September 23, 2025 • 9 mins
AK meets the media Tuesday after the guys had their first official practice of the preseason
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You like yours. He used that term with you, like
negotiating with Jordan, he's used it a little bit. I
think that's kind of just been like known with like
what we're returning and like the expectations that we have
for the season.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So that's kind of just been his own thing for us,
and he's expressed that he's communicated that with us too,
and we know what we got to do on a
daily basis on the cord, off the court and really
live up to that standard that he puts that expectations.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
What else, What was it about that you felt that
you needed to wait on? What was what made you decide?
Did you wanted to put more weight on to get bigger?
I think it's just I felt like I was tired.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I felt like, yeah, I had injuries last year, but
I felt like my body was breaking down more easily
than it usually would have. So I think just being
in better physical shape, getting stronger, taking care of.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
My body better, I think that's really gonna help me
out this year. And I don't get us tired anymore.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I don't get as I just I just I just
feel better out there on the court during practice, during
the scrimmagers that we've had between each team. So in general,
just get stronger whatever, you know, get stronger for the
college level, get stronger.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
For the NBA and the future and all that stuff.
So it's always good to just be in the way.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Moore.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
A lot of a frustration that was kind of related
to us last year was the urgency and wanting the
intensity that just you guys are struggling to find the
deal that you got some of that back.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
No, definitely, I like this group a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, I love these guys just off the court,
how they carry themselves beyond the court, just how much
they care and just knowing how tough it's going to
be to play out a play like that, play at
a place like this, So these guys know, these guys
know what's expected, and I mean the coach and the
coaching staff they've been doing a great job of that.
And us returners are really trying to harp on that too,
(01:53):
to really make sure they understand the.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Practice is different. How few of you will be they
should be different.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Now that you have fifteen players and many from overseas.
How does how does all that change the tenor from
when you first got.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
It's different, It's definitely different one.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
It's nice to get a couple of reps off just
with how hard we practice and seeing just you know,
how intense it is. So it's nice to get some
reps off and get some subs in international guys they've
been helping us out a lot. They play differently internationally
and just the similar ways in which the actions we
use and just how they move the ball, so it helps,
it helps happen up come in.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
But I mean, it's great.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
We've just got a bunch of talent, a bunch of
guys that are competing for a role, and it just
means more competition.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Well, how does it affect you, guys, or what goes
through your mind when you see guys in cost that
will come in when Missumill come in and you oversees
coaches come in and they all want to see how
you guys do things.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Here, it's cool. It's super cool.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
I mean seeing the DA coaches walking just trying to
learn from the offense or defense that we have a
yukon and really just try to bring stuff into the
NBA level at the highest level, and knowing that we're
doing stuff that could translate to the highest level.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It's awesome, and just seeing how hard we compete every
single day.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
It's just it's a known thing across the country and
people just want to see.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
That you're the coach there. Hard do you want you
kind of means one of the best basketball organizations that
you want.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
To feel it seems like it's kind of cool. Absolutely,
I mean it it is the best basketball organization.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Just how connected we are off the court, on the core,
how hard we play for single day, how much we
care about this jersey. I really think it is. And
we have everything in this facility that we need. We
got the best fans, so I mean it really is
the best.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
When you guys are working year round right like.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
This is, the off season doesn't really exist very much anymore.
I mean, just how do you keep it new?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Keep it for Yes, you have new guys coming in here,
But what distinguishes a day like today, right when you
finally get tipple though?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
I think knowing how close our first exhibition game is
and knowing how real this season is really turning up now,
I think that gets you excited.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That gets you going, knowing that we have twenty hour
weeks now instead.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Of four, Just more time on the court, more time
to really get to know what we want to do offensively, defensevely.
But I think it's just the season's just right around
the court and it's starting to get real now and
realizing how important each day is and that we can't
really have let day slip.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
I'm talking about a relationship with coach. He said, at
one point today yelled at you, and he almost felt like.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
You needed to apologize afterwards, just because you've been together
so far.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
We've I love him, We've been together for so long,
and it's just the honesty that we have with each other.
