Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Utah SO F Reese Ross

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Jon Teitel

We are still about 6 weeks 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 Utah SO F Reese Ross, who talked about joining a new conference and her expectations for this season.

You were born/raised in South Dakota, where you were named 2023 Gatorade state POY: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It was such a cool honor because it is nationally recognized, so I do not take it for granted. Some of the most profound athletes in all different sports have won that award in the past so I am so grateful for it.

What made you choose Utah for college? So many things. We were originally in the “Conference of Champions” and the chance to play against the best of the best is not something you get to do every day. Being around Mount Rushmore back home means that being outside is important to me, as is having a social life and getting to do things outside of basketball. I also like having coaches who know what they want out of a player. There is a great support staff here, the media is awesome, and we have great sports psychologists: it is like a family and no matter what you need you can find it.

You play for Coach Lynne Roberts: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? She is awesome! She is very balanced: she tells you what you need to hear but always has the best intentions at heart. She is such a unique coach because she cares. We have had some players transfer in and it is interesting to her what coaches at other schools are like: she is amazing.

You played in 31 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I have a tenacious ability to do the dirty work. If I can get a couple of offensive REB/defensive stops then it is not about me but about something more. My high school coach taught me that basketball is played best when you play for each other.

Last November you had a pair of double-doubles against Alaska-Anchorage/Merrimack: how were you able to be so productive despite playing fewer than 20 minutes/game? Just going out there and competing. I never try to get 10 PTS or 10 REB or any other individual stats: I just try to play hard. My teammates and I bring out the best playing styles in each other because we have unique skill sets. If you play hard and do the little things right…then the stats will come along with it.

Last December you scored 2 PTS in a 9-PT loss to eventual NCAA champion South Carolina: where does that undefeated Gamecocks team rank among the greatest that you have ever seen? It was pretty dang cool to get to play such a high-level opponent so early in the season. It really shows that we are a high-level program who can compete with anyone in the country: it is not like we got blown out by 40 PTS. We were underestimated in a way because we have so much potential: it really helped us see what we can do if we ride that train together.

In the 2024 NCAA tourney you had a win over South Dakota State before losing to Gonzaga: what did you learn from that tourney run that you think will help you this year? That is what separates you from other athletes: having experience in pressure moments. Our team has an extra year of experience so that will make us more comfortable this year going into big moments. We can make it back to the NCAA tourney this year…and then try to go a little bit further.

You finished the season by shooting 51.1 FG%/40.5 3P%: what is the key to being a great shooter? Repetition. Our coaches do an amazing job at player development: I was not the most skilled player when I arrived here, but the staff does a great job of bringing out the best in each player. Whether I am working on my shot from beyond the arc or my footwork down low, there is always a chance to get better. Those high shooting percentages helped get me onto the court, and the chance to play with teammates who put up crazy-good numbers of their own made me want to do the same.

Your school joined the Big 12 during the offseason: any thoughts on conference realignment? It is exciting. Being from South Dakota it will be nice to play at Iowa State this winter so that my family/friends can come see me. We want to play the best of the best and we have a unique style of basketball that will carry over to the Big 12, which will broaden our horizons. There is no doubt in my mind that we will prove to the entire conference that we are here to compete.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We want to make a statement in our new conference and prove that we can overcome any adversity. Everyone’s goal is to win a national title, but it starts with winning our preseason games and getting better. As much as people do not talk about going out and getting wins, it will all come together when you play as a team.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Middle Tennessee G Jalynn Gregory

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Jon Teitel

We are still about 6 weeks 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 Middle Tennessee G Jalynn Gregory, who talked about graduating last summer and her expectations for this season.

You originally committed to UT-Martin before reopening your recruitment: what made you choose Middle Tennessee? The culture that they have developed through the years. It is very much a close-knit family and they are not afraid to tell you what you are doing right/wrong. I am such a big family person so that drew me here.

You play for Coach Rick Insell: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? There are so many things that make him a good coach but 2 of the most important are his love for the game and his directness. When he gets on you he is just trying to make you better: if he let us sit there and be complacent then we would just be a mediocre team.

