VIDEO: Men's Basketball Media Availability

A.J. Lawson, Justin Minaya and Maik Kotsar met with the media Thursday afternoon.

SENIOR FORWARD MAIK KOTSAR TRANSCRIPT

– [Reporter] First question, ya know what’s it like to get out with these guys in 2019?

– It feels great, it feels great to be out there because everyone’s practicing hard, everyone’s going their hardest on the court and in the weight room.

– [Reporter] What would Maik Kotsar of 2019 tell Maik Kotsar of 2016?

– Of 2016, I mean, it’s a long road and to enjoy it. The three years I’ve been here, it’s been a fun time. It’s had its ups and downs, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot since then.

– [Reporter] How much mental work did you have to put in this off season? I think Frank said self confidence was an issue.

– I have been working on it a lot. I’ve been trying to talk to different people, trying to make my conclusions from last year. What I did wrong, what I did right. And I feel like this off season was probably the most I’ve put into my mental health and mental preparedness since forever.

– [Reporter] Who all did you talk to just sports psychologists and–

– Yeah, like first of all my family. I’ve talked to them a lot, asked them to help me out and like to guide me through it. Of course, the coaches, sports psychologists, everything you name it.

– [Reporter] Is there one on campus, is there a sports psychologist on campus?

– Yeah, the student or the athletic sector provides us with one so we can go there whenever we want to.

– [Reporter] I guess in all your conversations, what’s been the biggest piece of advice they have given you or the biggest thing that has helped you out?

– The main thing for me is, in my opinion not to over think it, not to overanalyze it. I get into my own head a lot sometimes and I started to overthink it. If like, for example I miss a shot then I start to think a lot about it, then it snowballs.

– [Reporter] Frank has made references a bit to the Final Four team in this team, with some comparison to big guards. A lot of guys who can handle the ball. Obviously you’re our best source for that ’cause you played on, you’re a part of both. How do you see in this early stage comparisons?

– Yeah, obviously I was a freshman on the Final Four team, so it’s a bit different but I feel like yeah, we’re playing really aggressive and really good and I feel like the team chemistry is there. Yeah, I mean why not? Why not a championship?

– [Reporter] That team had obviously Sin, Dwayne, PJ could all handle the ball. What do you think about the guys who could handle the ball on this team?

– I think pretty much everyone can, every guard can, just still need to learn more of what Frank wants and what plays he wants to run and what he prefers and if the guards know exactly where their supposed to be at what times, then I feel like it’s going to be a great team.

– [Reporter] Does your position switch at all, with Chris being gone, do you move over a certain way or is it all kind of the same.

– It’s more or less the same I play the four or the five, depends on who else is in. Like if need be I’ll play the five, if need be I’ll play the four.

– [Reporter] What do you think of the possibility of maybe Keyshawn or Justin going in that four spot from time to time, how do you think they could do there?

– I think that’s going to speed us up a lot and we’re really fast last year and if we get Keyshawn or Justin at the four then that’s going to speed us up even more and I feel like that’s going to be a big advantage for us.

– [Reporter] Maik, Frank was talking about how you’ve done some things this off-season that he has never seen before out of you. What did you work on and where do you take your game now maybe over the next six months and through the season?

– I feel like there is no special move that I’ve worked on or anything it’s just, like I said before my mental state is a lot better. Of course, I’ve put work in on the court, but the main thing is that my mental state is better so that allows me to be more confident which allows me to be more aggressive so I feel like I’ve just been a lot more aggressive.

– [Reporter] So the love for the game is kind of back?

– Yeah I mean it never left, but I just got into my own head at some point.

– [Reporter] What’s the hardest part about adjusting on court without Chris Silva?

– Just the energy, the energy that he brought was unmatchable. Just trying to come on the court everyday, trying to match it and try to give out what he gave.

– [Reporter] How many shots you block?

– Honestly, I haven’t kept count.

– [Reporter] It’s that many? Yeah I’ve lost count .

– [Reporter] Frank’s kind of mentioned that a little bit. How good has it been to see not just Chris blocking shots, but he has mentioned you and Wildens and Micaiah?

