Notes:
- Memphis transfer Antwann Jones was a little under the weather, but he toughed it out and made it through the full workout.
- Idaho State grad transfer Kelvin Jones has some work to do defensively, especially in ball screens, but he’s got an impressive skill set on the other end of the floor. Jones had a solid seal in the post in transition that he finished with a turnaround hook shot over former Bluejay big man Will Artino. Later, he got his man off his feet with a quick ball fake before finishing with a soft touch off the glass. He’s got a little bit of bounce, too, and is a pretty violent dunker.
- Sophomore forward Christian Bishop was all over the gym on Wednesday. Hard to remember a possession where he didn’t get his hands on the ball one way or another. He was constantly the first player to the floor in loose ball situations.
- Freshman guard Shereef Mitchell is an absolute menace defensively. He doesn’t have the length or physicality that Khryi Thomas had, but with his defensive chops it’s going to be hard to avoid those comparisons throughout his career. His hands are hyper-active on the ball and his anticipation skills are on par with the former two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. On Wednesday, Mitchell’s impact defensively resulted in a pick six when he jumped a swing pass, and another turnover when he forced a traveling violation by sneaking into position on an inbounds pass.
Q&A with a Bluejay: Senior guard Davion Mintz
Q: What feedback did you get from your NBA Draft evaluation and what, if any, tweaks did you make to your game as a result of that information?
A: I definitely tweaked the way I play defense with the way I pick up the ball. They liked the way I play solid, but they want to see me improve the way I defend off the ball. My second thing was shot consistency — knowing when to take the right shots to improve my percentages, and I raised the arc on my jump shot with the college line moving back. Being able to work out with NBA guys and get a high amount of reps from a further distance really helped my ability to be more consistent coming back to college. It was simple things, details, but they were some of the most important things that can help me get to the next level.
Q: You took the NCAA Tournament loss your sophomore year really hard for a variety of reasons. Entering your senior year where is your sense of urgency at this point?
A: I just want to win. That’s the only thing on my mind. I know that the personal stuff will take care of itself. I just have go out there and win games and do whatever it takes, whether that’s 20 steals or 20 points or 20 high-fives, it doesn’t matter. I just don’t want to lose senior year. It would hurt if I left and never won a tournament game in my career. That would be a hard hit. This is my reality. It went by so fast and that’s what I tell the freshmen. I remember my first day on campus. Things change, the people change, but the time is still going to keep moving. It’s going to go by quick, so you have to cherish every moment and go as hard as you can.
Q: How do you feel about the new strength and conditioning program you guys have gone through this summer?
A: Man, let me tell you something. I don’t know what happened, I don’t know what we’ve been doing, but last night I went between the legs off two feet and dunked it. I’ve never done that before in my life. My explosiveness with the way Jeremy has been working with us has been elite. It’s obviously paying off for me. He watches the entire practice and sees how our bodies move, he’s like a dog walking us through the whole process. It’s amazing and I really appreciate that change that they made for us. It’s real next level type of stuff that we’re doing.
Q: What are you most excited about for this trip to Australia?
A: I don’t have to wait until October to hoop. That’s the most important thing to me — that I can play a regulated game early. I feel like the season is starting early for us and that’s the coolest part for me.
Q: That’s it?! You’re going to Australia.
A: That’s definitely exciting. I’m an adventurous type of person, but more so on Instagram or YouTube so I can just look at it. I’m not an adventurous type of person personally. I don’t want to get bit by bugs or anything like that.
Q: I think you’re going to the wrong place if that’s the case.
A: See, that’s why I’ll be in the hotel.
Q: Are you afraid of stingrays, too, like Damien? (Editor’s Note: Read yesterday’s practice report for context)
A: Yeah, I need to stay by the shore. But I heard sharks are coming to the shore now, so I’m real hesitant about getting further than waist deep.
Q: So you’re a pool guy, too? You need a controlled environment?
A: Exactly. That’s my limit.
