April 4, 2024 • 17 mins
In between prepping for the college three point championship and the NABC All-Star game, Xavier's Quincy Olivari joined us from Phoenix on ESPN1530.
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Listen to the show live weekday afternoons 3:00 - 6:00 on ESPN1530.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
They didn't get in until about sixtysix hours before Saturday's tip off time,
So now I'm not sure. Here'swhat I am sure of. Quincy Alaveri
is gonna be on the court tonight, he is participating. Is gonna be
really busy the next couple of days. Tonight the Men's three Point Championship is
part of the thirty fifth annual CollegeSlam Dunkin three Point Championship. That's gonna
(00:20):
be a Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. And then tomorrow representing the East squad
in the NABC All Star Game,which is gonna be at the same stadium
that Saturday's final four games are goingto be played. Quincy Alaveri is on
the East team, obviously coming offan awesome season at Xavier. He was
second in the Big East in scoringand still somehow just and just as a
(00:41):
relative term honorable mention All Big EastPlayer, which is kind of ridiculous.
He is kind enough to join usfrom Phoenix where correct me if I'm wrong,
you are just getting done with oneof two practices today, correct,
yes, sir, And then Ihave to run over to Arizona State soon
for Reese's All Star Game. Practice. So it's busy, busy a couple
(01:04):
of days, all right, Sokind of walk me through because you're you're
preparing for a lot. You gottonight, you got tomorrow. When did
you get to Phoenix? What havethe last couple of days been? Like?
I got to Phoenix yesterday. Yesterdaywas early morning flight, got here,
staying in Scottsdale. Got here andstarted napping just because you know,
I kind of wanted to try mybest to get get the jet lag out
(01:27):
and prevent as much jet lag asI could. And then I was I
just kind of chill. Yesterday wecame up to the gym, got to
see what Grant Cane looked like.And then after that I had to go
to Arizona State for my Reese's practicewith Coach Camp. Coach Camp. That
was pretty cool, you know,just kind of being with him. He's
a real cool coach. Pretty lateback. I mean, obviously he's an
(01:49):
All Star game, but you know, he's still still cool. And then
I went shopping. I went toFashion Square just to see what they had,
and that's really it. You know, today we're leaving Grand Cane and
then, like I said, Igotta go to Arizona State soon for practice
again. All right. So thepractice you just had was for tonight for
the three point shootout? What's thatlike? Yeah? So they were just
talking about what the events were,kind of like a little walk through what
(02:13):
to expect the order. I'll spoilit now. I'm going My first round
three point contest is against Antonio Reevesfrom Kentucky, Okay, withish me luck,
Yeah, and then we'll kind ofgo from there. And I'm also
in like the little hot shot tostart tonight. All right. So I
mean, look, you're a greatthree point shooter, all time single season
record holder, exavior, you canknock down the three. But is do
(02:37):
you alter your routine? Is therea special thing you do to practice for
a competition like tonight? Just getget directs out, find out early with
side I'm comfortable shooting from, andthen go from there. You know,
it's nothing special, just slowing mymind down, slowing my breathing it down,
and going out there and do whatI doing, what I know I
can do best. All right.So that's tonight and then tomorrow night is
(02:57):
the All Star Game. So areyou guys installing tough? What's this going
to be like, yeah, wedid a couple of couple of basic plays,
but for the most part, CoachCoach Camp was just like, just
go out there and have fun.Show show what you can do and if
you if you feel like you cando more, like if you're big that
feels like you can shoot, goout there and shoot the bubble. Just
go out there and play confidence,play with confidence and have fun. You
know, it's it's an all stargame, but you don't want to disrespect
(03:19):
the game. But by just lookinglike you don't care, go out there,
have fun, play hard, andenjoyed the moment because we are everybody
here has had a wonderful career,had a wonderful year, and it's this
is like a time to time toenjoy that. Do you go out in
and have some more have some moreserious fun this summer for the NBA.
