We are less than 1 week away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have a little time left 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 Sacred Heart JR PG Ny’Ceara Pryor, who talked about leading the nation in SPG and her expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Baltimore: what made you choose Sacred Heart? When I arrived on campus it was so beautiful and the staff/players were very welcoming. Some places try to sweet talk you to get you into the bag, but this felt like a home away from home with a close-knit family.
You play for Coach Jessica Mannetti: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? She crafts her players into what she wants them to be but also trusts them, even as freshmen. She trusts us to make plays and do what is best for the team. We have position coaches who talk directly to us because she relies on them. Ever since I was named team captain as a freshman, she taught me how to be vocal, which will help me with other career goals.
As a freshman you became the 1st player in league history to be named NEC POY/DPOY/ROY in the same season: how were you able to come in and dominate right from the start? Putting in the work was the biggest thing for me. I am 5’3” but did all the work that nobody sees: the work you put in is the work you will get out.
That year you led the nation with 3.7 SPG and led the conference with 17.8 PPG: how are you able to balance your offense with your defense? Defense is WAY more important than offense: it wins you championships! There are so many other things you can get out of good defense: assists, buckets, etc. Scoring points is an individual thing but defense shows how connected you are with your team and how well you know your scouting report.
In the 2023 NEC tourney title game you had 20 PTS/11 REB/7 AST in a win over FDU en route to being named tourney MVP: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? That was crazy: we had a pit in our stomach because it was now or never. The day before the game Coach had us write down what we wanted to get out of the game and what we prayed for. I won a state title in high school and remember telling myself to not make the game bigger than it was. When you make it bigger it becomes bigger, so I just did whatever my team needed.
Last December you had the school’s 2nd-ever triple-double with 25 PTS/11 REB/10 AST in a win over Bryant: where does that rank among the best all-around games of your career? Triple-doubles do not come easily for a 5’3” guard. I put so much out there so to get that accolade was amazing. My team was very proud of me, but I just put it behind me and moved on to the next game.
Last year you set a school-record with 636 PTS: what is the secret to being a great scorer? Just reading the defense, see how they are playing you, and adjusting. As a freshman a lot of teams sagged off me, so as a PG I just tried to make the right reads. It is all about your basketball IQ.
In 2024 you won the conference tourney again, were named conference tourney MVP again, and made the NCAA tourney again: what is the key to winning games in March? Being healthy: if you are still aching from the regular season then you will lose to a team that is more connected/focused. You must take it 1 quarter at a time and be yourself.
You are team captain again this year: what is the key to being a good leader? Knowing when to speak and knowing when to let your actions speak for themselves. I was more vocal last year as a sophomore but not everyone responds the same way. Most people do not respond to yelling but some people need to get called out to get their head into the game. You need to connect with your team and get everybody on board.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? A lot of people have expectations for me but the effort I put in will show itself, and when it does then the people who have my back will be proven right. Some of my goals are being a better leader, turning us into the best team that we can be, trusting in my coaches, etc. Accolades do not matter to me: it is all about winning, and the accolades will come if you put the work in. We are trying to get the 3-peat this season.