Just I rely on him so much, just with everything,
I mean, on the court, off the core. He's really
so when I turned to every time when I need advice,
and he's been there by my side no matter what,
whether I've had a great game or during moments where
I struggled. And I mean I wouldn't training for the world.
(04:50):
He's spent the best coach I've had, most influential person
I've had in my life. And during practice now, I mean,
we've just practiced together for so long. Now we just
I'll start trying to, you know, make them crack a
smile and maybe start joking at them and really just
try to get them out that intensity mode.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
But it never really works. So you know, there's always
tomorrow to try. You have more you have more people,
You have more people knew.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
There are You know, what's your challenge as a as
a veteran guy to get everyone else just.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
How you cos Yeah, just try to prepare them. Try
to prepare them the best way.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
How we do things and how the coaches have coaches
it's completely different compared to other programs, So really trying
to warn them and that, you know, you gotta be
on top.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Of your stuff. You gotta know what to do. We'll
do like player meetings, We'll do walkthroughs to try.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
To continue to get guys to know what's expected. But
at the same time, you just got to be able
to go through it and know what the rules are,
know what coach wants, and just learn and adapt throughout
each practice.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Ever since the summer, when you haven't got any nicknames,
you have to be and the old man of love.
I mean it's always been ak. Yeah, they call me
the old guy.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
So no grandpa, no grandpa, none of that, none of
whatever Liam called me last year.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
None, that's that's gone now. So we don't need that back.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Could you imagine a freshman year Alex trying to make.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Coach Practicemiles, No, never, I wouldn't even I wouldn't even
say a word. I was so shy back then, I
probably wouldn't even try to talk to coach or anybody.
So definitely grown a lot as a player, as a
person here, And yeah, it's kind of crazy looking back
at that.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Now you have fifteen guys competing for a role. Yeah,
do you worry about losing the room at all? Or
does everybody pretty much know where they are in the
hierarchy of things and trying to make a team better.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I think people can get a sense. I think ever
since the summer, you can kind of get a sense
of what your role will be. And coaches staff, we've
he's met with everybody. He's kind of just given everybody
clear instruction on you.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Know, like what you could bring to the team and like.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
How you can continue to get better every single day.
So yeah, I mean everyone knows their role. We talked
about those players too, but it's still I mean, roles
are still being defined right now, and really no roles
are set, but each player should get an idea on
what they.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Should brint into the sure scol saying he either take
three else looks pretty simil twenty three. Yeah, does it
feel similar? Practices been similar? Yeah, No, the facts are
definitely similar.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Practices are never gonna change, and they are similar to
twenty three and twenty four. Whatever the practices have been
by go Cherley, They've been similar, and I think roster
wise is definitely similar, just with the construction of this
so you know this, I mean it is still a
different group with different players, so we just gotta figure
it out.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And I thought today it was a great take. Oh
tell us, uh now the kind of books coming off,
I gaf I was.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Going some time with the injury or the area.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
New point guard kind of he bring himselfing off and
tells her how do you look three guys?
Speaker 2 (07:52):
He's looked great, I mean just as playmaking or he
gives us a different type of guard and which is quick, quick,
able to create, penetrated into the defense and really just
a playmaker.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
And he's able to shoot it as well. So he's
looked awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
He's looked the same as if before the injury happens,
so no real set extra him And I thought he's
done a great job for us.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
That's more good you ever bring up Mawid Me and
him argue about it.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
We argue about it, and I'm like, I congratulate him
on winning seventh place, like we're in a seventh eighth
place game, Like, congrats on getting seventh place, Like we
both sucked out in Nali.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
So it doesn't really matter.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
But then we've started budding about our twelve ye basketball game, where.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
I guess we both beat each other in twelve ye.