Yeah, no, which which we'regoing to talk about. So you played
against one of your teammates is joshO Duro from Providence, Jack Golkie from
(03:42):
Oakland. Obviously you played against TimDo you know any of these guys you're
playing with? Have you played withany of them before? So? Jamiir
Young, he started off as Charlottein converse, Youssa, and I think
that is it. You know,Josh is really cool, and you know,
we kind of laughed a little bit. The first thing I said to
him, I was, finally Ican get some illegal screens on my team
instead of the other side. Andso that was that was that was kind
(04:06):
of cool. And then Jamison Battlehe goes to uh, he goes to
Ohio State. I'm just kind ofcatching up with him, telling him how
I was. I was close andjust kind of being cool there. And
obviously Jack Jack we played earlier inthe year, uh, he remembers.
And then on the other team,we have Isaiah Crawford who with Louisiana Tech,
I was in Conress, you willsay, while I was at Rice,
(04:27):
and then I believe they I thinkthat's that might be it. You
know, I can't remember off thetop of my head because obviously we have
separate practices, so my my practiceis just filled with eat squad. Yeah,
no cool. So that's uh,that's tomorrow night. And then you
know, you mentioned this is kindof a respite for getting ready for what's
next. So so walk me throughover the next couple of weeks. Obviously,
(04:48):
Uh, the aspiration is to getto the NBA. So kind of
walk me through from when you walkedoff the court in your home state after
that game against Georgia to now andthen you know what's gonna happen this summer?
What are these months going to belike? So I recently just committed
to Tandem. Hold on, well, I've recently just committed to Tandem.
(05:12):
I'm about to sign my contract soonand then from there, just I'm gonna
after Phoenix, I'm gonna go toDallas and we're gonna be in Frisco and
that's where I'm gonna do my predraft work at and from there, I
got a Portsmouth invite, so I'llgo to Portmith and my year, my
summer will be based on my performanceat Portsmouth. Have have you talked with
players who have been through this processbefore, and if so, what have
(05:34):
they told you about it? Imean no, not not really. I
mean my brother, closest friend isTrey Murphy. Obviously, my my journey
will be different from his, butyou know, just the biggest thing he's
been telling me is just go outand play my game. Don't need to
force anything. To go out andplay my game and just praying that I
stay healthy. You know, that'sthe that's that's the best thing I can
(05:55):
have at this time right now.It's just to be healthy because I know
what I'm capable of when I'm healthy. Obviously, this was a goal of
yours when you came to Cincinnati andstarted your season at Xavier, and you
you had a remarkable season. Iknow from a team standpoint, it didn't
maybe go the way you would haveenvisioned, but still you were you were
terrific. And I'm going to complainabout you not being a first team All
(06:15):
Big East guy, but but wheredo you feel like your game has playing?
Let's do it. Well, let'sgo ahead and do that, because
I'll admit, like when when thosewhen that was announced, I was just
getting back from vacation. I'm kindof off the grid and I'm not really
paying attention. So then I goback on the air and I'm just assuming
Quincy Oliveri's the first team All BigEast guy. And then somebody says to
(06:36):
me, actually honorable mention, andI look, you're a hubble dude,
But still, man like, howdid they get that wrong? Yeah,
you would think that player that leastthe conference is going top of the Scout
and Report score score, multiple thirtypoint games led the Big East, and
the highest point scored in a gameforty three a third and what did now?
(06:59):
But at first it was me andthen me you know, you get
you kind of dropped the ball onthat. Uh led the team in defensive
rebounds, turnovers down. Still,you know, it's it's a lot of
things. I could go on andon about that. It's it's water under
the bridge. But you know,I think I think a key part of
that, well, our record,you know, at first, but Devin
(07:20):
Carter was Player of the year andthey were a seven seed. So if
we're gonna talk about record, thenit was inconsistent there. You know,
Devin Carter was most definitely player ofthe year. Well that that that would
have been my vote too. Butif that's the case, then record record
can't be a factor in a conferenceteam. You know, it's inconsistency there.
But I'm not I'm not gonna trip. I'm not gonna worry about it
(07:40):
because at the end of the day, it uh, it's water under the
bridge. But well, yeah,I'm that's definitely definitely pissed off about that.
Sure. I appreciate the honesty becausethere's a lot of guys in your
position that I would have said it, and it's no big deal. I
like the fact that you made thecase, So that was good. So
let's let's go back to the seasonand save You're just from an individual standpoint,
where do you feel alike? Fromwhen you arrived on campus to this
(08:01):
moment right now? Your game grewthe most, the biggest, the biggest
thing, I mean definitely three pointefficiency. Sure, yeah, you know,
I could say defense, I cansay rebound, I can say play
(08:22):
vacant. But I think the biggestjoke was just wee. The biggest thing
was I went to the next levelon my status got better or similar,
Right, you know, that's veryrare, so I'd probably just say efficiency.