– Yeah, everyone is contesting shots. Everyone’s trying to do their best to protect the rim. Everyone’s trying to do their best offensively as well, to get it to the rim. I feel like the competitiveness is there during practice even when it’s a simple two on two drill or three on three drill, everyone is competing their hardest.

– [Reporter] Have you had a memorable block from this last three days, on court? Not to single out one of your teammates? A.J. said he has gotten blocked. A.J. said, he didn’t mention anybody who did it, but he has says he gotten swatted on his way to the rim.

– Oh yeah I have gotten swatted. I feel like at this point every single one of the guys has gotten blocked at least once throughout the three days that we’ve been practicing. So yeah it’s a block party.

– [Reporter] Is that a surprise? I mean, did you think that could happen with Chris being gone, or is that just the nature of practice?

– It’s somewhat the nature of practice, of course you would expect it to decrease because Chris is gone, but at the same time we’re really athletic and everyone’s, like I said, working really hard and being really competitive and I think that’s why we’re blocking so many shots.

– [Reporter] Frank talked about how there is so many options that it might be natural sometimes, someone might get their feelings hurt about playing time and stuff like that. You’re a senior, you’re a guy who has been through it; how do you kind of monitor that, manage that, not only with you, but other guys and know that everybody kind of has a role, it just might not be what they want?

– Of course, it’s hard for a freshman to understand why he is on the bench at some points. Yeah Frank has talked to us about that as well, but I feel like at the end we got to understand that we’re competing with each other not against each other and we’re trying to make it as a team not individually.

– [Reporter] Frank used the word ridiculous when talking about Wildens and Jalyn yesterday. What have you seen out of them and just kind of how they factor in this year?

– Yeah they’re extremely athletic. It’s pretty much like Chris. They just attack the rim like pretty much no one I have seen before. Like maybe Madge, Keyshawn, and Chris. But yeah, they’re like Frank said, ridiculous.

– [Reporter] You talked about how you self-evaluate yourself and it’s almost kind of not in a negative tone but you did have a positive moment. How often do you look at the tape of the Mississippi State game much, when you went, looked over the off-season?

– Nah I really didn’t. I just didn’t focus on last year like as in what happened during the games, I didn’t focus on it that much. I just tried to think more what was going on in my head and how to improve on that rather than the results of the games.

– [Reporter] What are your impressions of Micaiah?

– Micaiah, really physical player. Still has some things to learn. Obviously it’s hard to just switch teams like that and know everything so he still has some things to learn, but he’s a great player.

RS SOPHOMORE FORWARD JUSTIN MINAYA TRANSCRIPT

– [Reporter] How’s the knee feeling and what’s it like to get back out on the court in 2019?

– Yeah, I’m feeling good. I’m feeling really good. Starting to get back, I’m a hundred percent really right now. So I’m just happy to be out there man. Just being out there with my teammates talking, just having fun, and just sitting out for so long, it makes you realize how much you miss the game, and really just get back to- I just love playing, that’s all it is.

– [Reporter] When you go through an injury like that, what’s the hardest part of the journey? The mental side of it or the physical getting back?

– For me it was more of the mental side, cause I just wanted to get back so bad. And I created an expectation for myself that I was going to try and reach some goal and get back before the season end. And when I saw that wasn’t going to be a reality, I started just mentally kind of feeling bad about myself. And so I think the hardest part for me was being mentally, because the physical part you control it. But it’s also kind of out of your control on the same type of way. Because you don’t want to rush back too fast, and then injuring yourself even more. So I just took my time and came back good.

– [Reporter] How emotional was that first, I guess on the court work that you did? What was that moment like for you getting back on the court?

– Yeah. I mean it felt really good obviously because it’s been so long. I mean I probably didn’t look as good as I was before, because I was out of rhythm and everything, but I mean even if I made a mistake, which I did, I was just happy to be out there. It wasn’t yeah.

– [Reporter] Did you ever worry about possibly re-injuring? Did you ever hesitate or anything like that, or you just, you’ve gone full bore?

