Today Luke Hancock and Montrezl Harrell held a press conference to talk about their experience representing the USA in basketball. They also talked about the upcoming season and other things related to UofL basketball.
First up to the podium was Luke Hancock and he said how great the experience was to be a part of the World University Games and how much of a valuable experience that was. He says that he feels like they struggled as a team and got exposed a little due to the fact that it was the first time that the group had played together and the other teams had been together longer and played together before. He said it was like a college team who had played and entire season playing an all-star team. Luke was asked about whether or not the experience served as therapeutic with the loss of his father and he explained to the media how hard it had been and that it was rough being away from his family and not being able to reach out to them enough. He says that he will go home after the White House trip. Speaking of the White House trip Luke said he was looking forward to shaking the presidents hand and “asking him why he didn’t pick us.” On next season Luke said that the group very much had aspirations of achieving what they had the year before and that it was about getting together as a group and working hard. He mentioned how hard it was to get acclimated to Coach Pitino’s system as a new guy. Luke was asked if he thought the team should be ranked number one to start the season and Luke replied that he didn’t care and just wanted to be there in the end. When asked about his role this year Luke said that he just wants to be a leader to the group and be a good teammate. Says that it doesn’t matter if he plays one minute or forty minutes. As always Luke was very composed and seems like a kid who really has it together. Its nice to know that we got a guy like this in the locker room.
Next up to the podium was Montrezl Harrell. He also said how great it was for them to come together as a team to win a gold medal for the United States. He said that it helped him a lot due to being around Coach Donavan last year when he played for the U-18 group and said that the competition was a lot tougher but it was the same as far as coming together as a team and playing for their country. When asked about similarities between Donovan and Pitino Montrezl said that their styles are pretty much the same in regard to pressing and running up and down the court. When asked about the upcoming season he said that it was great to win the championship last season but that it’s just the beginning for him and he is just getting started. Says that he still has a lot of goals for himself and wants to take his game to the next level this year. Talks about how they just have to work hard and come together as a team. My favorite thing about the comments made by Harrell today was when he was asked about playing against a taller player. Harrell said “just because he’s taller than me doesn’t mean he can score on me.” When asked about the White House trip he said that he was looking forward to it because he never had done anything like that before. When asked about Coach Pitino he raved about how great of a person Pitino was on and off the floor. Said that Coach really cares about his players on the court and in the classroom. Like Luke you can tell that Montrezl just has that special quality about him that every coach loves in a player. He is a hungry young man and has his eye on the prize. No doubt in my mind that he is also going to be a great leader and a great teammate.
Below is a summary of these guys during their time as Team USA athletes and some comments from their coaches:
Luke Hancock’s play in the World University Games and Montrezl Harrell for the gold-medal U-19 FIBA championship team is great reason why the Cardinals should be feeling good about being title contenders yet again in the 2013-14 basketball season. Through six games, Hancock was second on the team in scoring and in making 3-pointers. He averaged 10.8 points, 3 rebounds and hit 16-of-38 threes (.421) while adding 17 assists and 9 steals.
Montrezl Harrell scored a team-high 17 points in the championship game. He started all nine tournament games for for the U19 squad. His tourney averages were 10.5 points a game, 3.6 rebounds a game, 0.8 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, and all while averaging only 18.2 minutes per game.
USA head coach Bob McKillop said about Luke Hancock “He is a terrific young man, and is going to have a wonderful career this year. He represented the United States with superb character.”
USA U-19 assistant coach Shaka Smart said about Montrezl Harrell “Montrezl was as valuable as anyone and he gave us an unbelievable lift with his energy, athleticism, power and attitude every time he took the floor. The Louisville staff deserves credit because he’s gotten much better in the past year since he had him in the Under-18s. He was a great athlete, but he didn’t score much except on the offensive glass. Now he can score around the basket, he hit quite a few midrange shots and is great in the press. He’s a guy who can play the 4 or the 5 in college. He’s long and strong enough to play the 5, and is quick and athletic and shoots it well enough to play the 4.”
Luke Hancock talks about his summer:
Montrezl Harrell talks about his summer: