CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews
We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Saint Joseph’s JR PG Shavar Newkirk. Last season he was the starting PG for the A-10 champs and led the Hawks to within a few points of making the Sweet 16. After the loss of Isaiah Miles/DeAndre’Bembry he will be counted on to play some major minutes this season. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Shavar about making a game-winner and clinching an NCAA tourney victory on a last-second review.
You grew up in New York: what made you choose Saint Joseph’s? I grew up in Harlem but went to school in the Bronx. I fell in love with the school: it is in a great area, the campus is wonderful, and it is not too far from home.
You play for Coach Phil Martelli: what makes him so down to earth, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He does not sugar-coat anything: he tells you exactly what he expects from you. He taught me to trust myself and believe in my abilities.
Last November you scored 10 PTS including the game-winning shot in the final seconds of a 2-PT win over Old Dominion: where does that rank among the most clutch shots of your career? It is definitely up there but I have had that opportunity many times. The ball was actually supposed to go to DeAndre’ Bembry for the last shot but it ended up going to me.
Last season your shooting percentages from 1-PT/2-PT/3-PT land all skyrocketed: what was the biggest difference between your freshman and sophomore seasons? I just got used to the pace of the game. Everything was very fast when I was a freshman and I felt rushed, but as I learned the game more it became easier for me and I got more comfortable.
In the 2016 A-10 tourney title game you had 4 AST in a win over VCU: what did it mean to you to win a title, and did you have a lot of family/friends who got to attend the game in Brooklyn? I had a lot of people who attended the game, which was wonderful. They can never take the title away from me or our team.
Take me through the 2016 NCAA tourney:
You scored 3 PTS in a 2-PT win over Cincinnati: how nervous were you while the refs spent a few minutes reviewing Octavius Ellis’ potential game-tying dunk to see if it came after the buzzer? It was a crazy/surreal feeling. I hoped that it was after the buzzer but at the time we could not tell.
You scored 10 PTS in a 5-PT loss to Oregon: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? I learned that it all comes down to determination/grit and how much heart a person has. In the NCAA tourney you play against the best of the best so it is the little things that determine who advances.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against Temple/Villanova: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? The whole schedule will be tough. We have a new group of guys this year so I do not know how good we will be on the court but it is a long season.
You lost your top-2 scorers from last year in Isaiah Miles/DeAndre’Bembry: how do you plan to replace all of that offense? It is a team game so we are looking for everyone to step their game up. We need to play to our strengths by getting up and down the court.
You only have 2 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? I am ready to take on the responsibility of being a leader. Isaiah/DeAndre’ have showed me the ropes so I am ready for the task.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My goals are to win another A-10 title and make the Big Dance again. I expect to have a great season and be 1 of the standouts in the A-10.