BLOOMINGTON - Determined, driven, aggressive, fearless. Pick a high-profile athlete, and he or she possesses each of those attributes.

J.J. Painter could never shoot like Larry Bird, pass like Magic Johnson or dunk like LeBron James. Yet, when it comes to securing autographs from such superstars, the 18-year-old from Bloomington shares the qualities that made them household names.

Joe Painter calls his oldest son "relentless." The proof is just down the hall in J.J. Painter's bedroom, where autographs and memorabilia cover the walls, fill a closet and take up nearly every inch under the bed.

The University High School senior has autographs ranging from Bird, Johnson and James to Ron Santo, Dee Brown and "The Czar of the Telestrator," Mike Fratello. There are more than 400 in all, including many on pictures that are framed and hanging in Painter's room.

He also has autographed basketballs, baseballs, footballs, ticket stubs, game programs, hats, wristbands, tennis shoes … even a pro model hockey stick (signed by Bobby Hull).

The collection has been assembled through Painter's passion for sports - basketball in particular - and his tolerance for rejection.

"I had to build up some confidence because at first I was real nervous about what they (the athletes) would say," Painter said. "As I got to be about 16, I was at the age where it was still OK (to ask), and I realized if they say no, they just say no. It's nothing personal. At that point, I just started asking anybody whenever I had the chance."

Two tenets of Painter's approach are to arrive early and stay late. His father said Painter routinely shows up at venues "before the building opens and stays an hour or so afterward."

He should know. Often, Joe Painter has driven his son to Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, etc., to events featuring the stars.

"It's usually just me and him because nobody else has the patience to stick around," the elder Painter said.

A memorable trip occurred last year when the Painters traveled to Indianapolis and a banquet prior to the Wooden Classic. J.J. Painter brought along a framed painting he had done in art class of legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who was speaking at the banquet.

Painter did not have a ticket, but, in his father's words, started "chatting up the security guard." The guard looked at the painting and immediately began pulling strings.

"He was like, ‘Oh, man. This is really good. I'll definitely get him to sign it for you,' " J.J. Painter said. "He went in and John Wooden comes by and he gets him to sign it. After that, he was like, ‘We have to get you into the banquet. You have to hear Wooden speak.' "

In minutes, J.J. Painter and his father were seated at a table near the front of the room. At the next table were Illinois coach Bruce Weber, then-Purdue coach Gene Keady and Wooden himself.

"I heard him speak and it was really cool," Painter said. "He knows so much."

Typical of Painter was his securing of Johnson's autograph when the former NBA star appeared at Illinois Wesleyan to speak on AIDS.

Painter found out which room Johnson would be emerging from prior to the speech and met him at the door.

"He walked with him all the way up to the stage and coerced him into giving him an autograph," Joe Painter said. "I'm not that bold. But he's always had that trait. You can't put him off if he wants something and he's focused on it. I think that will be good for him the rest of his life … as long as he's not annoying people with it."

Painter considers the Wooden, Johnson, Bird and James autographs to be among his top five items. He also is proud of the game-worn shoes signed by former NBA star Tim Hardaway, who gave them to Painter after playing in a charity all-star game Hardaway hosts each summer in Chicago.

The laidback contest has been an autograph gold mine for Painter in recent years. Yet, Painter has acquired his share of autographs at regular games as well.

He once got an autograph from a player returning to the court at halftime of a Pontiac Holiday Tournament game. He also has an aggressive, "be first" mentality prior to games.

"I'll be at a game and someone will be shooting around (before the game)," Painter said. "You know everybody wants the autograph, but they're just too scared to say anything.

"I'll just shout the player's name and he'll come over and sign for me. Then you'll see a flock of people come in behind me and crowd around trying to get his autograph. That's something I've done several times."

Painter enjoys shooting the basketball as well. He plays in pickup games and rec leagues regularly, and also throws the shot put and discus on the U High track team.

Still, basketball is his first love, and he will attend Illinois next year in part because "I wanted to go somewhere with a good basketball team."

"They also have a good business program and I'm going into entrepreneurship. I want to run my own business," Painter said.

What kind?

"Whatever's making money," he said.

Sounds like a plan for a guy who is determined, driven, aggressive.

And above all, fearless.