I guess all right that that makesa lot of sense. This was
it was a lot of fun towatch you, but it was it was
a lot of fun to watch youon the floor, but it was also
(08:43):
a lot of fun to watch yousort of embrace the fan base and and
really kind of wrap your arms aroundthe campus and student life and fans.
You're you're having lunch with kindergarten kids, at their school. You're showing up
in Xavier fans houses. I mean, I watched this and thought, I
wish this dude was here for morethan a year. But just kind of
(09:03):
take me through what it was liketo to become such a beloved player here
in such a short amount of time. Oh, I mean, I enjoyed
my time in Cincinnati. You know, the fan love here was was was
amazing and I enjoyed every bit ofit. You know, I'm I'm a
big city kid, so I'm usedto being from a city. A lot
(09:24):
of people, a lot of skyscrapers, a lot of a lot of you
know, just big city energy,you know, growing up in Atlanta and
then living in Houston for four years. I came to Cincinnati and it was
like whoa, Like it's a littlebit more quiet here. And you know,
side note, like Opening Day waslast week and I was scratching my
head asking people from Cincinnati, likewhat is there? What is the parade
(09:46):
for? Like what's what's the bigdeal about Opening Day? And you know,
I learned the history of it,and you know, I have I
haven't I appreciate how much of anappreciation the citizens of Cuincinnati have for the
Rids because it's it's it's it's love. It's it's consistent love with Xavier Hoops,
with the Cincinnati Reds, with theteam that stays in Clifton. You
(10:09):
know, the it's it's it's it'svery consistent love with all the teams in
the in the in the city.And it made me very thankful that I
was able to come here and playhere because they they're very nice, they're
very receptive. Good game, badgame, They're not gonna uh, they're
gonna treat you the same, andthey're gonna have your back and that's that's
that's a that's a great thing todo. So me giving back the way
(10:31):
I did this year was just anexample of me shawing my appreciation for them
in ways that I thought would bevery helpful. What did you like most
about playing for Shawn Miller? Hisintensity? Man, He pushed me every
day mentally to be the best meI can be and just being an everyday
guy just let it reminded me thatI'm My energy is very uh, it's
(10:54):
very important to a team, andI can I can change out the vibe
of everything just while bringing energy becauseI'm more than just a shot maker.
I'm i'm I'm an energy giver,I'm a leader, I'm a rebounder,
I'm a defender, I'm a playmaker. I'm not just a score. You're
down there in Phoenix. The Finalfour is this weekend. You con is
down there. That's obviously a teamyou played against three times in the Big
(11:16):
East quarterfinal. Towards the end,you and Coach Hurley had a moment.
Take me through that, you know. Yeah, Coach early he always he
showed a lot of spect throughout theyear. Every game. The first game
he looked me at Zager, helooked me in my eye and he shook
my hand and said, man,you had another great game and again semitted
yourself as one of the best playersin the league. You know, so
(11:37):
let's side note. I know Igot his vote for All Conference. You
know, he told me early onI was one of the best players in
the league. He would go outhis way to make sure that I knew
that, and he shook my hand, and I was just too tired to
say anything back. But in thesecond game, even after we lost about
forty, he took his time,shook my hand and said, I have
(11:58):
a lot of respect for you areone a level player, and I always
I have fun game planning against aguy like you because you I have a
lot of respect for you, Andso I was a little bit. I
was a little bit. I wasn'tas out of breadth as I was before
being that we just lost so bad. Coach Miller didn't play this as much
just because it was no point,and I was able to just tell them,
like, you know, I workedthe front of four and I wanted
(12:20):
to clarify that when I said thisthe next level, like I was coming
from right, So I was comingfrom a mid major school, and so
to be able to see how highhigh major Power six conference schools go about
their daily routine, it's another level. It's another level of mental focus that
the players have to have, anotherlevel of put a push that coaches have
to do for their teammates so theycan all play at a high level.
