We are still a couple of months away from the tip-off of a new 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 Charleston G Derrin Boyd, who talked about being named Scholar-Athlete of the Year and his expectations for this season.
In 2022 you transferred from Georgetown College to Lipscomb and became 1 of 2 players to start all 33 games: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? Coach Lennie Acuff believed in my offensive abilities. The staff stressed improvement on the defensive end, and I was able to learn the system very quickly, which helped me beat out other people for the starting spot.
Last January you scored a career-high 38 PTS/8-11 3PM in a win at FGCU: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Definitely: it was 1 of the most memorable games of my career and a fun night because everything was going in so Coach let me keep shooting.
The following month you suffered a season-ending knee injury: how bad was it, and how is your health now? It was not horrendous: just a typical ACL tear. We are taking it week by week so I can be ready when the season starts.
Last year you were named conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It was a great honor: my mom has always stressed dedication in my life and I could tell how proud she was of that accomplishment. I did not win conference POY…but Scholar Athlete of the Year was still a nice award to have.
You shot 52.6 FG%/44 3P%/83.7 FT% last season: what is the secret to being a great shooter? Just repetition and putting in the work. You do not become a good shooter overnight: it takes time. I continue to work on it every summer and figure out my strengths/weaknesses: it is a process for sure.
Last April you picked a new school: why did you choose Charleston? The coaching staff led by new head coach Chris Mack: I could feel his enthusiasm as he gets back in the swing of things. After my injury I needed to find a team that believed in me, which was also a big thing. He made it seem so effortless to transfer from 1 school to another and knows what I can bring to the table.
Your roster has 4 freshmen/5 sophomores: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? I do not consider it pressure but I feel it is my duty as 1 of the older guys. The young guys are unseasoned but I have been through almost everything so I will try to build them up and let them know that it is not easy. You cannot get too high or low: just keep an even keel and get better every day.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against FAU/Oregon State: is there any 1 game that you feel will present your biggest test or that you are looking forward to the most? I am looking forward to every game on the schedule. Not a lot of people believed in me after my injury, which pissed me off a bit, so I want to go out and prove to everybody who did not want me that I am still here and can still do this.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? As a team I would love to get a 3-peat in the CAA and go to March Madness: I wanted to go last year but it was not in the cards. As an individual I would love to shoot 50/40/90 since I was right there last year and also win CAA POY.