LOS ANGELES — Matt Stainbrook’s idea of letting off steam is different from that of your typical college basketball player.
On an off day or whenever he has free time, the Xavier center will get behind the wheel of his 2004 gold Buick Rendezvous and make a few extra bucks as an Uber taxi driver.
He enjoys the time behind the wheel, as a release from the daily stresses of balancing academics and big-time college basketball.
“It’s relaxing,” said Stainbrook, an unorthodox 6-foot-10, fifth-year senior known for his passing ability and assortment of post moves. “It sort of gets your mind off basketball, because I tell you, the majority of the time you’re thinking about basketball or school. So when we have an off day and I get to drive, that is usually the time I drive.
“You get to talk to people who don’t always want to talk basketball all the time, so it’s a change of pace.”
Stainbrook, who will lead No. 6 Xavier into an NCAA Tournament West Region semifinal against second-seeded Arizona on Thursday night at Staples Center, began driving the taxi when he gave up his scholarship to his little brother Tim, a sophomore walk-on, and needed to make extra money to take care of normal living expenses. Student loans covered most of his $14,000 graduate-school bill. It was nothing compared to the $40,000-plus tuition his brother would have to pay.
“The easiest part was my brother works so hard,” said Matt Stainbrook, Xavier’s leading scorer and rebounder at 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. “Coming in I always see him day in and day out helping our team, working hard focusing on athletics and academics. It was a no-brainer when it came to that.”
Stainbrook said one out of every two people he picks up recognizes him. They often wonder why a Division I basketball player is an Uber driver, before hearing his story.
He shared one funny story Wednesday. One time a woman twisted her ankle getting into his car. He helped her get in and ice the ankle before delivering her to her destination. Two weeks later, they met again.
“‘Oh, you recognize me?’ ” Stainbrook recalled her saying, embarrassed. Usually, he’s the one being recognized.
Stainbrook doesn’t plan to drive a taxi for much longer. He wants to take basketball as far as he possibly can, and when his basketball career is up, go into corporate finance. He would like to own a restaurant one day.
“I think a year from now I probably won’t be driving a taxi,” Stainbrook said. “I’m hoping not.”