(12:43):
And I'll just let them know,like I have a lot of respect for
you because I've seen behind closed doorshow you run your program. At least
I don't want to say behind closeddoors, but I've seen like in practices
and how you how you all conductthings, like how how you conduct your
program being that I worked the finalfour, so I saw when you walk
in, I saw how y'all wasset up practice. I saw things like
that, and I just wanted togive him his respect, and he showed
(13:05):
some respect back, show love,and so did so did coach Kamani and
the other staff. They all saidthe same thing. And so then the
third game, when I was walkingup the court, I thought I was
done. I thought I wasn't gonnacome back in. So I was just
kind of soaking in the moment playingin Madison Square Guard and the year I
just had not knowing if we getinvited to the n I t stuff like
that, So I just kind ofdidn't know what to expect. So I
(13:26):
thought it was a rep tap ofme telling me like, like, I'm
still in the game. So that'swhy I kind of didn't acknowledge it at
first, even he tapped me acouple of times, and then I finally
turned around, like, yo,why does this ref keep tappening. I
saw his coach, he like,you know, he's one of the He's
one of the real ones in theconference that I have a lot of respect
for. So I made sure Iwent back and acknowledged him, and then
at the end of the the endof the game and the layup lines,
(13:48):
he told me, like, I'ma time, shall go be an NBA
player. I'm gonna play fifteen fifteenyears or more in the NBA. And
scouting against me and playing against methis year was a joy, and you
got a lot of respect for mygame. I was taught for me to
go out there and be in proand playing the NBA. You know,
I told my family and some ofmy friends like that meant a lot because
(14:09):
people like him and Coach Miller,who have coached pros and played against pros
and knows what it takes to getto that level. They don't just say
that to anybody. So and theysee it and they tell you that they
actually mean it. And one ofmy goal, one of my goals in
life is to play in the NBA. And if people around you that know
what it takes and knows what thatlooks like tells you that it's like okay,
(14:33):
like I know he's not just justtelling me stuff to the champion stuff,
because all year he showed me alot of respect. And this is
the coach for the number one teamin the in the country. And he
sees it. Coach Miller has talkedto me and said similar things. You
know, so guys like that whenthey talk to me and tell me things
that it holds a lot of way. That's that's that's really cool perspective.
(14:54):
You played against Yukon, you playedagainst Purdue. Those are the two teams
I want to see play against eachother on Monday night. How would you
How would you handicap that game?I would? I would. I actually
think that would be the best bestway to end the end the year.
You know, Zach Edy seven four. I think Donald and Clean is seven
three seven. They're both seven footgiants, so I think I'm excited to
(15:15):
see how they'll finally match up againstsomeone their side. They're not picking on
about who's six ten. You knowthat it's two seven foot giants picking on
each other, and I think thatwould be pretty evenly matched. I think,
uh, I definitely would take youcon and not just seeing them obviously
Big East love and being that weplayed per Due, I just want to
root for the Big East. ButI think that would be the best,
(15:37):
the best national championship we can get. But I wouldn't have any problems seeing
DJ Burns and c State continue theirmagical run and that that I think that
would be fun to watch, youknow, I I want you kind of
win, But I'm not gonna hateon anybody because I know, I know
what it I know what it takesto get to that level or I know
(15:58):
how hard they had to work toget to that level. And I don't
want to brain on anybody, Sunshine, because that's one hell of a hell
of a feeling that they must allfour teams must be feeling. Yeah,
no, no question about it.You get a chance to take center stage
tonight and tomorrow. And I willadmit, because you mentioned the school in
(16:19):
Clifton, that's where my rooting allegiancesrest, but it was still aside from
the night you lit them up,a lot of fun to watch you this
season, and I'm going to berooting like heck free, not just this
weekend, but as you go throughthe pre draft process, and you had
a great year here, man,I wish we could have watched it for
more than one season, but youleft to mark you had a great season,
a terrific career. Best of luckthis weekend, Best of luck with
(16:42):
what's next, and I hope downthe road. We can do it again,
Quincy, thanks so much, Yes, sir, I appreciate you and
this opportunity. No problem, yougot it easy. Got to root for
Quincy OLIVERI. By the way,the three point contest, there's eight players
participating. You heard him mention AntonioReeves. That airs on ESPN tonight at
nine o'clock. The NABC All StarGame, which he's going to be playing
(17:03):
in tomorrow is at six point thirty, and that airzon CBS Sports Network.
