On his initial impressions of Drake:
“I love the school and the community. I love how it is a tight community. Not everyone knows everybody, but you get a good feel for everyone on the campus.”
On the team's chemistry:
“I love the team, we're really close, we have really good chemistry. We're like a family, a brotherhood, so everything is going good so far. We did a ropes course, and I'm afraid of heights so I really had to trust me teammates to get me through that, and they did, so that was the best moment so far.”
“I just feel more comfortable, last year I wasn't as comfortable. I almost forgot what it was like because I played the five all of last year.”
On what VanDeest brings to the team:
“He's a really good talker, really good communicator and great passer. He's just really good to have on the floor, I missed him a lot last year.”
On missing the 2011-12 season:
“It was tough sitting on the sideline not being out there with the guys but I'm looking forward to getting out there and making an impact this year. I'm just going to do what the coaches will ask of me in practice and games.”
On the team's chemistry:
“It's going to be an exciting group with the people that we have coming back and the newcomers we've added. We've created bonds throughout the summer and the fall that are going to be tough to break. We did a lot of fun things, really learned about ourselves and really got us closer as a team and as a unit so I think it's really going to help us in the long run. It's so fun coming to the gym. There's a lot of excitement each time we come in for a workout or a practice.”
His goals for the season:
“I just want to win this year. With one year left, I've got to leave it all out there on the line.”
On the adjustment from Utah to Drake:
“So far so good. I like the people, the athletic program, the town, school is well and good, so everything has been great for me.”
His role on the team:
“I think I'm going to have to bring leadership vocally and by example as well.”
On the biggest change adjusting from high school to college:
“The conditioning level is probably the biggest change that I've felt.”
On adjusting to life on campus:
“Once school started the campus has just blown up. I'm meeting a lot of good people and making a lot of friends already in my freshman class. I'm meeting a lot of people I can hang out with and know will support the basketball program. It's a cool place, it's not too huge so you can see a lot of the same people around and make some relationships. I really like it a lot.”
