We are still a few weeks away from the tip-off of the college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Washington assistant coach Quincy Pondexter, who talked about making a game-winning shot in the 2010 NCAA tourney and his expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Fresno: what made you choose Washington? I developed a really strong relationship with Coach Lorenzo Romar. He was like a father figure to me and still is. Seattle was close enough that I could go home and see my family so I just locked myself in the gym.
In 2010 you were named 1st-team all-Pac-10 after leading the conference in FTM/ORB and finishing 3rd in PPG: how were you able to balance all of the different aspects of your game? I just tried to be as aggressive as possible without being selfish. Offensive rebounding and getting to the FT line were the best ways for me to score.
In the 2010 NCAA tourney you had 18 PTS/11 REB including a short bank shot with 1.7 seconds left in a 2-PT win over Marquette: did you think that your shot was going in, and where does that rank among the highlights of your career? I had no DOUBT that it was going in! It was a moment that etched me in Washington history forever and I will always cherish it. I have to rank it up there near the top…and that is why I came back.
That summer you were drafted 26th overall by Oklahoma City: did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? It was just a part of my journey. I worked my ass off from the time I was a kid with the NBA as my ultimate goal. To get there and then get to play with and against my idols is something that I will always cherish. It felt like a fairy tale for a lot of the time.
You made the 2013 NBA Western Conference Finals with Memphis before getting swept by San Antonio: what was it like to face Tim Duncan/Manu Ginóbili/Tony Parker with a spot in the Finals at stake? It goes by so fast in the playoffs. You have no idea that you are even on that stage because you are locked in: the moment does not really faze you. Duncan was legendary and the other 2 were in their prime, plus they had another young player as well named Kawhi Leonard. They should have won it all that year until Ray Allen made his famous shot (www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr6XsZVb-ZE). It is hard to lose but I am blessed to have played at that level.
Your uncle Cliff/father Roscoe both played pro basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? Right now I would say it is me: they did enough to pass the torch to me, and hopefully I can pass it on to my son down the way.
You work for Coach Mike Hopkins: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He has been in the business for a long time so the way he treats people is top-tier. It only helps us as a staff because he knows what it takes to win.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against Auburn/Gonzaga and either St. Mary’s/Vanderbilt in the Wooden Legacy: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Every game in front of us is our biggest test. Last year we looked forward to some of our biggest matchups and slipped up, but this year we will take it 1 game at the time. We want to be 1 of the best teams in the conference and I think that we have a great opportunity.
Last year you had 1 of the most experienced teams in the nation with 1 freshman/0 sophomores among your 10 players who spent some time on the court: how much pressure is there on your new transfers (including Keion Brooks/Noah Williams) to contribute right from the start? There is a little bit of pressure but they definitely deserve it. It is a position that they have been wanting so we will use all of their talent. They have been great leaders and we want them to play the best they can for us.
What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? The NCAA tourney is the biggest goal for every team. I think it is very realistic and we are striving for it 1 game at a time. If we make it then we will be ecstatic because anything can happen one you get there.