PirateCrew: Seton Hall Pirates Football & Basketball Recruiting
The definitive source for all PirateCrew news.
By Colin Rajala
Al-Amir Dawes
On returning home to play last year...
Last year, coming back home was a big adjustment. It was weird being home and it was a big adjustment in conference play. Me coming from the ACC, the Big East is real physical and my body needed to adjust to that style of play. So, I’ve focused on getting my body right, putting on pounds and being able to stand my ground. I think I’ve been able to do that.
On what Sha has had him do to improve this year...
I’ve been watching a lot of film on myself, like old clips. Sha wants me to get back to my old self, being able to make different reads in the pick and roll and being more of a facilitator than a scorer with all of the guys that we have that can score the ball.
On who’s tape he watches when he’s not studying himself...
I’ve been watching a lot of Kyrie [Irving] and Dame [Damian Lillard] because they can make plays and shoot. Watching them helps me be better at picking my spots and reading and reacting at different things I see everywhere on the floor.
DRE DAVIS
On what he’s worked on most this offseason...
I’ve tried to get healthy and just try and stay versatile, you know, working on each and every part of my game. I try and make sure I don’t have any weaknesses and make sure my strengths are even stronger. I think one thing that stood out to me last year was how I shot the ball, which was much better than previous years. I want to continue to sharpen those skills. I’ve also tried to just get more comfortable with my teammates, especially off the court, because that will translate to on the court, where I just look to get more comfortable in my roles on offense and defense.
On how/why he has improved as a shooter...
It was more self-confidence, I’ve always been a good shooter, maybe not a great shooter, but I’ve always been able to shoot and score. A lot of it is getting out of my own head, getting in the gym with my trainer and working, getting up shots and feeling comfortable with my form and be able to shoot it the same way every time.
On how he grows his confidence...
I got a lot of confidence because of my coaching staff and a lot of confidence because of my teammates’ support. They see me putting the work in, they see me grinding, they remind me of that and to trust the work I’ve been doing and trust the mentality that has gotten me this far. They make me feel like I can go out and do what I want to do every time on the court. They trust me and I trust in them.
KADARY RICHMOND
On how Sha is different than his first two college coaches...
Our relationship off the court is different due to understanding where we both came from and what we’ve been through and what we’ve done to get out of the situation we started in. I feel like it also allows me to play much freer on the court because I know he has my back before the game, he has my back during the game and he’ll have my back after the game no matter what happens or how it goes. I know he’s going to be there for me, going out there and playing for him is good. That’s the best part about Sha [as a head coach].
On being more forward facing for fans this offseason...
It’s a good thing because the guy they see in the videos is the guy I am every day. I’m still me on the court, but I’m more serious, more intense ... showing them me in the locker room and behind the scenes with how I interact with the guys or other people around the program, shows I’m human, shows I care about the people around me and want the best for all of us.