In the 2022 WNIT quarterfinals you made 2 FTs to tie the game with 7 seconds left (your only 2 PTS of the game) in a 2-PT win at Toledo: how nervous were you with the game on the line as a freshman, and did you think that you were going to make them both? Of course I was nervous: it was a big game and 1 of the best atmospheres that I have ever played in. I have prepared myself for moments like that so Rick gave me a head nod and that was enough for me to know “I got this”.

In the 2023 C-USA tourney title game you scored 24 PTS/5-5 3PM in a win over Western Kentucky en route to being named conference 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 my night for the team: I had to step up as part of my job and the role I play. I was the 1 being left open so I had to do it for them. We were all so excited and happy for each other in the locker room.

Last December you scored a team-high 22 PTS/5-9 3PM in a win over Tennessee: how big a deal was it to get the 1st win over the Lady Vols in school history, and how do you like your chances for the rematch in Knoxville this November? That was a great feeling, especially growing up as a Tennessee kid watching Coach Pat Summitt. It pushed a lot of us to win that battle, and the next battle in November will not be easy, but we are just as good as last year so I think our chances of winning again are good.

Last season you won each of your final 16 regular season games, then won the C-USA tourney, then scored 24 PTS in a 2-PT upset of Louisville in the NCAA tourney before losing at defending-champ LSU: what did you learn from that remarkable run that you think will help you this year? Every day you have to work to win that next game. You cannot get ahead of yourself, take it 1 game at a time, and try to win the next practice.

You are a career 87.1% FT shooter and have led the league in 3PM during each of the past 2 years: what is the key to being a great shooter? Staying consistent in the gym, keeping a positive mindset, and always believing that your next shot is going in.

Your cousin Kelsey played basketball at Lipscomb: who is the best athlete in the family? I will have to go with myself but we were different kinds of players. She was a true PG but had 3 ACL tears so we never got to see what she could really do.

You graduated with a degree in psychology a couple of months ago: how does it feel?! It feels great! I enjoyed getting to graduate early and my current schedule does not involve any in-person classes, but I am glad that I get to work on my next degree (a Masters in professional studies with a concentration in leadership).

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to play my role for my team and do a better job of being a vocal leader while backing it up with my actions. We want to be ranked after non-conference play, go undefeated again during conference play by taking it 1 game at a time, and then make it to the Elite 8/Final 4.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews Paul Loeffler and Randy Rosenbloom about 2016 Olympic gold medalist Paul George

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Jon Teitel

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have now won 17 gold medals in the 20 tournaments they have participated in during the past 88 years, while the women have won 10 gold medals in the 12 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 48 years. While we have to wait 4 years until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel will fill the void by interviewing as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible. We continue our coverage by chatting with Fresno State play-by-play guys Paul Loeffler and Randy Rosenbloom about Paul George joining a new team last summer and winning a gold medal.

After Paul’s junior year of high school he verbally committed to Santa Clara (the 1st school that offered him a scholarship) but later decommitted because his high school coach thought he should keep his options open, then committed to Pepperdine but decommitted after Coach Vance Walberg (now the coach at Fresno State) resigned, and ultimately chose Fresno State because it was closer to home and he liked the campus: what was the reaction when he 1st arrived after this rollercoaster of a recruiting process? Paul Loeffler: Nobody really knew who he was. Steve Cleveland was the coach at the time and had a very good NIT team and a player named Dom McGuire who left early for the NBA. Paul was a skinny 6’7” FR who was all limbs. Early on you could see his skill: he had a laborious release on perimeter shots…but he made them. His coming-out moment was during 1 of those season-kickoff games that tipped off at 11 PM PT on national TV. In 1 halfcourt set against St. Mary’s he got into the paint and hammered home a dunk (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uXmDwm8UJY): everyone in the gym had their jaws drop. He was injured as a sophomore (which cost him all-conference honors) but still finished the year strong. When he declared for the draft some people were unsure if he was ready but Pacers president Larry Bird saw something in him. Randy Rosenbloom: It is different for me because I got to see him play in a high school all-star game called “The Battle of the Valley” where he is from. That is where I 1st saw him and he was far and away the most talented player on the floor even though he was a little raw. After the game I had a nice chat with his mom/dad. I did not want to influence kids but I had heard that he was considering a few schools including Fresno State/Pepperdine. I told his parents that I felt he would fit in well with Pepperdine’s transition game and I was friends with their coach (Tom Asbury). I did not realize at that time that he would become an NBA superstar.