We are insanely late, but itwas worth it. Four o'clock ESPN fifteen
thirty to it is
They didn't get in until about sixtysix hours before Saturday's tip off time,
So now I'm not sure. Here'swhat I am sure of. Quincy Alaveri
is gonna be on the court tonight, he is participating. Is gonna be
really busy the next couple of days. Tonight the Men's three Point Championship is
part of the thirty fifth annual CollegeSlam Dunkin three Point Championship. That's gonna
(00:20):
be a Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. And then tomorrow representing the East squad
in the NABC All Star Game,which is gonna be at the same stadium
that Saturday's final four games are goingto be played. Quincy Alaveri is on
the East team, obviously coming offan awesome season at Xavier. He was
second in the Big East in scoringand still somehow just and just as a
(00:41):
relative term honorable mention All Big EastPlayer, which is kind of ridiculous.
He is kind enough to join usfrom Phoenix where correct me if I'm wrong,
you are just getting done with oneof two practices today, correct,
yes, sir, And then Ihave to run over to Arizona State soon
for Reese's All Star Game. Practice. So it's busy, busy a couple
(01:04):
of days, all right, Sokind of walk me through because you're you're
preparing for a lot. You gottonight, you got tomorrow. When did
you get to Phoenix? What havethe last couple of days been? Like?
I got to Phoenix yesterday. Yesterdaywas early morning flight, got here,
staying in Scottsdale. Got here andstarted napping just because you know,
I kind of wanted to try mybest to get get the jet lag out
(01:27):
and prevent as much jet lag asI could. And then I was I
just kind of chill. Yesterday wecame up to the gym, got to
see what Grant Cane looked like.And then after that I had to go
to Arizona State for my Reese's practicewith Coach Camp. Coach Camp. That
was pretty cool, you know,just kind of being with him. He's
a real cool coach. Pretty lateback. I mean, obviously he's an
(01:49):
All Star game, but you know, he's still still cool. And then
I went shopping. I went toFashion Square just to see what they had,
and that's really it. You know, today we're leaving Grand Cane and
then, like I said, Igotta go to Arizona State soon for practice
again. All right. So thepractice you just had was for tonight for
the three point shootout? What's thatlike? Yeah? So they were just
talking about what the events were,kind of like a little walk through what
(02:13):
to expect the order. I'll spoilit now. I'm going My first round
three point contest is against Antonio Reevesfrom Kentucky, Okay, withish me luck,
Yeah, and then we'll kind ofgo from there. And I'm also
in like the little hot shot tostart tonight. All right. So I
mean, look, you're a greatthree point shooter, all time single season
record holder, exavior, you canknock down the three. But is do
(02:37):
you alter your routine? Is therea special thing you do to practice for
a competition like tonight? Just getget directs out, find out early with
side I'm comfortable shooting from, andthen go from there. You know,
it's nothing special, just slowing mymind down, slowing my breathing it down,
and going out there and do whatI doing, what I know I
can do best. All right.So that's tonight and then tomorrow night is
(02:57):
the All Star Game. So areyou guys installing tough? What's this going
to be like, yeah, wedid a couple of couple of basic plays,
but for the most part, CoachCoach Camp was just like, just
go out there and have fun.Show show what you can do and if
you if you feel like you cando more, like if you're big that
feels like you can shoot, goout there and shoot the bubble. Just
go out there and play confidence,play with confidence and have fun. You
know, it's it's an all stargame, but you don't want to disrespect
(03:19):
the game. But by just lookinglike you don't care, go out there,
have fun, play hard, andenjoyed the moment because we are everybody
here has had a wonderful career,had a wonderful year, and it's this
is like a time to time toenjoy that. Do you go out in
and have some more have some moreserious fun this summer for the NBA.
Yeah, no, which which we'regoing to talk about. So you played
against one of your teammates is joshO Duro from Providence, Jack Golkie from
(03:42):
Oakland. Obviously you played against TimDo you know any of these guys you're
playing with? Have you played withany of them before? So? Jamiir
Young, he started off as Charlottein converse, Youssa, and I think
that is it. You know,Josh is really cool, and you know,
we kind of laughed a little bit. The first thing I said to
him, I was, finally Ican get some illegal screens on my team
instead of the other side. Andso that was that was that was kind
(04:06):
of cool. And then Jamison Battlehe goes to uh, he goes to
Ohio State. I'm just kind ofcatching up with him, telling him how
I was. I was close andjust kind of being cool there. And
obviously Jack Jack we played earlier inthe year, uh, he remembers.