– Yeah I mean, for me it did take a little bit for me to start trusting it a little bit because, I don’t know like, I had also got hurt in my high school season, in high school. And this one was probably more, more where I had to trust it like way more. It was harder for me to trust it and I just had to find that belief in myself where I’m just like, “Okay I’m over it. You know like I’m good so.”

– [Reporter] Yesterday Frank talked about how big of a voice you were on the bench last year, even though you were out. Does being a leader come naturally to you? Has that always been a natural position for you?

– Yeah I mean, I’ve always enjoyed being a leader. I think I’ve always had leadership skills. I think just, be positive really. That’s all I try and do. It’s not too hard for me to become, I just think I’m trying to stay positive, trying to stay loud, keep my energy and just compliment guys, and make sure like no guy gets too low. And I mean I guess that’s being a good leader. By doing that. But I just feel like that’s what every teammate should do. Be a good teammate.

– [Reporter] Sorry man. What do you think the strength of this offense is this year?

– Mm-hmm. I think we’ve got a lot of great pieces. Our guard play is really good. All of our guards- our practices are all competitive too, with the guards and even the bigs. I just think it’s like real competitive so, I think that’s our biggest strength, because we got a bunch of guys who are just dogs, so I’m excited.

– [Reporter] What’s the hardest part of adjusting when you lose a piece like Chris Silva? He does so many things, so it’s a big adjustment at the rim, the defensively and stuff. But our team, I feel like, has just adjusted cause I remember being a freshman going up against Chris Silva, it was like getting blocked and everything, it was just so hard to get to the rim. But the same type of things happen to our guards now, with Wildens, and they’re all blocking shots. So it’s not too big of an adjustment.

– [Reporter] You got a lot of minutes obviously as a freshman, you got a bunch of minutes last year before you got hurt. Frank talked about how, you know obviously it’s natural for everybody to want 30 plus minutes right? On this team that’s going to be hard because of the pieces.

– Yeah.

– [Reporter] Is there a challenge there? Maybe with some of the younger guys particularly? Maybe someone like you, that’s been used to a lot of minutes, that might have to have more of a diminished, no I don’t want to say diminished role, but less of a minute total, because the depth there.

– Yeah, I feel you. I think there’s always a challenge whenever you’re expecting some type of playing time, but really I’m just listening to whatever the coaches got to do and whatever they put us, whatever position they put me in and how many minutes I got to play to help the team. That’s just where I’m at.

– [Reporter] Does that fit maybe how you guys want to play though, the way you guys want to run up and down the floor and all those pieces can help correct?

– Yeah. And then I mean if we’re going to be running up the floor a lot that’s also meaning guys are going to start getting tired. So I mean if we’re running up and down and transition a lot it can only help us to be able to get out, get a quick breather, get right back in.

– [Reporter] Do you expect that style this year?

– Yeah.

– [Reporter] Once you look at the first two weeks? Uh Yeah. I think so yeah.

– [Reporter] Why specifically?

– Just cause of our team. I think our personality of our team is way more faster, athletic than it was my freshman year. So I think just the speed of our team and all that. That’s more of our style that’s going to be, cause I don’t know, I think were we the fastest team SEC last year, I think?

– [Reporter] Close to it.

– Close to it. Yeah so. We got the same type of guys so. It’s going to be exciting.

– [Reporter] Have they talked about maybe your role, whether you play the three, the four, kind of where they see you fitting into this puzzle?

– No we haven’t talked about it yet. Right now I’m just practicing, just at the three right now. If I have to play the four I’m good. Whatever the team really needs.

– [Reporter] How often are you- to that same thing, how often are you and Keyshawn on the floor at the same time?

– [Reporter] Yeah we’re on the floor a good amount at the same time. We also go back and forth at each other. It’s really good, all of us. Me, Keyshawn, Jermaine, none of it is like, “Oh I’m fighting for this playing time, I’m fighting for this playing time.” We’re all helping each other out. Like Keyshawn does something good, I’m right in his ear like good job. Well he’d do the same to me so, there’s none of that.

– [Reporter] How do you feel about your shot right now?