In 2009 he was 1 of the top-15 freshman scorers in the nation: how was he able to make such a smooth transition from high school to college? PL: He was 1 of those guys who believed in himself more than other people did. His parents moved to a small town 30 minutes outside of Fresno called Kingsburg, so they were able to attend all his games. Since there was not a lot of talent on the team that year he got a lot of playing time on the wing and was hitting 3s and was a much better defender than anyone realized. There was nothing he could not do and as he put on weight and gained more confidence he got better and better. RR: He was just more athletic than everyone around him. There was 1 game I remember against St. Mary’s that tipped off at midnight during an ESPN season-opening marathon game: Paul told me that he was yawning during the layup line! He made a dunk over Mickey McConnell that is still on YouTube.

In 2010 he set a school record with 90.9 FT%: what was his secret for making FTs? PL: Just dedication and work ethic: that is why he is 1 of the best players on the planet. He was not as good a FT shooter as a freshman but worked hard on his shooting. The old adages of muscle memory/repetition: he just became automatic that year. There was 1 home game vs. Boise State where he scored 29 PTS and became the leader of this team, which is a game that I think he would always remember. RR: 1 thing about Paul is that he had some holes in his game but he was trying to do a lot of different things. There was 1 game at Louisiana Tech where he had to play the point and helped them win down the stretch, which really impressed me. He had a streak of about 30 straight during that season that is still among the best in school history. I do not know if there is any secret to it: I think it was just a case of his hard work paying off. He missed a few games with a sprained ankle and I recall his 1st game back at Hawaii just lathering up before the game: I realized then and there that he was going to be great. He is a streaky player but when he goes off…he goes OFF! He scored 15 PTS in the 1st 4 minutes vs. Pepperdine and then did the exact same thing at Montana. Those 2 games showed his explosiveness, especially those 4-minute windows: we were looking at a Kobe/LeBron-type player.

In the spring of 2010 he was selected 10th overall by Indiana in the NBA draft: did he see that as a validation of his college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? PL: I think it was big-time validation because a lot of people questioned him when he decided to leave early…but he knew. He made a strong impression during his workouts and improved on everything: his foul-shooting, his 3-PT shooting, etc. He shored up every potential weakness in his game and scouts saw that he could guard anyone 1-5. My colleague Randy and I had a trip to Oregon State during his sophomore year and were trying to come up with a good nickname for him. He would often swoop right to the rim and Randy came up with the nickname “Swoop Dog”, which we used the rest of the year and which Paul liked. I still remember several of his dunks. RR: I do not think that it was unexpected by him. They got eliminated that March at the WAC tourney and I heard that he told the media that he was coming back the following year…but then he came on our postgame show and told us that he was jumping to the NBA. He had holes in his game and was inconsistent but certainly had his moments. He knew that he was explosive enough so I am not surprised that he went 10th overall. I knew a San Antonio scout named David Fehte who was hoping that he would drop to 16.

In 2019 he led the NBA in SPG and he is a 4-time member of the All-Defensive Team: what makes him such a great defender? PL: Clearly his length has something to do with that. He is coordinated and knows how to position himself to bait his opponent. He moves his feet well, can block shots, and is a student of the game. He has a humble confidence, which he got from his parents. He had the desire to outwork everyone, which you do not always see. RR: He is long, athletic, has a huge wingspan, and is very coachable. People say that Tom Brady did not mind getting yelled at, and I think Paul is the same way. His body made him a quick athlete and he worked hard on defense after people got in his ear.

