Men's Basketball Media Day Player Quotes
DaJuan Coleman, Center, Senior
What’s that first game going to feel like, after being out for almost two years?
“I can’t even tell you what that emotion will be like. I don’t know if it’ll be emotional, but it should be fun.”
How important is it for the three freshmen to step into their roles and not make as many freshman mistakes as most freshmen? What have you seen that impresses you so far?
“We just all have to come and play together. They’re pretty good, they’re hard workers. Even when we scrimmage, they look like they’ve been working all summer, and they’ve been there before.”
Trevor Cooney, Graduate Student, Guard
How will your experience playing with Michael Gbinije help the team?
“It definitely means a lot. We’ve been in a lot of tough games – wins and losses – which is good. We’ve been through a lot which will help us this year and help the other guys out.”
Are you and Michael (Gbinije) ready to take on that leadership role?
“Absolutely. I think Mike and I are great leaders. We lead by example, also, everyday, pushing the younger guys just to get better. If we need a little push here and there, we’re able to give it.”
We’ve talked about sliding under the radar a little bit. Can you talk about how good this team can be?
“Flying under the radar is definitely fine with me. We have a lot of good games and a lot of opportunities to beat a lot of great teams. I think this team can be just as good as our teams in the past that have been successful.”
Franklin Howard, Freshman, Guard
What do you think your role on the team will be?
“With a lack of players, you have to play the guys you have so coming in coach told me this would be an opportunity. Hopefully I’ll be able to take advantage of that.”
What are pressures like playing Division I basketball?
“Being a freshman, you don’t know what you’re about to walk into so you definitely feel that pressure. On the first day, making sure you’re keeping up. At the same time it’s a good pressure. You pick up the intensity and the speed.”
Michael Gbinije, Graduate, Guard/Forward
How do you feel this year having experience to play this position whereas in the past you have played forward?
"I’m excited, first and foremost. I feel comfortable in this position. I’m not really thinking too much of it, just go out there, play my game and give others the ball. Hopefully we have a successful season."
How has the chemistry (with the team been) the first few weeks of practice?
"Everything has been improving day-by-day. Our practices are much more competitive and we’re a deeper team overall. Hopefully that will translate to the game."
Kaleb Joseph, Sophomore, Guard
What things have you been working on in practice?
“I’ve been working on my whole game. I’ve gotten a little bit stronger, been working on my ball handling, my jump shot. My overall game has improved a little bit and I look forward to getting on the court.”
What would you say you have done to improve? Coach Boeheim has talked about how you are the guy who has improved most in the off-season.
“Just try to take advantage of everyday. Come to the gym with a purpose and use my time efficiently. I'm just trying to get better.”
Was being the starter last season kind of unexpected?
“I don’t expect any playing time, You just go in and whatever the coach tells you, how much you’re going to play, you just make the best of it.”
Have you given any advice to the freshman who are going to come in this year and play a lot?
“I try not to be a preacher, but we are a really close-knit team so I’m sure as the season goes along and they have questions, I’m more than willing to help anybody out.”
Tyler Lydon, Freshman, Forward
Has the freshman class already formed a bond?
“Me, Frank (Howard) and Malachi (Richardson) were in a group chat, texting throughout the summer. Just keeping in touch and saying how happy we were to be playing with each other.”
What do you see your role being this year? Obviously you’re a good shooter, but what do you see your position being this year?
“I’ve been practicing on offense at the three and the four, on defense I’ve been playing a little at the five. I’m just trying to do what I can right now, and whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
How was the offseason for you, in terms of preparation?
“It’s been really good. I’ve spent a lot of time in the weight room, on the court with Coach Autry, and I feel like physically, I got a lot stronger. As far as my skills go, Coach Autry’s the best at what he does, and I feel like I definitely improved on the court.”
Chinonso Obokoh, Center, Senior
Is there anything specific you feel like you improved on over the summer?
“Over the summer I did a lot defensive-wise. I’ve done a lot of offense and defense , and I think everything has been touched.”
Do you think your teammates are really looking to you to step up this season?
“The guys know that I’ve put in work this whole time. I took classes, and also worked out with Coach (Hopkins), so there’s been a lot of work put in.”
Are you looking forward to playing with a specific teammate this year?
