It may seem fitting that the lone senior on the UW men’s basketball roster was asked recently to play the role of Grandfather in the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

When Quincy Pondexter makes his one-time-only appearance in the ballet this month, he’ll be joining the ranks of other notable basketball players and celebrities who have previously donned tights and slippers for the yearly tradition.

But, as it turns out, not everyone thinks Pondexter is a good fit for the role.

Asked by a reporter before practice Tuesday if he’ll be in the seats at McCaw Hall to support Pondexter during his Dec. 23 performance, Isaiah Thomas, turning his head away in feigned disgust, replied with a simple “No.”

“He definitely can’t dance,” Thomas said. “Good luck to him for going out there, but he can’t dance. He has no rhythm whatsoever. And then, him with tights? That’s going to be crazy.”

Even the team’s trainers have had some good laughs at Pondexter’s expense, using Photoshop to transform the 6-foot-6-inch, 230-pound basketball player into a tutu-wearing ballerina.

Pondexter assured reporters Tuesday that: “It’s not going to be like that type of ballet. It’s going to be a bit more masculine.”

Pondexter’s never seen The Nutcracker, but he says he’s been watching as much of it as he can on YouTube. He’s grateful for the opportunity.

“I can’t believe they asked me to do it,” he said, “especially when I heard all the other people that have had the chance to do it, like Vin Baker, Gary Payton, Microsoft executives. I’m just Quincy Pondexter from Fresno, California.”

One sophomore guard from Tacoma is awaiting his chance, too.

“I have the most rhythm on the team,” Thomas said.

Reach reporter Maks Goldenshteyn at sports@dailyuw.com.