On May 1st the NBA’s Board of Governors voted to postpone the Draft Lottery and Draft Combine in Chicago due to an abundance of caution regarding the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to all of the seniors who have wrapped up their college careers, the early-entry deadline for underclassmen was August 3rd. The lottery took place on August 20th and the draft is scheduled to take place on November 18th. We will spend the upcoming days interviewing as many members of the 2020 draft class as possible. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage by chatting with Eli Pemberton about winning his conference tourney last March and what it would mean to him to get drafted.
You were born/raised in Connecticut: what made you choose Hofstra? Distance: I wanted my family to be able to see me. I used all 5 of my recruiting visits and the coaching staff there had a plan for me.
You played for Coach Joe Mihalich: what makes him such a good coach, and what was the most important thing that you ever learned from him? His honesty: he can be brutally honest but is so passionate about the game and wants the best for his players. I learned about work ethic, attitude, and effort. He was always in the office, and after a bad loss he would gather the whole coaching staff until 1AM. He does a great job of finding everyone’s strength.
You started 30 games as a freshman, scored 12.8 PPG, and were named to the CAA All-Rookie team: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I had a good understanding of what my role was. I would start the game at the 4 but by the end I might be at the 1 or 2 or 3.
Last February you scored a career-high 35 PTS/11-17 FG in a win over James Madison on Senior Day: was it just 1 of those situations where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Definitely: I felt like I could not miss. I am not a crier but was crying as soon as I got out there and saw the crowd and heard them cheering. I think I made my 1st 5 or 6 shots: it was a euphoric feeling.
In the 2020 CAA tourney you were the leading scorer with 62 total PTS as your team won 3 games in 3 days to clinch the title: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? I just knew what was on the line. We knew who we were and came into our own as a team at the right time. We lost to Towson in late-February and it really got us going. Desure Buie had a tough 1st game against Drexel but then we started to thrive off each other.
Your best friend Desure ended up being named tourney MVP: how were you 2 able to become the best backcourt in school history? It started off the court: I played with him when we were in high school around 2014 and got to know him as a person. When I got to Hofstra I realized what a great leader he is: we know how to communicate to make each other better.
After clinching your automatic bid to the NCAA tourney you learned that it was canceled due to the coronavirus: what was your reaction when you 1st heard the news, and do you think that it was the right decision? At 1st it broke my heart because our fans had waited 19 years for us to make the NCAA tourney. We worked so hard to get there but looking back at it now I think it was the right decision. I have lost some family members due to COVID so I know that people definitely come 1st.
Your brother William/cousin Chauncey both played college basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? My brother actually played football in college but I feel like I have the edge on everyone. Chauncey was 6’3” and I am 6’5”.
What is it like to be an African-American man in 2020? There is a lot of pressure in today’s society, especially with how things have played out on social media after the election. It is hard for me to answer that question because I know what I have gone through. I know my purpose is to inspire others: playing basketball is much bigger than just getting a check. Even through trials and tribulations I try to remain consistent. I have a business management degree so hopefully I can inspire people to make change themselves. There are some things that are not in our favor but perseverance builds character.
What would it mean to you to get drafted, and what is the plan if you do not get drafted? I cannot even imagine what it would feel like to get drafted. I would celebrate with my family because it has been a long journey, but even if I sign as a free agent that would be a victory. I am just grateful for the opportunity.