In November of 2012 he broke Reggie Miller’s franchise record with 9 3PM in a win over New Orleans and he should pass Jason Terry next season to enter the top-10 of most career 3PM: how did he balance his great long-range shooting with his great defense? PL: If he sees a weakness in his game then that is what he pays attention to. His shot was a work in progress when he 1st arrived but it was consistent. Now he has a quick release and can get it off from any angle. He moves with great fluidity and everything he does is smooth both on and off the court. His range is limitless and he has the courage to take those shots. I do not think he gets enough credit for his mental game. RR: He had endurance working on his side so when he is in a game he can go for long stretches at a time. He is in great shape and always comes to camp in shape, which makes him a great 2-way player. Even in that high school game I recall him hitting 5 threes in the 2nd half. He has great confidence in his shot and can get to his spot, and if you get in his face then he can drive right around you.

He played for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics: what did it mean to him to represent his country, and what did it mean to him to win a gold medal? PL: I know it meant the world to him and his family. It is never about him but rather who he represents. The injury in 2014 was catastrophic/devastating but it steeled his resolve and he came back even stronger. I do not know exactly how to rank the players today but I think he is 1 of the top-5 players on the planet in terms of his all-around game. RR: He is an emotional guy so I think that it had to mean everything for him. Imagine a guy making it to the Olympics after not being recruited heavily by USC/UCLA, playing for the Clippers rather than the Lakers, then having that horrible injury in Vegas.

In 2019 his #24 was retired by Fresno State: where does he rank among the greatest players in school history? PL: His playing career at Fresno State was good but not great. Other players had better stats or more team success but nobody has come close to what he has done in the NBA in terms of stats/awards. When he came back for the retirement ceremony the entire Clippers organization also came here for it, from his teammates to his coach Doc Rivers to his owner Steve Ballmer. RR: It depends on how you look at it. If you are talking about the most accomplished NBA player he is #1, but in terms of his college career he was not even 1st-team all-conference, although he had great moments. He was like Sandy Koufax/Gale Sayers: a streaking guy who went through the program in just 2 years.

Last July he signed as a free agent with the 76ers: how do you think that he is going to do in Philly? PL: I think he will mesh with them perfectly because it is never about him. During his time here his mother was battling some specific health challenges, so he has never taken anything for granted. That is why he was willing to play the post in high school: he always put his team/family 1st. He knows the 76ers have plenty of other firepower so if they need him to give it up to Joel Embiid he will: he is the ideal team guy, which has had a huge role in his success. He gave his cell # to everyone on the Fresno roster last year and told them to call him if he needed anything: the quality of human being that he is has not changed a bit. RR: He fits in: he has the man in the middle in Embiid and has Tyrese Maxey at the point so he will get a lot of opportunities to make threes. He will have to perform otherwise the crowd will get on his case in Philly but he should get really good looks and have success.

He is a 9-time All-Star: do you think that we will see him inducted into the Hall of Fame some day? PL: I do not think there is any doubt because he is not done so his numbers will only get better. No matter how you slice it his consistency over time, on top of overcoming an injury that would have ended many players’ careers, is amazing. He has made the game better and is an ambassador for every team he has played on because that is the kind of guy he is. He is not looking for the spotlight but it will find him because of the good he does. RR: He is 1 of my favorite guys but the main knock is that his team has never won a title. He is closing in on 20,000 PTS with 20 PPG, which is very hard to do, and when you add in the STL/defense then it will be hard to deny him. I think it is a better than 50-50 shot. I am rooting for him internally since I have known him for so long and because he is just a friendly guy.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews Randy Bennett about 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Matthew Dellavedova

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Jon Teitel

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have now won 17 gold medals in the 20 tournaments they have participated in during the past 88 years, while the women have won 10 gold medals in the 12 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 48 years. While we have to wait 4 years until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel will fill the void by interviewing as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible. We continue our coverage by chatting with St. Mary’s coach Randy Bennett about his former player Matthew Dellavedova being an NBA champion and winning a bronze medal.

photo credit: Daily Telegraph

Matthew was born/raised in Australia: how did you get him to St. Mary’s? Matt was at what was at that time the Australian Institute of Sport (now COE) and was part of a good age group. I saw him play PG in some tourney early on and really liked him. David Patrick was on my staff and helped recruit him. The only other visit he took was to Pacific and when he came to our place he committed. We knew that he was good and then after playing U-19 ball everyone else realized that he was good.

