WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:01.720 It was just so different, you know, Like I said, 2 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:04.639 I've never received a FaceTime call from a coach for 3 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:08.119 the first time, and to get the call, but then also, 4 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:11.080 like she'd always talked about how like my reactions to 5 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:13.679 seeing him and like hearing like the University of Kentucky, 6 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:15.880 like it was different than hearing all the other schools, 7 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:17.879 you know, and that's kind of like when I first 8 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:20.160 like I had always known that, you know, I was 9 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:22.199 waiting for that phone call I wanted to hear from 10 00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:25.800 from this university, but to actually like have it happen 11 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:27.239 and experienced. 12 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:29.039 That moment, like it was, it was unbelievable and it 13 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:29.559 was different. 14 00:00:30.079 --> 00:00:33.000 Is that I don't know, get you guys more excited 15 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:35.359 that they're like embracing that, and you guys kind of 16 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:38.359 have fun and it's almost like you have these inside jokes. Yeah, 17 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:40.600 but then they get put on social media and everybody 18 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:41.280 can kind of have. 19 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:41.799 Fun with you. 20 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:46.439 It's definitely fun because like like you get to look 21 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:48.159 at them and what they're doing on social media and 22 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:50.039 it's like, man, they're just like us, you know, like 23 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:52.479 they're just they're super excited to be here, you know, 24 00:00:52.520 --> 00:00:53.759 they want to take everybody in. 25 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:55.399 They want to see what BBN is about. 26 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:58.159 How does it feel knowing that you know, your pictures 27 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:01.399 this team will be next to pictures of those teams 28 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:02.719 around this facility someday. 29 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:04.560 Honestly, it's crazy. 30 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.040 I haven't even thought about that, but just the thought 31 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:10.239 of it now, like it's really it's unreal, you know, 32 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:12.760 because when when I first came from my visit, like 33 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:14.280 that's one of the first things you see and you're 34 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:16.680 just like wow, like this is like you're really here. 35 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:18.439 You know, it's the historic place that you've. 36 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:21.239 Always dreamt about being at and you see all that 37 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.200 in its motivation. But then, like you said, like one 38 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.200 day we'll be up there too, So that's crazy to 39 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:26.680 think about. 40 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:43.000 Welcome into another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball. I'm your 41 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.200 host Michelle Knezevic joined with Kobe Bret Kobe, Welcome. 42 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:47.319 To the pod. 43 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:50.319 Thank you, thank you, pleasure. It's pleasure to be here a. 44 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:52.280 Little early this morning. You have your coffee yet. 45 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:53.719 Ready to get I'm not a coffee guy. 46 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:54.879 I'm not a coffee guy. 47 00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:57.599 I'm gonna go with some water. Just wake up, take 48 00:01:57.599 --> 00:01:58.920 a shower, and get my day going. 49 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:00.480 I don't need coffee, Okay. 50 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:02.680 Better than me and probably must have society. Not a 51 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:05.799 comp person doesn't even need caffeine. Well, first off, Kobe 52 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:08.520 coming off Big Blue mannis, I've been asking everybody about this. 53 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:14.280 What was it like entering Reparina for the first time. 54 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:17.319 I think it's incredible that you brought the Dominican Republic 55 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:17.919 flag out. 56 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.039 Why did you choose to do that? And what was 57 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:21.919 that moment like for you? 58 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:22.599 Man? 59 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:25.680 It was honestly, it was unreal Like I think there 60 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:27.520 was a lot of nerves going into it, just because 61 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:29.719 you kind of don't really know what to expect, you know, 62 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:32.120 you never really put in that stage, and then to 63 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:34.039 finally be in it, it was just, man, it was 64 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.960 a great experience, unbelievable. Definitely had to bring on my flag, 65 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:39.439 like you said, just to show a little bit of 66 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:42.439 my culture where I come from, represent my country and 67 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:43.080 my family. 68 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:44.400 So that was big for me. 69 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:45.800 That was huge for me, and it was fun to 70 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:47.759 see that a lot of people actually liked it and 71 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:49.560 enjoyed it, So it was really fun. 72 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:52.639 What was it like maybe getting prepared for that moment 73 00:02:52.680 --> 00:02:53.599 with your other teammates. 74 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:55.280 Lamon comes out rapping. 75 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:59.599 Everybody had their own song, Curz dancing, to Single. 76 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.879 Ladies, which is like probably going to be a meme forever. 77 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:06.439 How fun was that creating a unique entrance for each 78 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:06.840 one of you? 79 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:09.879 It was just fun because like everybody got to see, 80 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:12.120 like what happened when we all came out and everything. 