– Feels good. My shot feels really good. Feel like I got a lot of confidence right now and like I said, I’m just happy to be out there right now, just ecstatic.

– [Reporter] You talked about putting expectations on yourself when you were injured. Do you put any extra added expectation on yourself going into this season, or how hard is that to do knowing you’re coming off, you know, an injury?

– Yeah no. No I’m not putting any expectations on myself at all. I’m just taking it day by day, playing hard, and that’s all I’m doing right now. I did that the first time. I didn’t enjoy it.

– [Reporter] What’s the next step for your game? Is it just to improving the shot, improving your offense? Just what kind of are you working on?

– Yeah to just become, I’m trying to become a way better rebounder. I’m trying to become one of the best rebounders on the team. Defensively trying to become one of the best defenders on the team, and definitely trying to play off the dribble. Trying to become way better off the dribble.

– [Reporter] What do you evaluate all your point guard options, at this point…

– Yeah.

– [Reporter] Is it like a variety of people bring it up from time to time? Is it just kind of strictly AJ, Jair, Trae?

– Yeah it’s a variety of guys. We got so many point guards. We got T.J. who’s doing great A.J., A.J. can go, either two or one, do ’em both. Jair’s been looking really good, really solid, and same with Trae Hannibal, he’s just athletic, strong. So we got all different types of point guards. So I like that.

– What are your impressions of Micaiah?

– [Reporter] Micaiah, he’s good, really good. He’s a strong player. I think he plays really good in the post. And he’s a presence at the rim whenever you’re driving. I think he’s going to be really helpful for us.

– [Reporter] Frank said when he’s on the court he looks like he’s a graduate, you can tell he’s experienced. Do you get that sense when you’re playing with him?

– Yeah yeah. I think so, so he’s been in school for like four years, so he’s experienced, he knows what this is all about. So I think he’s going to do some really good things for us.

– [Reporter] What’s the story behind the necklace? What’s that?

– Oh right here? So my uncle, he actually passed away October seventh four years ago. And he was always talking about peace, love and happiness so. I have this and then he had a panther tattoo, so this one right here is a black panther ring he had. And I got him tatted on me too right here.

– [Reporter] That’s good.

– Yeah appreciate it.

SOPHOMORE GUARD A.J. LAWSON TRANSCRIPT

– [Reporter] So, first question, how you feeling? What’s it like to get back out here is 2019?

– I’m feeling good, excited as always. Can’t wait to come to practice today, it’s going to be competitive and just can’t wait to see my teammates and go hard.

– [Reporter] Competitive is something Frank said a lot yesterday with practice the first two days. Can you just sense that every single day, how you guys are just pedal-to-the-metal, obviously competing for spots, cause this is a pretty deep roster.

– Yeah, for sure. Everyone is excited, we always bring high energy, we’re always competing against each other, talking, no one is really down on each other, always competing and bringing each other up, try and get better.

– [Reporter] A.J. how do you feel like your game has grown since the end of last season?

– I feel like I am more of a leader now. I’m trying to be more vocal. I’ve always been high energy, never get tired, really always like to run up and down. I’m just trying to be more vocal for the young guys.

– [Reporter] Yesterday Frank was talking about how he saw you grow with your Team Canada experience. What did that experience do for you, and how do feel like your game evolved from that?

– With Team Canada, it felt like I had a leadership responsibility on that team, and I had lead up for my country. So that gave me more confidence, knowing that I could lead and do something. So, now I’m trying to bring that back over here and try to lead, because I’m a returner now. So I have to show the young guys, the new people, how it is like, and how last year wasn’t as how tough it was, and you have to grind through everything.

– [Reporter] He references a specific play, that he remembers sitting down and watching you against Australia. Where he felt Australia was kind of trying to go at you a little bit defensively and you refused to be screened a couple times. Do you remember that? In Frank’s mind that’s all growth, and did you sense growth when you did that?

– I think so. I guess I learned from Coach. I remember after that game I think he called me or texted me, saying I seen how you dodged those screens, and I was just thinking like hmm I really did that. So I guess I just learned from all through last year, all the different defensive drills that we did, and it just helped me through Canada basketball this summer.

