University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Prepare To Open “Official” Practices On Monday
September 19, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Coach White, Cain, Demary Jr. discuss Georgia's 2024-25 team
ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia Bulldogs will hold their first "official" practice for the 2024-25 men's basketball season next Monday (Sept. 23).
Though the team has been working out together throughout the summer and fall, Monday begins the Bulldogs' first week of preseason workouts, with the hours allowable for basketball activities extending from eight to 20 hours per week.
Georgia is looking to continue its consistent and impressive improvement under head coach Mike White during his first two seasons in Athens. In 2022-23, the Bulldogs increased their regular-season win total from the previous year by 10 victories. That represented the second-largest jump among all Power conference programs that season. Last winter, Georgia earned its first postseason bid since 2017 and then utilized a run to the NIT semifinals to reach the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2016.
This year's Bulldogs return three starters – sophomores Blue Cain, Silas Demary Jr. and Dylan James – and three additional letterwinners – Brandon Klatsky, Justin Newell and Markel Jennings. Georgia's roster also features nine newcomers – four freshmen and nine transfers. The freshman class features Somto Cyril, Savo Drezgic, Jordyn Kee and Asa Newell. The transfers are graduates Tyrin Lawrence and Dakota Leffew, juniors Justin Abson and RJ Godfrey and sophomore De'Shayne Montgomery. The Bulldogs freshman and transfer recruiting classes both have been ranked among the nation's top 10 groups by various media outlets.
Earlier this week, White, Cain and Demary Jr. met with members of the media to discuss the beginning of practices and this year's team.
Head Coach Mike White
On how good the team will be this season...
"We're going to be good. Yeah, we are. Our whole league's going to be good, but I like our group. Really competitive group. Has worked hard. We've had some time with them. You know, it's different than when I first got into coaching when it was four at a time. You know, a lot of limitations on how often you can get out there on the court with them. But we've had abbreviated practices for quite some time. Starting next Monday, we'll have the 20 hours per week, so it'll be ramped up for sure. We'll have an opportunity to have longer practices and take a big jump offensively and defensively."
On what Savo Drezgic brings to the team...
"Savo is a terrific passer, competitor. He's got that European experience playing against high level professionals over there for quite some time to where he's mature beyond his years. Really high basketball IQ. Big body, point guard. Again, with a high-level ability to pass the ball and make his teammates better."
On the impact of last season's NIT run on the returners' development...
"I think it was important for them. I think it helped them gain confidence. It helped us with a little bit more of a sell in recruiting last spring. Just continues to provide us momentum. For those guys individually, I thought our three freshmen really finished strong. They got right back to work last spring and they've all had really strong off seasons."
On where he wants to see Silas Demary Jr., Blue Cain, and Dylan James grow this season...
"Culture, leadership more than anything. Winning. Individually, just from a skill standpoint or facets of the game, I would say. Silas has worked really hard on his shot. Improving his percentages, his turnover ratio as well. Blue Cain becoming more confident. Getting better defensively on the glass. Rounding out his game, which he started doing a lot late last year, of course. Silas had a really good year. In addition, Dylan James getting stronger. Shooting it with more confidence. Defending and rebounding at a high level, which is needed obviously at any front court spot in this league."
On his early impressions of Asa Newell...
"Asa Newell, very high motor. A big-time mover at 6'11". Laterally and the way he changes ends. Plays with a lot of energy. Had a really good summer."
On the challenges of building a consistent culture within the program...
"From year to year, I think it's very challenging. We are fortunate, to go back to an earlier question, that we retained three guys that started for us late in the year. They're a big part of what we're doing moving forward. Within the year, it's the same thing. Every year is a different team and different challenges and different personalities in the locker room. We spend a lot of time talking about it. We'll have a meeting here at 3:15 where we'll talk about culture and growth and process. It'll be very interactive. Ask guys questions. Get those guys talking about what's important and how do we get better today offensively and how do we shoot it better? How do we get connected defensively? Just that growth process is a big part of what we talk about to promote that culture. That's what we're looking for with this team and with next year's team and the following year."
On the style of play he envisions for the team this season...