“I’m excited to play with all of the guys from the team. They’ve been here the whole time, they’re putting in work, so I’m very excited to play with them.”
Malachi Richardson, Freshman, Guard
Can you talk about this team, flying under the radar, unranked, but a lot of skilled players?
"We’re kind of not really mad about flying under the radar because we know we’re going to shock a lot of people, especially when it comes to ACC play."
Why is that?
"We’re really confident in ourselves. We know we have great talent on the team. We have a bunch of players that can do a bunch of different things. I’m pretty excited."
For people who maybe haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your game?
"I'm definitely a scorer who’s working on everything about his game. I'm working on playing defense and rebounding the ball -- Just becoming a better player."
Coach Boeheim said he looks at all the freshmen as college ready and he mentioned you specificall. He expects you to step in and make an impact right away. How does that make you feel, knowing coach has that much faith in you from the get-go?
"That means a lot, knowing that he believes in me as much as I believe in myself, knowing that he can put me on the floor right away. There’s going to be a learning curve for everybody, all the freshmen. There’s going to be a bump in the road for us, but we’re excited to go through that and get through it together."
Tyler Roberson, Junior, Forward
How are you feeling about this year's team?
“I think we’ll be really good. I know a lot of people may not think so right now, but I think we’ll prove a lot of people wrong. I’m up for the challenge, and I think the rest of the team is as well.”
How would you describe your demeanor on the court?
"I’ve always been a cerebral player. Inside, I’m fired up and I’m excited to play but it doesn’t show. I definitely play with a lot of energy and I may not always show it. I’ve been like that since I started playing basketball. I’m trying to take every game like it’s the same -- play hard and play every game like it’s my last."
How would you rate the freshmen so far in practice?
“Honestly, I’m impressed with all three of them. I’ve played with (Malachi) Richardson in high school so I knew he was a good player already. But Tyler (Lydon) and Frank (Howard) are good players too. So I think they’ll all be able to contribute.”
Can you talk more about Malachi Richardson?
“He’s versatile. He’s always been a shooter, and I think that’s one thing he’ll definitely be able to help the team with right away and he’s strong enough to rebound."
What’s that first game going to feel like, after being out for almost two years?
“I can’t even tell you what that emotion will be like. I don’t know if it’ll be emotional, but it should be fun.”
How important is it for the three freshmen to step into their roles and not make as many freshman mistakes as most freshmen? What have you seen that impresses you so far?
“We just all have to come and play together. They’re pretty good, they’re hard workers. Even when we scrimmage, they look like they’ve been working all summer, and they’ve been there before.”
Trevor Cooney, Graduate Student, Guard
How will your experience playing with Michael Gbinije help the team?
“It definitely means a lot. We’ve been in a lot of tough games – wins and losses – which is good. We’ve been through a lot which will help us this year and help the other guys out.”
Are you and Michael (Gbinije) ready to take on that leadership role?
“Absolutely. I think Mike and I are great leaders. We lead by example, also, everyday, pushing the younger guys just to get better. If we need a little push here and there, we’re able to give it.”
We’ve talked about sliding under the radar a little bit. Can you talk about how good this team can be?
“Flying under the radar is definitely fine with me. We have a lot of good games and a lot of opportunities to beat a lot of great teams. I think this team can be just as good as our teams in the past that have been successful.”
Franklin Howard, Freshman, Guard
What do you think your role on the team will be?
“With a lack of players, you have to play the guys you have so coming in coach told me this would be an opportunity. Hopefully I’ll be able to take advantage of that.”
What are pressures like playing Division I basketball?
“Being a freshman, you don’t know what you’re about to walk into so you definitely feel that pressure. On the first day, making sure you’re keeping up. At the same time it’s a good pressure. You pick up the intensity and the speed.”
Michael Gbinije, Graduate, Guard/Forward
How do you feel this year having experience to play this position whereas in the past you have played forward?
"I’m excited, first and foremost. I feel comfortable in this position. I’m not really thinking too much of it, just go out there, play my game and give others the ball. Hopefully we have a successful season."
How has the chemistry (with the team been) the first few weeks of practice?
"Everything has been improving day-by-day. Our practices are much more competitive and we’re a deeper team overall. Hopefully that will translate to the game."
