Coach Hurley, Shannon Evans II, Tra Holder and Kodi Justice talk depth, newcomers and more as practice begins...
COACH BOBBY HURLEYRaise your hand if you are ready to start practice! @ramonvilsoley @hollywood_XI @kodijustice44 @MickeyMitchell0 @ShibelVi13 @mellosworld_23 pic.twitter.com/VecMYK9vFe
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) September 28, 2017
"In the aftermath of the other day, I'm sure there's a lot of speculation about everything. It was a very tough day for college basketball. There's a lot of people that were impacted by what's already happened. It's tough. You feel for a lot of people. There are a lot of victims in this whole thing. It's a sport that's been very good to me in my life. I love college basketball with my heart, so it hurts that it's going through a dark period right now. With that being said, it's taken us a while to put ourselves to where we're truly looking forward to the season. We have seniors that are invested and looking forward to the season. My whole mind is really focused on them and trying to make this the best possible year. Shannon Evans II, Tra Holder and Kodi Justice want to get to the postseason. Our roster has improved. We're seeing the impact of having a deeper team. In our practice today, it was very competitive. The transfers are adding a different element like I imagined they would in terms of elevating the level of what I'm seeing out on the floor. We have a busy weekend ahead of us. We're going to have multiple practices over the next couple days. I want to get off to a fast start and really start putting in what we're doing on offense and defense and making sure our conditioning is where it needs to be. Those are our primary focuses like they always are on the first weekend. I'm excited to begin practice."
Arizona, USC and UCLA headline a jam packed Pac-12 home schedule for @SunDevilHoops!
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) September 20, 2017
You ready? https://t.co/7nlYmMLPcB pic.twitter.com/aeccXiVqjm
On how further along they feel opposed to previous seasons:
"It feels great because even today, we used an hour and 10 minutes that we had leftover from our two hours to get a jump start today. It's not as much explanation in terms of drills. There's more familiarity with some of the younger players where we had the opportunity in some of those practices to begin to go through the drills that we're going to use in our practices. It was a quicker tempo and a quicker pace. Now that we transition tomorrow to having four hours a day, it gives us more time to teach and it's not quite a frantic pace in terms of practice."
From @Jeff_Griffith21: Tight-knit senior class leads ASU basketball into optimistic season https://t.co/3YpI5vfjTB
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 29, 2017
On what he anticipates he can do differently with more depth and size:
"We've talked a lot about balance. With our team having the lack of depth we had last year, our team was very one dimensional in terms of what we could do and how we attack our opponent. We had to do it from behind the three-point line or our guards getting to the rim for layouts. That's really the only effective way we scored in the paint last year. Particularly with Romello White and what he's showed us in the offseason, he could be the guy, offensively, we could throw him the ball a little more that we didn't have last year. When Mickey Mitchell is eligible (mid-December) and with Kimani Lawrence, they give us some bigger wing players that we didn't have last year. Overall, being more confident in the 20 guys we have and knowing we're a deeper team."
On senior leadership from Evans, Holder and Justice:
"How they've approached everything in the offseason has been tremendous. We have a very strong bond. We talk about leadership, the impact of winning and the experience of possibly playing in the NCAA tournament. I know Shannon has had that with me at Buffalo, but Tra and Kodi haven't, and they're really focused on wanting to accomplish that. They know that every practice we have has to be very high-level: competing with each other, challenging each other and setting a great example for all our young players in the program. That's what Tra, Shannon and Kodi have done pretty effectively."
Arizona State's seniors Shannon Evans, Tra Holder and Kodi Justice are hoping for a NCAA Tournament send-off https://t.co/V1aG7wGyVe
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 29, 2017
On Kodi's decision to stay at Arizona State instead of transferring as a graduate:
"Kodi loves the area. He's an Arizona guy. With our conversations knowing he'll play his true position and the relationship we've built I think was pretty strong. As much as people thought he might try and explore high options, I was pretty confident that Kodi wanted to be a Sun Devil, and try and finish his career and help the program take a big step in trying to get to the postseason."
On Romello White:
"Some players don't like contact. They shy away from contact. Romello doesn't. He enjoys physical play. He's got good instincts and footwork. You could throw it to him and he's got a good feel for what to do. I've already seen him make many good passes out of the post when he's getting doubled. We're seeing a lot of great things out of him."