"We'll be comparable to last year. We'd like to play a little bit faster. We played a little bit faster the previous year. I think this team offensively can be a little bit less call heavy. I think this team can have more success with some continuity stuff. Playing downhill. Screens off the ball. Screens on the ball. Picking our spots where we'll play really fast at times. I think this team can be better on the offensive glass for sure. Defensively, I think we can turn you over a little bit more so than the last couple years. There'll be a significant improvement in my opinion in how we protect the rim defensively. We can block and alter shots which can get us out into transition."
On the impact of bringing in big, physical, athletic players...
"Optimistic. This program the last couple years we've done some good things and we've had some deficiencies. We haven't had a lot of easy baskets. Whether they're in transition or on the offensive glass. Again, we haven't protected the rim at a high level. We haven't blocked many shots. We haven't altered a ton of shots. We had a couple of timely blocks last year by Russel Tchewa and a couple other guys. It hasn't been a strength of ours. I think that those areas will see a bunch of improvement this season."
On where Dylan James has improved in the offseason...
"He's gotten stronger. He's gained a little bit of weight. Not a ton, but he's definitely gotten stronger. He works at it. His ball skills have improved a lot. He's a guy that's unique in that he's playing a few different spots for us. He actually has to have a better understanding than the rest of our guys. We played him a lot of backcourt, believe it or not, this summer. He played some three and then he played some post for us. Really versatile. He's gained experience doing something a little bit different than the rest of our guys. He's got the ability to do that. He's really versatile. He's really talented."
On adding RJ Godfrey and Tyrin Lawrence to the roster...
"We're hopeful to see some late game production by Tyrin that we saw over the past few years competing against him and watching him in league games. At times, he's been really confident and had some big practices, but he's still learning what we're doing. RJ Godfrey, he was a heck of a player on a really good team there for a couple years, playing alongside a couple other really, really good frontcourt players. He's been terrific. His consistency, his motor, his toughness. We know exactly what we're getting out of RJ every day."
On how RJ Godfrey's experience has rubbed off on the team...
"Exactly that. It's rubbed off a little bit. We talk about culture, and he leads by example in a big way. If you're not playing as hard as him and you're competing against him, you're going to feel it."
On the team's overall health...
"Yeah, we are. Had a couple guys throughout the past few months that might be a week or a couple days or what have you, but this time of year is the best time if you're going to miss at all. The goal is to be as healthy as we possibly can be in November, December throughout the winter."
On Silas Demary Jr. taking a leadership role...
"Yeah, he's trying his best to lead by example. He's such a competitive guy defensively and on the glass. He's one of the better guards in the league in those areas and he's continuing to develop offensively and learn where to pick his spots in terms of him scoring it or him distributing and making guys around him better. Lead on the court with his voice. He's a guy like RJ. You know what you're getting every day. He had a really good freshman year and he's hopeful, we're hopeful that he can have even a better sophomore year."
On what he wants to learn from this next month of scrimmaging and practices...
"How it looks when you're in the real grind. We've been in that abbreviated grind so far and our guys — we haven't had a lot of opportunity, especially before you get into really good shape, basketball shape, to really test our guys physically and mentally through some hour-and-a-half, two-hour practices. How that looks, how our guys respond to some of that stuff starting next week will be interesting."
On playing Dakota Leffew and De'Shayne Montgomery together with their chemistry...
"Not a big factor for us really. We like our depth right now. We like our depth up front and in the backcourt and those are two of the guys that are fighting for minutes, fighting for starting spots and who's going to be the first guy off the bench and who's going to be our 10th, 11th guy, who knows. It's a healthy competition. Those guys are both very talented. They're a little different. They can play together but there will be times when one of them is on the court and one of them is not for sure. They've got their hands full with some other really good guards and some experienced guards too. I say that and our whole league's got a lot of those really good guards and experienced guards, but I do feel like our backcourt will be as good as it's been since we've been here."
On what has stood out from Dakota Leffew's game...
"Whether he's a one or a two, he's equally as effective sprinting into shots, dribbling into shots or getting other guys shots. He's really steady. He's a guy that doesn't play with a lot of emotion, but he plays very hard and so he's offensively you like his poise on and off the ball. Very good player, really skilled player."
On what he's seen from Somto Cyril and Justin Abson in the interior...