He started all 34 games as a freshman, averaged 12.1 PPG, and helped you reach the Sweet 16 with some crucial late FTs in a 7-PT upset of Villanova: how was he able to come in and contribute right from the start? I did not really know until we had him, but as soon as we saw him play at open gym/practice you just realized that he played a significant amount harder than anyone else. He could guard and was already strong so he was like a college player. He is probably the smartest person who ever played here with as good an attitude as anyone, as good a leader as anybody we have had here and as tough as anybody we have had here. There are some others up there with him in some categories but across the board I have never seen anyone quite like him. He was ready to play, ready to win, and was 1 of our 3 best players as a freshman.

In 2012 as a junior he was named conference POY: what did it mean to him to receive such an outstanding honor? We won the league during his sophomore year and Mickey McConnell was named conference POY. Mickey left and people wondered who our PG would be! We knew Delly was our PG and he won POY so we went back-to-back. He was always all about winning: he was not trying to be POY but received it because he was the best at making his team win. His junior year we won both the league and the conference tourney for the 1st time: we had a very good team with him and Rob Jones.

In January of 2013 he scored 18 PTS including a game-winning 40-footer at the buzzer in a 1-PT win over BYU (www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-Tb29zAzQ): what are your memories of the “Dellavedagger”? Incredible! It was a HECK of a game: it was 1 of the 1st times we went up to play BYU. Their guy Tyler Haws hit a big shot and the place was going nuts with 4 seconds left. Beau Levesque inbounded the ball and threw it deep to Delly and he was just playing/competing and it happened to go in. It went to crickets real fast: we were kind of stunned because the game was over. We were going to lose and then we were all celebrating: it just happened that quickly. The emotions in that game were unbelievable, as was our players’ composure to get a good shot with 4 seconds left. Delly is smart and did not panic and got us the best shot we could get and it happened to go in.

He graduated as the school’s all-time leader in PTS/AST/FT%/3PM and the following year the school retired his #4 jersey: where does he rank among the greatest players in school history? He is at the top: I do not even have to think about that. He played 4 years. Leader: top. Toughness: top. Work ethic: top. Intelligence/basketball IQ: top. His care factor: top. There are not many guys who can check the box on all of those. He is kind of the standard for our program. When we recruited him he was not the best talent but in terms of best player nobody who helps your program win there is nobody above him.

In 2013 he was named an Academic All-American: how did he balance his work on the court with his work in the classroom? He is just a smart guy who takes pride in his work whether it is basketball/academics/whatever. I think he won it twice: at that point we had never had anybody win it here so we never talked about it before. We have had a couple of guys do it since (Beau/Joe Rahon) so it is cool: he ever led in that department! When he is done playing I wish he would come work for us. He is heck of a guy who comes around, plays with our guys, and trains here during the offseason. He helps us out and gives money and does all the things you should do when you are 1 of those guys. He is just a 1st-class guy.

He went undrafted in 2013 but later played for Cleveland/Milwaukee/Sacramento: why did no team choose to select him, and how was he able to stick around for almost a decade? They passed on him because he is not the athlete they are looking for in a PG: they are looking for someone quicker/more athletic, maybe a better shooter (although he was a pretty good shooter in college). He was a 4-year guy and every time he stepped onto the floor he was the best PG. There were a couple of teams who knew he was under the radar. The reason he was successful is that he could really guard in the NBA: if he could not have done that then he would not have made it. Toughness/IQ/work ethic/leadership: all of those kicked in. He will help you win games whether he sets foot on that floor: all it takes is 1 coach/franchise to see that and believe in him, and the Cavaliers did and they ended up winning a championship. When he joined the Kings they made the playoffs for the 1st time in 17 years. He was not the reason they did it…but he was part of the reason based on his intangibles both on/off the court: he just breathes winning.