On what differences he's seen in Ramon Vila:
"As a freshman, you're learning. For him, it was an adjustment of the speed and the pace of the game more so than international. The American game is different that way. There's an athletic adjustment. He needs to figure out how he can be effective because he isn't a super athlete, but he's got experience. He's got one year in the program. I think I'm building more trust with him. Instinctively, he's doing things that the other guys are a little behind. He's great at knowing when to run out to a ball screen when we're out as we might be out of our offense. We might be giving our guards a chance to make a play out of that. He's coming along. Again, he can be a guy we would certainly want to play this year."
On if everyone is healthy:
"We came in with everyone at practice today. Remy Martin went out fairly early, but we aren't overly concerned. It's more of a day-to-day thing with him. I don't see anything serious with Remy right now."
On if he heard anything about an extra year for Zylan Cheatham:
"That's going to play out. I don't think we're going to have an answer about it right away. We're certainly going to pursue that. I think he's got a legitimate case for it."
On if he would welcome an overhaul to the recruiting system:
"I think that there's going to have to be a wider examination of the college basketball recruiting system. There doesn't seem to be a system that works right now. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of conversation about that in the next couple of months."
On whether recruiting is different now compared to when he was a player:
"Not necessarily. I don't want to get into too many details, but when I did play, there were always rumors about guys who got this or that to be where they were. It's nothing that was completely unexpected."
On the storyline of the season:
It depends on how much more is coming out and what the next steps are. As far as we're concerned, we just have to focus on basketball and getting better as a team. We finally have team that I feel great about with a chance to have a good season. That's where my mind and my thoughts are.
On if he addressed his players and coaches after learning the Tuesday news:
"We met briefly yesterday. I was recruiting the day of, so I wasn't in town. We just let them know what was going on to try and prepare our guys for things that are happening. Some of our guys didn't even know what was going on. It's a big story and we wanted to make them aware of what was happening. We want to focus on getting better and starting the season in a positive way. That was the message we had for the guys."
On if they talk about making the tournament:
"There's a lot of steps in that process. There's a lot you have to do in non-conference and then in league play. It's very difficult. It isn't an easy thing to do. I do feel with the guards, and particularly with what I've seen our of Romello White, I compare it to my second year at Buffalo. I felt like I had that type of team that can compete against high majors or any one on our schedule. I get the feeling that that's the kind of team we have right now. We're still young at some positions and inexperience to some degree on the front court, but I think these guys will get better and better. That's ultimately the goal. In the meantime, it's trying to improve this team every day where in practice."
Kodi Justice
On having second thoughts about transferring after getting his degree:
"I love the kids, being at home, and being able to see my family every day. I have a great relationship with Coach Hurley, my teammates and the coaching staff. There's really no thought of going anywhere else. Being able to get my masters here and stay here is a great opportunity for me."
On how this year feels different:
"We're competing. Every time you step on the court, you could say the last couple of years that you knew who was going to be the best player on the court. Now, if you don't bring you're A-game every single day, you're just going to run the entire day because of the recruits. You have to come and compete because there are a lot of good players there. People that are sitting out are pushing us to make us better. The newcomers are extremely talented and us seniors and returners have been putting in a lot of work. It's been really competitive lately."
On if his days guarding power forwards are behind him:
"I hope so. But you never know, coach is a competitive guy. He might put on five guards, you never know."
On how he feels about the size of the team:
"I couldn't ask for anything else. Melo plays hard, down low. You have a stretch with Vitaly. You have Ramon who can finish around the basket. Da'Quon can block shots. You have versatility everywhere from the big position, and that's not even adding Mickey and Kimani who can play three and four too. Being versatile helps us a lot."
On how he got through last year with depth issues:
"It was hard. We were trying to take it week by week and not thinking about the next step because we only had five to six guys. We just took it week by week and if there were certain weeks that we had to pull back in practice, we had to go as hard as we could."
On what's important being a senior leader:
"Competing is the biggest thing. It's hard to come together in a quick time and get everyone acclimated, competing and having one goal. With this trip overseas, it helped us get an identity and figure out who we need to be to win games."
On Tra Holder and Shannon Evans' impact on him:
They've pushed me and helped me become a versatile player. Now I know I cant just be playing the one. I have to do other things. They've pushed me to be in the gym more. Wherever they're at, I'm at. We're always together. If there's one of us, you see the other two right behind. It's really cool.