81 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:14.120 But I feel like it was so much fun just 82 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:16.479 behind the scenes in the locker room, you know, everybody 83 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:19.159 playing their song a little bit, dancing, trying to like 84 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:21.520 see what they're gonna do for their entrants and stuff, 85 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:23.639 and so we all got to get a little glimpse 86 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:26.159 of Kurr in this song and everything before it actually happens. 87 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:28.159 So it was just fun, you know, just to see 88 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.560 everybody come out of their show and just beat themselves. 89 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:34.360 And then Jackson, you know, you have Jackson vlogging on 90 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:39.560 the on the camera, lamont rapping, Kurr dancing to single Ladies, 91 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:40.599 you bringing out the flag. 92 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:41.800 Everybody their own unique thing. 93 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.400 How fun is it to show all your personalities? I mean, 94 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:48.000 you have a head coach personality is larger than life 95 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:50.879 but also enhances you all to be yourself. 96 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.520 Man, It's I love it, I really do it. 97 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:55.759 It's fun, like for myself, but also to see, like 98 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.000 the other guys just like you said, and that's something 99 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:00.479 that Coach Pope like he emphasized es He's like, man like, 100 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:02.840 be yourself, like show a part of you that you 101 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:04.919 want to share with BBN well like like they're gonna 102 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:07.000 love it. And so that's kind of what opened my 103 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:09.199 eyes to be like, let me, let me try this, 104 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:11.560 you know, let them see where I'm from and kind 105 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:13.680 of like what we do out there. And then you know, Jack's, 106 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:15.439 like you said, with his camera, you know, coming out 107 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:17.920 of his shows too, just showing what he likes to do. 108 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.279 And Kurb being Kerr because I think everybody knows that 109 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.439 that's exactly who he is. 110 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:23.279 He doesn't hide it. 111 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:25.480 But you know, just a bunch of the other guys too, 112 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:27.040 Like they all did their own thing and they had 113 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:29.079 fun with it, and we all enjoy seeing each other. 114 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:32.000 So the fan base and all of us are, you know, 115 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:34.279 counting down the days until we get to see this team. 116 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:36.120 Live and action in reperena. 117 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:40.360 But to see all of those personalities and the confidence 118 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:42.600 right right showing your personality, you gotta have a lot 119 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:45.480 of confidence, you know. How has that translated for you 120 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:48.120 all on the court behind the scenes, and maybe is it? 121 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:50.040 Is it different than any other group you've played before. 122 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:53.319 With Kobe, It's definitely different, just because I feel like 123 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:55.920 I feel like every single player on our team is different. 124 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:58.319 You know, like they're their own person their own personality, 125 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:01.519 and it just like we joe very well together, you know, 126 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.000 and you kind of see it on the court, like 127 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:05.199 even after Big Blue Man, this is kind of like 128 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:06.879 we know more about each other, you know what I mean. 129 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:08.800 So when we get on the court, it's just a 130 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.560 lot more fun, you know, like we play with each 131 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.600 other and stuff. But when it's time to you know, 132 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:15.720 get serious and business is business as usual. So but 133 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:17.720 you know, it's always fun to get to know your 134 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:18.480 brother a little bit. 135 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:20.360 More business as usual. 136 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:23.560 Andrew Carr said, to watch you do shooting drills in 137 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:26.639 practice is probably one of the coolest things because we 138 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:29.279 all know that you're quite the sharp shooter. You know, 139 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.959 almost fifty percent from three last year in all of 140 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.399 college basketball. It is the highest market in NCAA in 141 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:37.680 six seasons, just under fifty percent. 142 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:40.079 Did you know that I actually did not learning something new? 143 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:41.279 Every day we love it we go. 144 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:45.439 So BBN is very excited to see you live in action. 145 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:48.319 Andrew Carr said, like you see what somebody could do 146 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:51.240 on the court, but then to watch him in practice focus, 147 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:52.800 you know, drill after drill after drill. 148 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:55.439 To hear him say that, Like, does that get you hired? 149 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:56.079 Yeah? For sure? 150 00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:58.920 That's pretty cool, you know because I'm like when I'm 151 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:01.439 in that groove and I'm just working out, like I'm 152 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.360 just so focused, you know, I'm not really worried about 153 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.040 like what's going on on the outside, who's watching or 154 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.079 what's going on. I'm just kind of you know, like 155 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:10.000 like I said, just focused on what I'm doing. But 156 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:12.360 you know, to hear somebody on my team say that's 157 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.560 pretty cool, and I could say the same, Like it 158 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:16.720 goes around for the whole team, like everybody's locked and 159 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:17.639 when they do their thing. 160 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:20.519 But it's always good to receive a little comments. I 161 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.240 appreciate that. 162 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:25.079 So how did you get into basketball, Kobe? I know 163 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:28.000 you mentioned both your parents are from the Dominican Republic. 