3:33 PM ET

When Jamarion Sharp walks into the gym at Western Kentucky he always brings his puppy.

The 7-foot-5 center and last year's top shot-blocker, his dog, is a best friend and a responsibility for him. Sharp wants the puppy to help him mature.

Sharp is taking his dog to the vet for the first time. The dog is a quiet one. I had the money and wanted a puppy. I got a puppy because I had everything I needed.

Sharp, who averaged 8.2 points per game last season, named his puppy after his brother, who passed away from a disease. Sharp's mother wouldn't let him have dogs because they reminded her of his brother.

Sharp said his puppy is related to his sibling.

After my brother's death, Sharp never got a dog.

There are more than 1,500 men's college basketball games to be watched this season. Don't forget to watch the entire season on Disney+.

The entire men's basketball program is made up of a few cute ones. Trainers and other people help care for him while he works on his game. You will also see Sharp if you look at it that way. They are not apart.

Sharp said that he has someone who will be loyal to him for the rest of his life. Feed him, love him and take him out and play with him, that's all I have to do.