On talking about the postseason:
"We're worried about October first. Everyone's goal is to make the NCAA Tournament, but we have to worry about where we are now and how we can get better.
On the young players:
"Remy is probably the fastest person I've ever seen. He just goes. He picks up full-court, he's intense the entire time, and super athletic. Kimani has a great feel for the game. He can shoot the ball, put the ball on the floor, and play inside out. He's very versatile.
On Romello White:
He's going to shock some people, in my opinion. He's got everything. He can step out, he bangs down low, he's a good pick and roll player and makes his free throws. He does everything. He's a big player you want to play with."
G Shannon Evans IIHey smiling @hollywood_XI is back!! pic.twitter.com/Ncsudvqt6P
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) September 28, 2017
On the trip to Europe:
"I feel like we learned how to pressure the ball. We have more depth this year. Ramon, Vitaly, Romello, Da'Quon are very good players and we're bigger this year too. It was a lot of fun. We saw the Coliseum and the Vatican."
On having a quicker team:
"We're really fast. Remy Martin is a young player but he has a lot of talent."
On the NCAA Tournament:
"Obviously, we all want to get there. That's the goal. Right now, we just want to focus one day at a time. It's exciting, it's the best thing in the world. It's like Christmas. Everyone wants to be there but we just have to take it one day at a time. We'll fight for it when we get there."
On his bond with Kodi Justice and Tra Holder:
"We hang out a lot now. In Europe, we did a lot of things together. Our team bond is great right now and the chemistry is coming together. This is going to be a great team and this program is in the right direction."
On if he, Holder and Justice have to lead the team as seniors:
"We have to. It's our last go-around, this is it for us. We're going to try and leave as much as we can."
On his approach to leadership:
"I think in the back of your head you just know this is your last one. It's your last year and you want to go out with a bang. I want to go back to the tournament and I know Kodi and Tra do too. We want to be in a position to do that."
On similarities to the Buffalo team that went to the tournament and this team:
"Yes. We're really deep. We have a lot of young guys mixed with experiences guys so there are a lot of similarities."
On the impact the transfers who are sitting out have:
"They're really good. Rob Edwards, Carlton Bragg and Zylan Cheatham are pretty talented. Next year is going to be exciting. They do a lot in practices and push us every day."
On how he improved his game:
"Shooting. I want to shoot a good percentage. Decision making. I also want to take better shots, get my teammates involved. I want to find ways to get Romello the ball and get Tra and Kodi better shots."
On how fast Remy Martin is learning the system:
"Really fast. He's tremendous. I'm glad Hurley got him so that when I leave, there's someone to take over."
G Tra Holder
On how it feels to be in his last year:
"It definitely went by fast. I had a lot of good experiences. Maybe our record didn't show that every year but I built a lot of close relationships with my teammates and we had a good time. I'm hoping this year is even better."
On the NCAA Tournament:
"I think that's the goal for every team. This year, we put special emphasis on the seniors because it's our last go-around. We want to give it all we have and make the most of our four years here."
On the trip overseas:
"I think that was a great trip for us to bond and understand each other off the court. Everything on the basketball court doesn't have to revolve around basketball. Knowing about each other's history and stuff like that affects you play on the court with each other. Being there, going to the beach or seeing monuments was a great thing."
On if it feels different being a senior:
"Personally, I don't really feel like a senior. I have a baby face so people don't even think I look 21. It's cool to say I'm a senior and that I've been here for four years."
On if he feels a different sense of responsibility:
"As a point guard, you always have to have that leader role so there's not a big difference, but I think I'm getting better at it. This year, it's more important for me to step out of my comfort zone and be more of a leader."
On his bond with Kodi Justice and Shannon Evans:
"We're like three brothers. We have a group chat and we're always talking to each other. We want to do it big this year and leave a legacy. We want to do something the school has never done before. That;s the goal. If it doesn't happen, we know we gave it our all. "
On the talent of the team:
"There are so many athletic guys that bring different attributes to the game. It's a lot of fun playing with these guys. It's going to be exciting. I'm excited for this program and Tempe in the future."
On if the team is mentally prepared for the season:
"Right now, after the first practice, I think we did great. Everyone was competitive. That's one positive step. We just have to take it day by day."
On Remy Martin:
"Oh man, he's so fast. I hate guarding him. He's great, you wouldn't even know he's a freshman by how vocal he is and how he plays. I'm proud we have another Los Angeles guy out here."