164 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:32.040 We talked about baseball earlier this season. Obviously baseball is 165 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:35.720 extremely popular there. Did you play baseball growing up? Was 166 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:38.439 it always basketball? What was that? 167 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:38.680 Like? 168 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:41.160 I always say for me, it was always basketball, Like 169 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.639 I always wanted to play ball. They definitely try to 170 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:47.120 get me into baseball, which I'm a little surprised about 171 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.319 because my dad himself played basketball. But I guess just 172 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.120 everybody around him was like, man like he could be 173 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:53.079 a really good pitcher. 174 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:55.600 I guess they just saw it in me. And I 175 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:56.199 tried it. 176 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:58.199 I was pretty good at it, but I just didn't 177 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.519 like it, didn't have the same love for it. So 178 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:01.920 I just always went back to basketball. 179 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:02.040 You know. 180 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:04.279 I would watch my dad play all day every day, 181 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:06.439 and I would just always have the ball with me, 182 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:10.319 bouncing around everywhere I went, And like, I just always 183 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:12.279 been in love with the game. And since then, you know, 184 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:13.079 it's just carried on. 185 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:16.759 Was there a player that you remember watching as a 186 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.240 little kid that helped you love it even more? 187 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:24.920 Definitely Kobe Bryant Kitting Yeah, definitely Kobe. And my dad 188 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:26.680 was a really big like I mean, he still is 189 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:31.079 a big Lakers fan, and so just to watch him 190 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.600 watch the Lakers, and I wouldn't really pay too much 191 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.879 sense of the Lakers. I'd just be watching Kobe just 192 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.519 seeing everything he does. And then all the stories you 193 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:40.839 hear about him, you know, like of other players and 194 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:44.319 coaches and his mentality and all that kind of stuff. 195 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:46.399 Like it just kind of made me grow my love 196 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.199 for him even more. 197 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:48.040 So. 198 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.600 I think it's really interesting you say that because Kentucky's 199 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.920 also one of the only schools that is the official 200 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:56.560 Mama Seita School where Vanessa Bryant, right, and her daughter 201 00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:01.079 Gigi and the shoes and the Mama Sita Foundation, Kentucky 202 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:04.639 being one of those schools, So having that be a factor, 203 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:08.160 and then obviously meeting Coach Pope and Kentucky basketball, having 204 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:10.680 maybe all three of those pillars collide and to have 205 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.519 you here. 206 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:14.879 Facts it's crazy really, Like it's like you said, like 207 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.839 the more like I looked into Kentucky, it was just 208 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:20.079 more like like, Wow, this is really the place for me, 209 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.600 even in ways that like like yeah, it's not that 210 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:25.600 important really, but it's still like just another plus for me, 211 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:28.399 you know, like, Wow, I'm around, like Kobe Bryant has 212 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:30.959 always been my idol and stuff, and he chose Kentucky 213 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:32.720 as one of the schools that he wanted to represent 214 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:35.759 stuff like that, and so you know, it's it's it's 215 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:38.519 a blessing to be here and everything that comes with it, 216 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.080 and I'm just really excited for. 217 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:45.159 This opportunity and I know that Kobe fours, are your favorite. 218 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.200 Ones playing or no? 219 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:50.600 No, honestly, just I love all Kobe's a pretty long list. 220 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:53.360 I do like the fourst but I'm probably more of 221 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:57.200 a five or six guy for sure. I love five 222 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:00.519 or sixes. I hate that they haven't really came out 223 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:03.039 with some blue color ways for sixes. 224 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:05.879 But you know you're listening. 225 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.919 You're listening for sure for sure. 226 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:11.720 But like I said earlier, you know I'm definitely gonna 227 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:14.039 be rocking Kobe's the whole year, so you know, the 228 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:14.679 stay tuned. 229 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:17.080 I got some good stuff in the bag. So okay, so. 230 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:23.399 The Kobe Collection, Kobe's Kobe Collection, I mean round twenty 231 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.399 ish home games, do you. 232 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:28.240 Think I think Yeah, Like I said earlier, I'm trying 233 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:31.360 to do a different shooper game that might be a 234 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:34.000 little harder, but I think I have the right amount 235 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:34.320 for it. 236 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:36.720 I just gotta you know, we'll see, We'll see what happens. 237 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:40.279 Eyes eyes on the shoes, on the shoes. And also 238 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:41.240 the three pointers. 239 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:45.720 So we talked about you know you're at Dayton, right, 240 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:47.200 sharp shooter, you're ender the portal. 