So that's what we start talking about now. Kind of
moved on from Malie thankfully.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Coach you talked about getting a couple of hard exhibitions,
maybe prepare you better for some of those parleague games
you like him have those type of early tests.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
No, of course, I mean playing Boston College in Michigan State.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
I think those are two exciting teams, both teams that
will do well in their respecting conferences.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Great test for us. Sound for both to.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Be in Connecticut too, It helps us out a lot,
So we'll be excited for those. We know that both
teams will bring a challenge and really just get us
going before.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
November third. That's my great kay, all Right,
You like yours. He used that term with you, like
negotiating with Jordan, he's used it a little bit. I
think that's kind of just been like known with like
what we're returning and like the expectations that we have
for the season.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So that's kind of just been his own thing for us,
and he's expressed that he's communicated that with us too,
and we know what we got to do on a
daily basis on the cord, off the court and really
live up to that standard that he puts that expectations.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
What else, What was it about that you felt that
you needed to wait on? What was what made you decide?
Did you wanted to put more weight on to get bigger?
I think it's just I felt like I was tired.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I felt like, yeah, I had injuries last year, but
I felt like my body was breaking down more easily
than it usually would have. So I think just being
in better physical shape, getting stronger, taking care of.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
My body better, I think that's really gonna help me
out this year. And I don't get us tired anymore.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I don't get as I just I just I just
feel better out there on the court during practice, during
the scrimmagers that we've had between each team. So in general,
just get stronger whatever, you know, get stronger for the
college level, get stronger.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
For the NBA and the future and all that stuff.
So it's always good to just be in the way.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Moore.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
A lot of a frustration that was kind of related
to us last year was the urgency and wanting the
intensity that just you guys are struggling to find the
deal that you got some of that back.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
No, definitely, I like this group a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, I love these guys just off the court,
how they carry themselves beyond the court, just how much
they care and just knowing how tough it's going to
be to play out a play like that, play at
a place like this, So these guys know, these guys
know what's expected, and I mean the coach and the
coaching staff they've been doing a great job of that.
And us returners are really trying to harp on that too,
(01:53):
to really make sure they understand the.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Practice is different. How few of you will be they
should be different.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Now that you have fifteen players and many from overseas.
How does how does all that change the tenor from
when you first got.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
It's different, It's definitely different one.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
It's nice to get a couple of reps off just
with how hard we practice and seeing just you know,
how intense it is. So it's nice to get some
reps off and get some subs in international guys they've
been helping us out a lot. They play differently internationally
and just the similar ways in which the actions we
use and just how they move the ball, so it helps,
it helps happen up come in.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
But I mean, it's great.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
We've just got a bunch of talent, a bunch of
guys that are competing for a role, and it just
means more competition.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Well, how does it affect you, guys, or what goes
through your mind when you see guys in cost that
will come in when Missumill come in and you oversees
coaches come in and they all want to see how
you guys do things.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Here, it's cool. It's super cool.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
I mean seeing the DA coaches walking just trying to
learn from the offense or defense that we have a
yukon and really just try to bring stuff into the
NBA level at the highest level, and knowing that we're
doing stuff that could translate to the highest level.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It's awesome, and just seeing how hard we compete every
single day.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
It's just it's a known thing across the country and
people just want to see.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
That you're the coach there. Hard do you want you
kind of means one of the best basketball organizations that
you want.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
To feel it seems like it's kind of cool. Absolutely,
I mean it it is the best basketball organization.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Just how connected we are off the court, on the core,
how hard we play for single day, how much we
care about this jersey. I really think it is. And
we have everything in this facility that we need. We
got the best fans, so I mean it really is
the best.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
When you guys are working year round right like.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
This is, the off season doesn't really exist very much anymore.
I mean, just how do you keep it new?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Keep it for Yes, you have new guys coming in here,
But what distinguishes a day like today, right when you
finally get tipple though?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
I think knowing how close our first exhibition game is
and knowing how real this season is really turning up now,
I think that gets you excited.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That gets you going, knowing that we have twenty hour
weeks now instead.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Of four, Just more time on the court, more time
to really get to know what we want to do offensively, defensevely.
But I think it's just the season's just right around
the court and it's starting to get real now and
realizing how important each day is and that we can't
really have let day slip.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
I'm talking about a relationship with coach. He said, at
one point today yelled at you, and he almost felt like.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
You needed to apologize afterwards, just because you've been together
so far.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
We've I love him, We've been together for so long,
and it's just the honesty that we have with each other.
Just I rely on him so much, just with everything,
I mean, on the court, off the core. He's really
so when I turned to every time when I need advice,
and he's been there by my side no matter what,
whether I've had a great game or during moments where
I struggled. And I mean I wouldn't training for the world.