As a player for the Cavaliers he lost the Finals to Golden State in 6 games in 2015 but beat the Warriors in 7 games in 2016: what did it mean to you to see him win an NBA title? It meant a lot: I was happy/excited for him. It is so hard to get into that league, and play in that league, and stick in that league, and play for a championship team. He played minutes in the playoffs and had to guard Steph Curry a lot. It was funny: we are so proud of this guy but the whole Bay Area had to root against him because he was going against the Warriors! His style of play will get under your skin because he is so tough and coming at you. I was so proud for him and what he has overcome and his stick-with-it-ness: it was great to see him get to the top. Seeing him play in those games: there was a lot of pride to see a guy who had come through our program. It makes you feel that what you are doing is working in terms of player development and getting right between the ears. This program put him in a position to continue developing in those area: those were great times.

He played for Team Australia at the 2020 Olympics: what did it mean to him to represent the Boomers, and what did it mean to him to win a bronze medal? It was probably his greatest moment. If there is anyone who cares more about playing for his country then I do not know who it would be. To do that with his fellow countrymen and medal for the 1st time ever was tremendous pride for those guys. We had 2 other guys on that team and an assistant coach. It was special for our whole program at St. Mary’s but for Delly I think it is probably his biggest moment. Obviously, winning an NBA championship is way up there too.

When people look back on his career, how do you think that he should be remembered the most? I would say his leadership…but right behind it is his winning/toughness. He was a Gael through and through: whatever Matt does, he is in 110%. As a coach you learn from your players if you have 1 around like that: he has helped me to see where the bar sits for those categories because he kind of set the bar.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews 2020 Olympic gold medalist Ariel Atkins

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Jon Teitel

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have now won 17 gold medals in the 20 tournaments they have participated in during the past 88 years, while the women have won 10 gold medals in the 12 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 48 years. While we have to wait 4 years until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel will fill the void by interviewing as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible. We continue our coverage by chatting with Ariel Atkins about being a great defender and winning a gold medal.

In 2014 you were named national high school POY and a McDonald’s All-American: could you tell at the time that your fellow nominee A’ja Wilson was going to become a superstar? We obviously got glimpses of it. I never faced her during AAU/high school, but we did some national team stuff together and she was a focal point of the team. I always knew that she was good.

What made you choose Texas for college? I felt that it had everything I needed both athletically/academically and it was not too far from home.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you made the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual-champion UConn, and in the 2016 NCAA tourney you made the Elite 8 before losing to eventual-champion UConn: what was it like to keep running into Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma in March? 2016 was very tough.

In the spring of 2018 you were drafted 7th overall by Washington: did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the WNBA, or other? It was a lifelong dream and something that I always wanted to do. I was not sure if it would come true during my freshman year, but it was a full-circle moment for me to be drafted 7th since I wear #7.

In the 2018 playoffs you made it all the way to the Finals before getting swept by Seattle: were you sick of Breanna Stewart ruining your postseason every single year? I do not think she has ruined my postseason EVERY year!

In the decisive Game 5 of the 2019 WNBA Finals you scored 6 PTS in a win over Connecticut: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was pure excitement in the locker room. After getting swept the previous year we knew that we were coming back the following year locked in and would get it done. It was magical!

In 2021 you played for Team USA at the Olympics: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot. I have given a lot to USA Basketball, and it is always an honor for them to call you up. It was great to pursue that dream and win a gold medal.

You are the 1st player in WNBA history to be named All-Defensive team in each of your 1st 5 seasons: what is the key to being a great defender? Anticipation. I am not the biggest/fastest player, but I have good eyes and am pesky so I can use my height/quickness to my advantage.

Your career 84.5 FT% is top-40 all-time: what is the secret to making FTs? Funny enough, I have used the same routine since I was 16 years old. It is about focus and quieting things in your mind and focusing on what is in front of you.

You spent last year as the assistant coach for player development of Michigan women’s basketball: how did you like the gig, and what do you want to do after you retire as a player? I enjoyed it and have thought about coaching in the future but there are a few different avenues I am looking into as well. The kids and staff in Ann Arbor were amazing: they took me in and were very receptive/helpful to me.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Mississippi State assistant coach Scott Padgett

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Jon Teitel

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 Mississippi State assistant coach Scott Padgett, who talked about winning the 1998 NCAA title and his expectations for this season.