And then on the other team,we have Isaiah Crawford who with Louisiana Tech,
I was in Conress, you willsay, while I was at Rice,
(04:27):
and then I believe they I thinkthat's that might be it. You
know, I can't remember off thetop of my head because obviously we have
separate practices, so my my practiceis just filled with eat squad. Yeah,
no cool. So that's uh,that's tomorrow night. And then you
know, you mentioned this is kindof a respite for getting ready for what's
next. So so walk me throughover the next couple of weeks. Obviously,
(04:48):
Uh, the aspiration is to getto the NBA. So kind of
walk me through from when you walkedoff the court in your home state after
that game against Georgia to now andthen you know what's gonna happen this summer?
What are these months going to belike? So I recently just committed
to Tandem. Hold on, well, I've recently just committed to Tandem.
(05:12):
I'm about to sign my contract soonand then from there, just I'm gonna
after Phoenix, I'm gonna go toDallas and we're gonna be in Frisco and
that's where I'm gonna do my predraft work at and from there, I
got a Portsmouth invite, so I'llgo to Portmith and my year, my
summer will be based on my performanceat Portsmouth. Have have you talked with
players who have been through this processbefore, and if so, what have
(05:34):
they told you about it? Imean no, not not really. I
mean my brother, closest friend isTrey Murphy. Obviously, my my journey
will be different from his, butyou know, just the biggest thing he's
been telling me is just go outand play my game. Don't need to
force anything. To go out andplay my game and just praying that I
stay healthy. You know, that'sthe that's that's the best thing I can
(05:55):
have at this time right now.It's just to be healthy because I know
what I'm capable of when I'm healthy. Obviously, this was a goal of
yours when you came to Cincinnati andstarted your season at Xavier, and you
you had a remarkable season. Iknow from a team standpoint, it didn't
maybe go the way you would haveenvisioned, but still you were you were
terrific. And I'm going to complainabout you not being a first team All
(06:15):
Big East guy, but but wheredo you feel like your game has playing?
Let's do it. Well, let'sgo ahead and do that, because
I'll admit, like when when thosewhen that was announced, I was just
getting back from vacation. I'm kindof off the grid and I'm not really
paying attention. So then I goback on the air and I'm just assuming
Quincy Oliveri's the first team All BigEast guy. And then somebody says to
(06:36):
me, actually honorable mention, andI look, you're a hubble dude,
But still, man like, howdid they get that wrong? Yeah,
you would think that player that leastthe conference is going top of the Scout
and Report score score, multiple thirtypoint games led the Big East, and
the highest point scored in a gameforty three a third and what did now?
(06:59):
But at first it was me andthen me you know, you get
you kind of dropped the ball onthat. Uh led the team in defensive
rebounds, turnovers down. Still,you know, it's it's a lot of
things. I could go on andon about that. It's it's water under
the bridge. But you know,I think I think a key part of
that, well, our record,you know, at first, but Devin
(07:20):
Carter was Player of the year andthey were a seven seed. So if
we're gonna talk about record, thenit was inconsistent there. You know,
Devin Carter was most definitely player ofthe year. Well that that that would
have been my vote too. Butif that's the case, then record record
can't be a factor in a conferenceteam. You know, it's inconsistency there.
But I'm not I'm not gonna trip. I'm not gonna worry about it
(07:40):
because at the end of the day, it uh, it's water under the
bridge. But well, yeah,I'm that's definitely definitely pissed off about that.
Sure. I appreciate the honesty becausethere's a lot of guys in your
position that I would have said it, and it's no big deal. I
like the fact that you made thecase, So that was good. So
let's let's go back to the seasonand save You're just from an individual standpoint,
where do you feel alike? Fromwhen you arrived on campus to this
(08:01):
moment right now? Your game grewthe most, the biggest, the biggest
thing, I mean definitely three pointefficiency. Sure, yeah, you know,
I could say defense, I cansay rebound, I can say play
(08:22):
vacant. But I think the biggestjoke was just wee. The biggest thing
was I went to the next levelon my status got better or similar,
Right, you know, that's veryrare, so I'd probably just say efficiency.