"Justin's had a couple really good practices. Lately got adjusted to this level of course. Really quick thinker very good passer. Instincts defensively, timing defensively with blocking shots. With either hand kind of got a unique ability there. On the ball too which is a little bit unique. Not rotational blocks but one-on-one blocks. He's just got unique length. Somto has got a seven-foot, six-[inch] wingspan and really elevates off the floor as well, so it's a couple plays each day he makes it a couple jaws are dropped, you know, athletically. Got to improve his motor over time. He's a spurt ability guy right now where he can play really hard in short spurts, and we've got to improve that consistency. Just like Justin adjusting to this level and his adjustment is even greater obviously coming from high school but a really talented guy."
On his confidence in moving up the SEC standings from last season to this season...
"I think we're better. I think there's a chance we can be significantly better than last year. Where does that put us in our league? I have no idea. I know if I spend time worrying about it, I'm not spending time on us getting better today. I just want us to become our best version, and I don't know where that puts us in our league. I've been around this league for a long, long time since I was 18 years old. My goodness it's the best it's ever been, and I say it every year and it's continuing to get better. January, February, I think we'll be talking about double digit teams getting in the NCAA Tournament. There's not a program, there's not a team in our league that I can point at and say well we'll be able to catch our breath when we play those guys this year. I don't think people will be able to say that about us either. I just think there's going to be a ton of parity. I don't know that we're one of the best teams in our league. We've got a big jump to make before we can say that, but I do think we'll be even more competitive than a year ago. Hopefully we can win some close ones. Hopefully we can continue to just get better and again just become our best version and see where that takes us."
On Blue Cain's improvement in the offseason...
"Making decisions off of the bounce. Shooting when he's open. We want him to be really aggressive and not pass up open threes. We don't want any of our guys that are shooters to do that. I think throughout last year he made a big jump defensively and got some really competitive defensive rebounds down the stretch in important parts of some of those late game situations in the NIT. He's growing in that area too. Just the overall ability to make winning plays in the SEC to compliment his ability to make open threes."
No. 9 Blue Cain | Soph. | Guard
On what has been his focus during the offseason...
"Just overall trying to get better. I think leadership was a big thing I wanted to really improve on. Last year, I was one of the younger guys. This year I think I had to kind of step into more of a leadership role. So, just being more vocal with the guys, leading by example, all that type of stuff."
On his first impressions of the new additions to the team...
"I think it's a great group of guys. We've worked really hard so far. The guys show up every day, regardless of what happened, good or bad the day before, they just show up ready to work,"
On the difference's from last year's squad...
"I think this year we're a lot younger. Last year we were a little older, but this year we're just a lot younger. But, it's just a good group of guys."
On what he was able to accomplish his freshman year...
"I think it was pretty good. Obviously, there's stuff I could've done better, stuff I did well, but I thought it was good to learn from some of the guys. I thought I had a good opportunity, so I was just thankful for it."
On his shooting...
"I mean, they're definitely telling me to shoot whenever I'm open and try to be a little more aggressive this year. Obviously, I was in the gym a lot and just whenever the game comes to be confident."
On his relationship with Silas Demary Jr and Dylan James...
"We definitely leaned on each other a lot during the whole decision process. I think Silas said it, I was his roommate last year, and Dylan and I became real close, so yeah I mean we're real close."
On his reaction when finding out Silas Demary Jr was returning to Georgia...
"I was definitely excited. I mean he had a great year last year and me and him grew close, so I was definitely excited that he was coming back."
On how he has seen Silas Demary Jr has grow as a leader...
"He was always a good leader, especially as a freshman, but this year he's just become more vocal. And, he's just become more of an every day type of guy, really shooting it well, playing well, he's the same type of guy."
On his impressions of Tyrin Lawrence and his experience...
"He's definitely an older guy on the team. He's played in the SEC, so I mean just leaning on him. He's a great guy, he really is. He's a great leader. And just being able to talk to him every day has been helpful."
On his impressions of RJ Godfrey...
"He's a great dude too. I think a lot of the team is just great dudes this year. Obviously, he knows what it takes to win. I know he played a big part on the team last year, so just whatever he has to say we usually listen to it."
On the competition level in practice...
"I mean, it's always competition. That was kind of, I think, the idea in the offseason was to bring in a lot of good players so we can have as much competition to make each other better. But, we're just focused on pushing each other."
On the level of competition being a motivator...
"It's definitely a motivator, but I'm more so just focused on improving myself everyday, and then whatever happens will take care of itself."