You played for Rick Pitino/Tubby Smith at Kentucky: what was the most important thing that you ever learned from either of them? Rick brought a children’s book to our 1st official practice which taught us how to focus on the task at hand. He stressed the importance of outworking the guy against you every day. The #1 thing about Tubby was how he treated everyone with respect: he would walk by the scorer’s table and get to know everyone’s name. My future wife played volleyball at Kentucky and after 1 practice he introduced himself to all of volleyball players: when he saw the 2 of us together a few days later he asked her what she was doing with “this knucklehead”!

In the 1997 NCAA tourney title game you scored 17 PTS in a 5-PT OT loss to Arizona: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? I have a 1-A and 1-B: that 1 is 1-A. I sat out the 1996 season when Kentucky won the title, and I know that it is very rare for a school to make 3 title games in a row. I was worried that I had missed out on my only chance: we missed a bunch of FTs so it was tough. 1-B is our loss to Michigan State in the 1999 Elite 8 because it ended my career.

In the 1998 NCAA tourney title game you scored 17 PTS in a 9-PT win over Utah: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? It was everything because it was always my dream: it is weird for your lifelong dream to arrive at age 21 because then you need to go get a new dream! I am still in touch with those guys: we called ourselves the “Leftovers” because none of us were good enough to leave early like some of our former teammates. When we landed at the airport there were thousands of fans screaming at the fence, and then a parade of cars back to the arena where 25,000 people were waiting there just to see us hold up the trophy.

You were named Academic All-SEC in both 1998/1999: how did you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I was always a good student but flunked out of school as a freshman. It was the 1st time that I was never “the guy”: I barely got onto the court. I let my academics suffer and had to work 3 jobs to make enough money to get back to school the following year. After working 7 days/week at those jobs I decided to dedicate myself to school by staying organized and getting ahead of things so that I would not need to play catch-up during road trips.

In January of 2005 as a player for Houston you made a 1-handed, off-balance last-second shot to beat the Knicks (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUXELjuxnDs): did you think that the shot was going in, and where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It is probably my best NBA moment: I grew up knowing that the Garden was a special place even for non-basketball players like Muhammad Ali. They put me in at the end of the game just to space the defense out, but when the Knicks double-teamed Tracy McGrady the ball came to me. I happened to dribble with my head up and could see that it was going in: I was just shocked that I had the ball in my hands.

You later spent 6 years as head coach at Samford: what is the biggest difference between being head coach vs. being an assistant coach? The head coaching job is all-encompassing and you need to ensure that everything is running smoothly. As an assistant you only have 1 main area to focus on like recruiting or player development or something else.

Last March as an assistant to Chris Jans at Mississippi State you made the SEC tourney semifinals before a 7-PT loss to Auburn, then lost to Michigan State in the NCAA tourney: what did your team learn from that postseason run that you think will help them this season? You hope that they realize every moment matters: the farther you got in a tourney the better the team you will face. 1 particular play can be the difference in advancing vs. going home so every detail matters.

You lost 5 of your top-7 scorers from last year (Jimmy Bell/Dashawn Davis/DJ Jeffries/Shakeel Moore/Tolu Smith): how will you try to replace all that offense/leadership? We added a lot of weapons on offense like Claudell Harris Jr./Riley Kugel/RJ Melendez/etc.: guys who can not only make plays for others but also shoot the ball. We played a lot through Tolu in the post the past couple of years but will probably shoot/make more threes this year then we have ever done before. From a leadership standpoint I think you will see Cam Matthews step up as THE leader, and Josh Hubbard will take more ownership as well.

The SEC got 2 new members this year in Oklahoma/Texas: any thoughts on conference realignment? It makes the league even better/tougher since they are both very good programs in multiple sports. We can all be a Monday morning QB and give our 2 cents…but what is nice is that I think the SEC is still at the top of the food chain.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We have had good years the past 2 years by making the NCAA tourney. We went 11-2 without Tolu last year so it was a great job by our guys to hold down the fort while he was injured. Now we want to go deeper in the tourney and try to win a couple of games: when you get hot in the tourney anything can happen. The 1st thing is to win a game to get that snowball rolling and then go from there.

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