Kaleb Joseph, Sophomore, Guard
What things have you been working on in practice?
“I’ve been working on my whole game. I’ve gotten a little bit stronger, been working on my ball handling, my jump shot. My overall game has improved a little bit and I look forward to getting on the court.”
What would you say you have done to improve? Coach Boeheim has talked about how you are the guy who has improved most in the off-season.
“Just try to take advantage of everyday. Come to the gym with a purpose and use my time efficiently. I'm just trying to get better.”
Was being the starter last season kind of unexpected?
“I don’t expect any playing time, You just go in and whatever the coach tells you, how much you’re going to play, you just make the best of it.”
Have you given any advice to the freshman who are going to come in this year and play a lot?
“I try not to be a preacher, but we are a really close-knit team so I’m sure as the season goes along and they have questions, I’m more than willing to help anybody out.”
Tyler Lydon, Freshman, Forward
Has the freshman class already formed a bond?
“Me, Frank (Howard) and Malachi (Richardson) were in a group chat, texting throughout the summer. Just keeping in touch and saying how happy we were to be playing with each other.”
What do you see your role being this year? Obviously you’re a good shooter, but what do you see your position being this year?
“I’ve been practicing on offense at the three and the four, on defense I’ve been playing a little at the five. I’m just trying to do what I can right now, and whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
How was the offseason for you, in terms of preparation?
“It’s been really good. I’ve spent a lot of time in the weight room, on the court with Coach Autry, and I feel like physically, I got a lot stronger. As far as my skills go, Coach Autry’s the best at what he does, and I feel like I definitely improved on the court.”
Chinonso Obokoh, Center, Senior
Is there anything specific you feel like you improved on over the summer?
“Over the summer I did a lot defensive-wise. I’ve done a lot of offense and defense , and I think everything has been touched.”
Do you think your teammates are really looking to you to step up this season?
“The guys know that I’ve put in work this whole time. I took classes, and also worked out with Coach (Hopkins), so there’s been a lot of work put in.”
Are you looking forward to playing with a specific teammate this year?
“I’m excited to play with all of the guys from the team. They’ve been here the whole time, they’re putting in work, so I’m very excited to play with them.”
Malachi Richardson, Freshman, Guard
Can you talk about this team, flying under the radar, unranked, but a lot of skilled players?
"We’re kind of not really mad about flying under the radar because we know we’re going to shock a lot of people, especially when it comes to ACC play."
Why is that?
"We’re really confident in ourselves. We know we have great talent on the team. We have a bunch of players that can do a bunch of different things. I’m pretty excited."
For people who maybe haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your game?
"I'm definitely a scorer who’s working on everything about his game. I'm working on playing defense and rebounding the ball -- Just becoming a better player."
Coach Boeheim said he looks at all the freshmen as college ready and he mentioned you specificall. He expects you to step in and make an impact right away. How does that make you feel, knowing coach has that much faith in you from the get-go?
"That means a lot, knowing that he believes in me as much as I believe in myself, knowing that he can put me on the floor right away. There’s going to be a learning curve for everybody, all the freshmen. There’s going to be a bump in the road for us, but we’re excited to go through that and get through it together."
Tyler Roberson, Junior, Forward
How are you feeling about this year's team?
“I think we’ll be really good. I know a lot of people may not think so right now, but I think we’ll prove a lot of people wrong. I’m up for the challenge, and I think the rest of the team is as well.”
How would you describe your demeanor on the court?
"I’ve always been a cerebral player. Inside, I’m fired up and I’m excited to play but it doesn’t show. I definitely play with a lot of energy and I may not always show it. I’ve been like that since I started playing basketball. I’m trying to take every game like it’s the same -- play hard and play every game like it’s my last."
How would you rate the freshmen so far in practice?
“Honestly, I’m impressed with all three of them. I’ve played with (Malachi) Richardson in high school so I knew he was a good player already. But Tyler (Lydon) and Frank (Howard) are good players too. So I think they’ll all be able to contribute.”
Can you talk more about Malachi Richardson?
“He’s versatile. He’s always been a shooter, and I think that’s one thing he’ll definitely be able to help the team with right away and he’s strong enough to rebound."