241 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:49.600 Andrew told us that he. 242 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.080 Just got a random FaceTime one day from a random number, 243 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:55.840 How did you make the connection with coach Pope? 244 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.480 How did he reach out? And then how did this 245 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:58.240 all come fruition? 246 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:01.600 It was the exact same thing, random FaceTime coach. 247 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.080 There you go. 248 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:05.679 Thanks, But it's just really funny because you know, going 249 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:08.120 through the whole process like that was the first time 250 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:11.039 and I think the only time that my first phone 251 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:13.000 call from my head coach was through FaceTime, So it 252 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:15.559 was just like it was really unique. On his behalf, 253 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.600 I was a little confused. I saw it was a 254 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:21.039 random number, and usually I went and pick up the 255 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:25.200 random number through FaceTime, but around that time, obviously a 256 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:26.799 lot of coaches were calling, so I was like, Okay, 257 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:29.519 maybe it's a coach or something. And I picked up 258 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.440 and he just had a big smile on his face, 259 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:35.600 like super energetic what he is every day. But that 260 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.960 was my first time experiencing that, you know, seeing him 261 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:41.679 and that and that that like just the way he 262 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.480 is and all that, and it was a lot of fun. 263 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:45.679 We're gonna take a pause right here to make sure 264 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:48.840 to tell everybody to subscribe to the Kentucky Basketball podcast, 265 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:53.480 Right Kobe, everybody subscribe to Behind Kentucky Basketball Podcast, presented 266 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.759 by UK Federal Credit Union. 267 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.720 Today it's avail. 268 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:59.159 It's available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and 269 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:03.519 the official You Hey Athletics app. I think the fact 270 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:06.159 that you know, you enter the transfer port, all you're 271 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:08.320 getting all of these phone calls, right, you don't know 272 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:10.879 which coach is going to call you, But then to 273 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:15.840 have this one specifically stick out a FaceTime clearly, clearly 274 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:18.200 it's a trend. I think a couple other players might 275 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.759 have said that you FaceTime them too. 276 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.039 So personal. 277 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:24.240 Yeah, so personal to want to talk face to face. 278 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:27.919 You're obviously in different cities, but to make that first 279 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.799 I don't know, official introduction as as he's trying to 280 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:31.960 get you to come here to Kentucky. 281 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:33.480 Where were you? 282 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.240 Were you home? 283 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:37.799 Were you at Dayton? Was family around? 284 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.039 Yeah? 285 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:41.159 I was Actually I was at Dayton and I was 286 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:44.639 with my girlfriend at the time, and it was just 287 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:46.679 like we talked about it a lot because it was 288 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.679 just it was just so different, you know, Like I said, 289 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:51.559 I've never received a FaceTime call from a coach for 290 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:54.720 the first time, and to get the call, but then 291 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.960 also like she'd always talked about how like my reactions 292 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:00.600 to seeing him, and like hearing like the Universe Kentucky, 293 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.840 Like it was different than hearing all the other schools. 294 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.000 You know, that's kind of like when I first like 295 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:07.440 I had always known that, you know, I was waiting 296 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:09.360 for that phone call. I wanted to hear from from 297 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:12.960 this university, but to actually like have it happen and 298 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:15.879 experienced that moment like it was, it was unbelievable and 299 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.480 it was different. 300 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:22.120 When did you pull the like sit up fixed, you know, 301 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:25.360 like you should be quiet, like you know, and like 302 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:27.440 get all like professionally. I always think of like how 303 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:31.240 zoom has become professional meetings nowadays post COVID, Like did 304 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:31.840 you kind. 305 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:34.519 Of like freshen up the room or sit up when 306 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:35.279 you entered the phone. 307 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:37.919 It was definitely before the phone call, I had to 308 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.679 get everything situate. I was like, hold on, I don't 309 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:42.159 know what's going on, but it could be something good. 310 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.480 So and then once I picked up, I was ready 311 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:46.840 to go, but I was just like I was surprised, honestly, 312 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:49.720 you know, I never liked picking up a FaceTime call 313 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:52.000 with things going on. I had to pick around me, 314 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:54.279 so I try to get everything settled down, and then 315 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:56.440 once I saw it was him, I was like, oh damn, 316 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:59.200 like it's really him, you know, it's really the University 317 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:01.600 of Kentucky and from there the rest is history. 318 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:05.080 We talked about the personalities on this team, the FaceTime 319 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:08.080 sort of coach, his personality, the fact that he had 320 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:10.919 to build this whole roster the last couple of months. 