I guess all right that that makesa lot of sense. This was
it was a lot of fun towatch you, but it was it was
a lot of fun to watch youon the floor, but it was also
(08:43):
a lot of fun to watch yousort of embrace the fan base and and
really kind of wrap your arms aroundthe campus and student life and fans.
You're you're having lunch with kindergarten kids, at their school. You're showing up
in Xavier fans houses. I mean, I watched this and thought, I
wish this dude was here for morethan a year. But just kind of
(09:03):
take me through what it was liketo to become such a beloved player here
in such a short amount of time. Oh, I mean, I enjoyed
my time in Cincinnati. You know, the fan love here was was was
amazing and I enjoyed every bit ofit. You know, I'm I'm a
big city kid, so I'm usedto being from a city. A lot
(09:24):
of people, a lot of skyscrapers, a lot of a lot of you
know, just big city energy,you know, growing up in Atlanta and
then living in Houston for four years. I came to Cincinnati and it was
like whoa, Like it's a littlebit more quiet here. And you know,
side note, like Opening Day waslast week and I was scratching my
head asking people from Cincinnati, likewhat is there? What is the parade
(09:46):
for? Like what's what's the bigdeal about Opening Day? And you know,
I learned the history of it,and you know, I have I
haven't I appreciate how much of anappreciation the citizens of Cuincinnati have for the
Rids because it's it's it's it's love. It's it's consistent love with Xavier Hoops,
with the Cincinnati Reds, with theteam that stays in Clifton. You
(10:09):
know, the it's it's it's it'svery consistent love with all the teams in
the in the in the city.And it made me very thankful that I
was able to come here and playhere because they they're very nice, they're
very receptive. Good game, badgame, They're not gonna uh, they're
gonna treat you the same, andthey're gonna have your back and that's that's
that's a that's a great thing todo. So me giving back the way
(10:31):
I did this year was just anexample of me shawing my appreciation for them
in ways that I thought would bevery helpful. What did you like most
about playing for Shawn Miller? Hisintensity? Man, He pushed me every
day mentally to be the best meI can be and just being an everyday
guy just let it reminded me thatI'm My energy is very uh, it's
(10:54):
very important to a team, andI can I can change out the vibe
of everything just while bringing energy becauseI'm more than just a shot maker.
I'm i'm I'm an energy giver,I'm a leader, I'm a rebounder,
I'm a defender, I'm a playmaker. I'm not just a score. You're
down there in Phoenix. The Finalfour is this weekend. You con is
down there. That's obviously a teamyou played against three times in the Big
(11:16):
East quarterfinal. Towards the end,you and Coach Hurley had a moment.
Take me through that, you know. Yeah, Coach early he always he
showed a lot of spect throughout theyear. Every game. The first game
he looked me at Zager, helooked me in my eye and he shook
my hand and said, man,you had another great game and again semitted
yourself as one of the best playersin the league. You know, so
(11:37):
let's side note. I know Igot his vote for All Conference. You
know, he told me early onI was one of the best players in
the league. He would go outhis way to make sure that I knew
that, and he shook my hand, and I was just too tired to
say anything back. But in thesecond game, even after we lost about
forty, he took his time,shook my hand and said, I have
(11:58):
a lot of respect for you areone a level player, and I always
I have fun game planning against aguy like you because you I have a
lot of respect for you, Andso I was a little bit. I
was a little bit. I wasn'tas out of breadth as I was before
being that we just lost so bad. Coach Miller didn't play this as much
just because it was no point,and I was able to just tell them,
like, you know, I workedthe front of four and I wanted
(12:20):
to clarify that when I said thisthe next level, like I was coming
from right, So I was comingfrom a mid major school, and so
to be able to see how highhigh major Power six conference schools go about
their daily routine, it's another level. It's another level of mental focus that
the players have to have, anotherlevel of put a push that coaches have
to do for their teammates so theycan all play at a high level.