On what he has seen from Asa Newell...
"I definitely think he lives up to [the hype]. He has a crazy motor, plays crazy hard and he's way more skilled than what I thought. He's a great player."
On what he's seen from Silas Demary Jr as he prepares for his second season...
"He's always in the gym, always working. He's just improving his shooting, and yeah he's just always in the gym."
On what he would tell the freshmen from his experience...
"Just don't get too high, don't get too low. It's a long season full of ups and downs. There's going to be good days, bad days, just try to stay even keel."
On the impressive moments Somto Cyril has had in practice...
"Yeah, he'll have like one or two plays a day where you're just like, he'll just go get a crazy rebound, go get a crazy block, dunk so I mean it's just probably every other day."
No. 5 Silas Demary Jr. | G | So.
On where he feels like he's grown the most this offseason…
"I would say where I feel like I've grown the most is just being one of the leaders on the team, being able to be a vocal leader, using my voice more. Even on bad days where I feel like I'm not feeling the best, just still using my voice and just being impactful day in and day out."
On how he is trying to improve as a shooter…
"Definitely just countless hours in the gym, gaining confidence, watching film, just seeing what spots are open, shooting that open three. The biggest thing for me is just having confidence because obviously I put in a lot of hours. It's just believing in myself when the moment is there."
On the changes in the team from last year to this year…
"I would definitely say it's a step in the right direction. Last year was a start to something we wanted to make great, and I feel like this year, definitely bringing in some better guys – and even looking at three we brought back, me, Blue [Cain], and Dylan [James] – I just feel like we're gelling. The chemistry is there, and I just feel like we're just growing every day."
On his mindset in deciding to return to Georgia…
"My mindset was just this is home for me. Everybody welcomed me with open arms, so I just felt like it was the best place for me and the best situation. And then it was guys that wanted to come here and I helped recruit – me, Blue and Dylan also helped. So, I mean, it was just a matter of being able to be a big part of the team and being able to help bring guys in."
On how he will hold his teammates accountable this year…
"Just watching film with some of the teammates. We have a lot of younger guys this year. We've got some older, but a lot of freshmen that are going to play big minutes this year, so we've got to lean on them. Watching film, seeing things in practice – just always talking kind of is the biggest thing for me."
On the biggest differences between last year's team and this year's additions…
"I would definitely say we have more size. I feel like we have true four or fives this year to be able to punch it in or play true size. We got Asa [Newell], Somto [Cyril] – Asa's 6'11", Somto's 6'11" – so I feel like we have true size, and I feel like we're a little bit faster this year. We get out in transition a lot more, and, also, on the back line, we're a little bit longer. So, I might blow in front of you, but I know I can trust Somto behind me to block that shot or alter it."
On the culture of the team…
"Our culture is great, man. I feel like a lot of times we're sitting in the locker room after practice just talking, just talking about things in the past or we even go out to dinner. We go get Red Card together. So, I feel like this team, we're always together no matter what. Even on weekends, RJ [Godfrey] invites guys to his house to watch the games. I think last week some of the guys were over there watching the fight. So, I think this team, we're a lot more close and a lot more close-knit. I think the culture is definitely growing in the right direction."
On how he is trying to grow as a leader…
"I'm just kind of leaning on Coach [Mike White]. Obviously, he's great to talk, but sometimes lets other guys talk. There can't always be one guy. So, I feel like I'm trying to lean on the coaches as much as I can, just trying to get things from them and then bringing it to the little huddles. Maybe we might go into a segment where we play five on five. We might go like three trips. So, sometimes you want to pull a guy to the side or even pull your team to the side and just talk to them a little bit. Sometimes it can't always be the coaches."
Though the team has been working out together throughout the summer and fall, Monday begins the Bulldogs' first week of preseason workouts, with the hours allowable for basketball activities extending from eight to 20 hours per week.
Georgia is looking to continue its consistent and impressive improvement under head coach Mike White during his first two seasons in Athens. In 2022-23, the Bulldogs increased their regular-season win total from the previous year by 10 victories. That represented the second-largest jump among all Power conference programs that season. Last winter, Georgia earned its first postseason bid since 2017 and then utilized a run to the NIT semifinals to reach the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2016.