– [Reporter] Yeah, he said that proved to him that you bought into his defensive mentality. How long did that take? I know that’s difficult in this program to get there. How long did it take for you?

– It is difficult, but I can’t say when it happened, but I just can say I learned gradually.

– [Reporter] A.J. do you feel like going through that NBA Draft process helped you last spring, and perhaps maybe helped you grow into the person you’re going to be this year?

– Definitely, everything I do just gives me experience. So, that was experience for me. It really got my name out there for people to know who I am, and this year I’ve got to stay focused, and stay within the team and do what Coach says. I feel like it will be good year for me.

– [Reporter] A.J., have they talked about your role, and how much they maybe want you to play point guard, compared to maybe the two this year?

– Me and Coach talked. He said that just same thing as last year; play point, play whatever on the wing, whatever I need to do, just got to be confident in what I’m doing.

– [Reporter] What’s the next step, I guess in your game? Where do you hope to kind of make the most jump?

– Not to rush things this year, be more patient with the ball and make the right plays.

– [Reporter] Is that hard to do in a flow of a game, where this team probably likes to play pretty fast?

– I guess sometimes it’ll be hard, but I’m learning everyday in practice, when I take the point guard position.

– [Reporter How do you feel about the point guard depth in this team? It seems like you’re one of at least maybe three or four, guys that can do that. Is that comforting to know? Is it one of those deals where whoever gets it can kind of initiate the offense, run the ball up the floor. How do you feel about the depth of that particular spot?

– I feel good about it. If I get the rebound, people know I’m going to bring up the ball and set up the offense. If someone else brings up the ball, I can run the wing. We’re all going to run, so I feel really good about that. We have good depth on the team.

– [Reporter] What do you think the offensive identity is this year? I know you guys want the play with a lot of pace, but what else? What else do you guys want to do?

– Be physical. We have a lot of strong guys on this team, and we’re fast. We can run up the court, and beat people down the floor. But now we’ve just got to be physical.

– [Reporter] When you lose a piece, like Chris Silva, what is the hardest part of adjusting to not having him on the floor?

– It’s his intensity that he brings. You’ve just got to bring that everyday like he did. He brought that intensity with whether he was tired. You’ve just got to bring that like he did.

– [Reporter] Frank said though that early on in practice that there has been some intensity, at least around the rim where Chris used to be. With guys like, I’m not going to try to say his name, K and Wildens and stuff like that. What have you seen maybe from those post players, kind of taking on that role in Chris’s absence?

– They’re really trying down there, and whenever I get the ball on the wing, and they’re open I try to give it to them on the post, because they are working really hard down there, and I can see it and they’re putting in a lot of effort.

– [Reporter] Have you been blocked by anybody yet?

– I have.

– [Reporter] Okay, anybody specifically?

– I ain’t going to say.

– [Reporter] What are your impressions of Micaiah?

– Well, he’s older so he knows certain positions, the way he has to do it, how to get open in certain spots, and he’s been working really hard, and he’s been getting a lot of rebounds, blocking shots and just trying. Because he’s still new to the offense too, so he’s been trying and doing really good.

– [Reporter] And with Justin being back on the court, how big was his presence last year? Even though he wasn’t able to play most, a lot for you guys last year.

– It was big, because he had experience too. He was a sophomore at the time, and he did a lot for us. He did a lot for me, he helped me a lot learning with the offense last year. And this year he’s been a leader.

– [Reporter] Frank talked a little bit about you making better decisions in the mid-range this year, with these point guards. Just how hard is it to make those decisions? What all goes into when you get into the three-point line and get into that area; what do you have to think about consistently?

– I think you’ve got to think about your man, and the help defender. If someone’s not helping you, maybe you have a open lane to drive or if someone’s helping you, a big man might be open in the corner. You’ve just got to make reads real fast.

– [Reporter] With all the depth, that this team presumably has, how does that align nicely with the style you want to play, in terms of getting up and down the floor, and trying to wear teams out?

– We have a lot of depth, so we’re not going to get tired that easily. We don’t run the floor every time, and that’s what I like to do.