(12:43):
And I'll just let them know,like I have a lot of respect for
you because I've seen behind closed doorshow you run your program. At least
I don't want to say behind closeddoors, but I've seen like in practices
and how you how you all conductthings, like how how you conduct your
program being that I worked the finalfour, so I saw when you walk
in, I saw how y'all wasset up practice. I saw things like
that, and I just wanted togive him his respect, and he showed
(13:05):
some respect back, show love,and so did so did coach Kamani and
the other staff. They all saidthe same thing. And so then the
third game, when I was walkingup the court, I thought I was
done. I thought I wasn't gonnacome back in. So I was just
kind of soaking in the moment playingin Madison Square Guard and the year I
just had not knowing if we getinvited to the n I t stuff like
that, So I just kind ofdidn't know what to expect. So I
(13:26):
thought it was a rep tap ofme telling me like, like, I'm
still in the game. So that'swhy I kind of didn't acknowledge it at
first, even he tapped me acouple of times, and then I finally
turned around, like, yo,why does this ref keep tappening. I
saw his coach, he like,you know, he's one of the He's
one of the real ones in theconference that I have a lot of respect
for. So I made sure Iwent back and acknowledged him, and then
at the end of the the endof the game and the layup lines,
(13:48):
he told me, like, I'ma time, shall go be an NBA
player. I'm gonna play fifteen fifteenyears or more in the NBA. And
scouting against me and playing against methis year was a joy, and you
got a lot of respect for mygame. I was taught for me to
go out there and be in proand playing the NBA. You know,
I told my family and some ofmy friends like that meant a lot because
(14:09):
people like him and Coach Miller,who have coached pros and played against pros
and knows what it takes to getto that level. They don't just say
that to anybody. So and theysee it and they tell you that they
actually mean it. And one ofmy goal, one of my goals in
life is to play in the NBA. And if people around you that know
what it takes and knows what thatlooks like tells you that it's like okay,
(14:33):
like I know he's not just justtelling me stuff to the champion stuff,
because all year he showed me alot of respect. And this is
the coach for the number one teamin the in the country. And he
sees it. Coach Miller has talkedto me and said similar things. You
know, so guys like that whenthey talk to me and tell me things
that it holds a lot of way. That's that's that's really cool perspective.
(14:54):
You played against Yukon, you playedagainst Purdue. Those are the two teams
I want to see play against eachother on Monday night. How would you
How would you handicap that game?I would? I would. I actually
think that would be the best bestway to end the end the year.
You know, Zach Edy seven four. I think Donald and Clean is seven
three seven. They're both seven footgiants, so I think I'm excited to
(15:15):
see how they'll finally match up againstsomeone their side. They're not picking on
about who's six ten. You knowthat it's two seven foot giants picking on
each other, and I think thatwould be pretty evenly matched. I think,
uh, I definitely would take youcon and not just seeing them obviously
Big East love and being that weplayed per Due, I just want to
root for the Big East. ButI think that would be the best,
(15:37):
the best national championship we can get. But I wouldn't have any problems seeing
DJ Burns and c State continue theirmagical run and that that I think that
would be fun to watch, youknow, I I want you kind of
win, But I'm not gonna hateon anybody because I know, I know
what it I know what it takesto get to that level or I know
(15:58):
how hard they had to work toget to that level. And I don't
want to brain on anybody, Sunshine, because that's one hell of a hell
of a feeling that they must allfour teams must be feeling. Yeah,
no, no question about it.You get a chance to take center stage
tonight and tomorrow. And I willadmit, because you mentioned the school in
(16:19):
Clifton, that's where my rooting allegiancesrest, but it was still aside from
the night you lit them up,a lot of fun to watch you this
season, and I'm going to berooting like heck free, not just this
weekend, but as you go throughthe pre draft process, and you had
a great year here, man,I wish we could have watched it for
more than one season, but youleft to mark you had a great season,
a terrific career. Best of luckthis weekend, Best of luck with
(16:42):
what's next, and I hope downthe road. We can do it again,
Quincy, thanks so much, Yes, sir, I appreciate you and
this opportunity. No problem, yougot it easy. Got to root for
Quincy OLIVERI. By the way,the three point contest, there's eight players
participating. You heard him mention AntonioReeves. That airs on ESPN tonight at
nine o'clock. The NABC All StarGame, which he's going to be playing
(17:03):
in tomorrow is at six point thirty, and that airzon CBS Sports Network.
We are insanely late, but itwas worth it. Four o'clock ESPN fifteen
thirty to it is
Mo Egger News
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