(04:50):
He's spent the best coach I've had, most influential person
I've had in my life. And during practice now, I mean,
we've just practiced together for so long. Now we just
I'll start trying to, you know, make them crack a
smile and maybe start joking at them and really just
try to get them out that intensity mode.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
But it never really works. So you know, there's always
tomorrow to try. You have more you have more people,
You have more people knew.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
There are You know, what's your challenge as a as
a veteran guy to get everyone else just.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
How you cos Yeah, just try to prepare them. Try
to prepare them the best way.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
How we do things and how the coaches have coaches
it's completely different compared to other programs, So really trying
to warn them and that, you know, you gotta be
on top.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Of your stuff. You gotta know what to do. We'll
do like player meetings, We'll do walkthroughs to try.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
To continue to get guys to know what's expected. But
at the same time, you just got to be able
to go through it and know what the rules are,
know what coach wants, and just learn and adapt throughout
each practice.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Ever since the summer, when you haven't got any nicknames,
you have to be and the old man of love.
I mean it's always been ak. Yeah, they call me
the old guy.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
So no grandpa, no grandpa, none of that, none of
whatever Liam called me last year.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
None, that's that's gone now. So we don't need that back.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Could you imagine a freshman year Alex trying to make.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Coach Practicemiles, No, never, I wouldn't even I wouldn't even
say a word. I was so shy back then, I
probably wouldn't even try to talk to coach or anybody.
So definitely grown a lot as a player, as a
person here, And yeah, it's kind of crazy looking back
at that.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Now you have fifteen guys competing for a role. Yeah,
do you worry about losing the room at all? Or
does everybody pretty much know where they are in the
hierarchy of things and trying to make a team better.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I think people can get a sense. I think ever
since the summer, you can kind of get a sense
of what your role will be. And coaches staff, we've
he's met with everybody. He's kind of just given everybody
clear instruction on you.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Know, like what you could bring to the team and like.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
How you can continue to get better every single day.
So yeah, I mean everyone knows their role. We talked
about those players too, but it's still I mean, roles
are still being defined right now, and really no roles
are set, but each player should get an idea on
what they.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Should brint into the sure scol saying he either take
three else looks pretty simil twenty three. Yeah, does it
feel similar? Practices been similar? Yeah, No, the facts are
definitely similar.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Practices are never gonna change, and they are similar to
twenty three and twenty four. Whatever the practices have been
by go Cherley, They've been similar, and I think roster
wise is definitely similar, just with the construction of this
so you know this, I mean it is still a
different group with different players, so we just gotta figure
it out.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And I thought today it was a great take. Oh
tell us, uh now the kind of books coming off,
I gaf I was.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Going some time with the injury or the area.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
New point guard kind of he bring himselfing off and
tells her how do you look three guys?
Speaker 2 (07:52):
He's looked great, I mean just as playmaking or he
gives us a different type of guard and which is quick, quick,
able to create, penetrated into the defense and really just
a playmaker.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
And he's able to shoot it as well. So he's
looked awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
He's looked the same as if before the injury happens,
so no real set extra him And I thought he's
done a great job for us.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
That's more good you ever bring up Mawid Me and
him argue about it.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
We argue about it, and I'm like, I congratulate him
on winning seventh place, like we're in a seventh eighth
place game, Like, congrats on getting seventh place, Like we
both sucked out in Nali.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
So it doesn't really matter.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
But then we've started budding about our twelve ye basketball game, where.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
I guess we both beat each other in twelve ye.
So that's what we start talking about now. Kind of
moved on from Malie thankfully.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Coach you talked about getting a couple of hard exhibitions,
maybe prepare you better for some of those parleague games
you like him have those type of early tests.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
No, of course, I mean playing Boston College in Michigan State.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
I think those are two exciting teams, both teams that
will do well in their respecting conferences.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Great test for us. Sound for both to.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Be in Connecticut too, It helps us out a lot,
So we'll be excited for those. We know that both
teams will bring a challenge and really just get us
going before.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
November third. That's my great kay, all Right,
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