in.

BC: We saw a few backdoor layups last year from the Buffs but not nearly as many as Bzdelik's Air Force teams executed. Do you think your style of play will lend itself to some easy baskets?

TV: He wants me to cut, he wants me to drive, and he wants me to rebound. Those are the three main things that he wants me to do, so that's what I'm here to do.

BC: The Big 12 boasts the reigning national champion in Kansas and a number of nationally prominent programs, coaches and players. Are you ready to compete in this conference from the get-go or would you like to be eased into it?

TV: I'm not going to say I'm ready-ready. But I think I'm ready for it. Basketball is basketball. I know it's going to be tougher, but I think the hard competition is going to be good for me. Yeah, I'm ready.

BC: How are you adjusting to campus? Have any of the older guys taken you under their wing this semester?

TV: When I first got here I was with Dwight (Thorne) and he was showing me around because we have like three classes together. He showed me the campus.

BC: Have you gone to any CU football games? And were you a Bulldogs fan like just about everyone else in Georgia?

TV: Actually, we've been to every football game that was here already and two soccer games. ... I didn't follow football. I think it's a fun sport because I used to play it. But I didn't follow it like that.

BC: When did you know basketball was your ticket to a college scholarship?

TV: High school. I'd say the end of 10th grade, that's when I quit football and I was just going to focus on basketball.

BC: Were you always a tall kid?

TV: Not in middle school. I was like 5-5 and kind of heavy set. I caught my growth spurt in 8th grade and I was like 6-2.