321 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:13.960 You know, you're finally heading into the season to be 322 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:16.759 one of those pillars right on the roster, and to 323 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:19.320 see all of these other names from around the college 324 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:21.679 basketball world, you know a mont at San Diego State, 325 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:25.120 Andrew Carr at Wake Forest, you know Mario Williams at Drexel. 326 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.120 See all these names and guys that you've probably seen 327 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:32.200 in the college basketball space. To then come here, I'll 328 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:35.879 be practicing on the same team. What was that like 329 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:38.519 to watch on TV? I mean, Lamon shot right, the 330 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.879 buzzer beater in the Final four. 331 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:42.120 Now you're playing with him. 332 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:45.600 Is honestly, like it's so crazy, just because, like, first 333 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.240 of all, I feel like the coaches have to like 334 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:50.200 a crazy, unbelievable job because like you said, they didn't 335 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:52.799 have much time, but they got all the right pieces, 336 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:54.919 you know, and it's like you with time you get 337 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.879 to see how these pieces like really fit into what 338 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.600 they're trying to do and what we're trying to do 339 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.159 as a team. 340 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:01.120 So been really cool to see that. 341 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.720 And then obviously, like you said too, like as you 342 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.240 play college basketball, you're always watching other games and stuff 343 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:10.159 and you're seeing other players and you never think like, oh, wow, 344 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:12.360 like that dude's going to be my teammate. Yeah, and 345 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:14.080 to like to see it happen now and to be 346 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.919 on the core with them every day, and it's like 347 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.279 it just feels normal, you know what I mean. But 348 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.360 a couple of months ago, it was like, man, like 349 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.039 this is crazy. I've never played I've never even been 350 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:25.000 in the same court as these people every day in 351 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.480 my life. 352 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.600 And now I'll see them as my brothers and you 353 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.120 know we're going to be going to wards together soon 354 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:31.240 and all that. It's just a lot of fun. 355 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:35.960 And then another I guess trend. You know, you're seeing 356 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.440 the coaches recruiting all the time, whether it be building 357 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:42.000 this roster, but Alvin Brooks doing the nog room with 358 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:46.559 defeat on the plane, does that like, I don't know, 359 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:49.279 get you guys more excited that they're like embracing that, 360 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.120 and you guys kind of have fun and it's almost 361 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.639 like you have these inside jokes, but then they get 362 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:56.080 put on social media and everybody can kind of have. 363 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:56.600 Fun with you. 364 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:01.200 It's definitely fun because like like you get to look 365 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.919 at them and what they're doing on social media and 366 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:04.799 it's like, man, they're just like us, you know, like 367 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:07.279 they're just they're super excited to be here. You know, 368 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:09.159 they want to take everybody in. They want to see 369 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:11.759 what BBN is about, and like this is all new 370 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:13.240 for all of us. You know, we're going through all 371 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:16.519 this for the first time together, and it's just fun 372 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:19.679 like going looking around the room and seeing like everybody's 373 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.840 going through the same journey, you know what I mean, 374 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.960 and they're embracing it and having fun with it, and 375 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.279 I think that's the right way to do it. 376 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:30.799 So you're all year one together, Kentucky. What are your 377 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:34.519 you know, personal goals? I can imagine team goal number 378 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:37.519 nine right. Everybody talks about it, sure, But for you 379 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:40.559 personally this year, like how do you want to grow? 380 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:43.159 How have you talked to coach Pope about. 381 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:45.080 How you can grow personally in your game? 382 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:45.879 Yeah? 383 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.840 For me, I think like my goal I have a 384 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.840 go every single day and that's just like to get 385 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.759 the to become the best version of myself that I 386 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:54.879 can every single day. You know, just keep like it's 387 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.720 not going to happen today or tomorrow, but with time, hopefully, 388 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:00.840 you know, I'm getting closer and closer. And the coaches, 389 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.720 they do a great job of pushing every single one 390 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.679 of us. So when I step on the court, like, 391 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:06.200 I know for sure that they're going to push me 392 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:08.519 to be the best that I can that day. And 393 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:11.360 for me, it's just like about trying to become a 394 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:14.000 better leader Vocally. I feel like I've always been a 395 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:17.639 pretty good leader by example, but doing it vocally is 396 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:20.960 definitely different. So doing that and they're just becoming a 397 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:24.679 better defender, you know, that's something that nowadays, well always 398 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.360 you got to be able to play on both sides, 399 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:29.279 and so that's something that I've definitely been taking and 400 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.600 I'm just trying to get better at. 401 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:33.960