This year's Bulldogs return three starters – sophomores Blue Cain, Silas Demary Jr. and Dylan James – and three additional letterwinners – Brandon Klatsky, Justin Newell and Markel Jennings. Georgia's roster also features nine newcomers – four freshmen and nine transfers. The freshman class features Somto Cyril, Savo Drezgic, Jordyn Kee and Asa Newell. The transfers are graduates Tyrin Lawrence and Dakota Leffew, juniors Justin Abson and RJ Godfrey and sophomore De'Shayne Montgomery. The Bulldogs freshman and transfer recruiting classes both have been ranked among the nation's top 10 groups by various media outlets.
Earlier this week, White, Cain and Demary Jr. met with members of the media to discuss the beginning of practices and this year's team.
Head Coach Mike White
On how good the team will be this season...
"We're going to be good. Yeah, we are. Our whole league's going to be good, but I like our group. Really competitive group. Has worked hard. We've had some time with them. You know, it's different than when I first got into coaching when it was four at a time. You know, a lot of limitations on how often you can get out there on the court with them. But we've had abbreviated practices for quite some time. Starting next Monday, we'll have the 20 hours per week, so it'll be ramped up for sure. We'll have an opportunity to have longer practices and take a big jump offensively and defensively."
On what Savo Drezgic brings to the team...
"Savo is a terrific passer, competitor. He's got that European experience playing against high level professionals over there for quite some time to where he's mature beyond his years. Really high basketball IQ. Big body, point guard. Again, with a high-level ability to pass the ball and make his teammates better."
On the impact of last season's NIT run on the returners' development...
"I think it was important for them. I think it helped them gain confidence. It helped us with a little bit more of a sell in recruiting last spring. Just continues to provide us momentum. For those guys individually, I thought our three freshmen really finished strong. They got right back to work last spring and they've all had really strong off seasons."
On where he wants to see Silas Demary Jr., Blue Cain, and Dylan James grow this season...
"Culture, leadership more than anything. Winning. Individually, just from a skill standpoint or facets of the game, I would say. Silas has worked really hard on his shot. Improving his percentages, his turnover ratio as well. Blue Cain becoming more confident. Getting better defensively on the glass. Rounding out his game, which he started doing a lot late last year, of course. Silas had a really good year. In addition, Dylan James getting stronger. Shooting it with more confidence. Defending and rebounding at a high level, which is needed obviously at any front court spot in this league."
On his early impressions of Asa Newell...
"Asa Newell, very high motor. A big-time mover at 6'11". Laterally and the way he changes ends. Plays with a lot of energy. Had a really good summer."
On the challenges of building a consistent culture within the program...
"From year to year, I think it's very challenging. We are fortunate, to go back to an earlier question, that we retained three guys that started for us late in the year. They're a big part of what we're doing moving forward. Within the year, it's the same thing. Every year is a different team and different challenges and different personalities in the locker room. We spend a lot of time talking about it. We'll have a meeting here at 3:15 where we'll talk about culture and growth and process. It'll be very interactive. Ask guys questions. Get those guys talking about what's important and how do we get better today offensively and how do we shoot it better? How do we get connected defensively? Just that growth process is a big part of what we talk about to promote that culture. That's what we're looking for with this team and with next year's team and the following year."
On the style of play he envisions for the team this season...
"We'll be comparable to last year. We'd like to play a little bit faster. We played a little bit faster the previous year. I think this team offensively can be a little bit less call heavy. I think this team can have more success with some continuity stuff. Playing downhill. Screens off the ball. Screens on the ball. Picking our spots where we'll play really fast at times. I think this team can be better on the offensive glass for sure. Defensively, I think we can turn you over a little bit more so than the last couple years. There'll be a significant improvement in my opinion in how we protect the rim defensively. We can block and alter shots which can get us out into transition."
On the impact of bringing in big, physical, athletic players...
"Optimistic. This program the last couple years we've done some good things and we've had some deficiencies. We haven't had a lot of easy baskets. Whether they're in transition or on the offensive glass. Again, we haven't protected the rim at a high level. We haven't blocked many shots. We haven't altered a ton of shots. We had a couple of timely blocks last year by Russel Tchewa and a couple other guys. It hasn't been a strength of ours. I think that those areas will see a bunch of improvement this season."
On where Dylan James has improved in the offseason...
"He's gotten stronger. He's gained a little bit of weight. Not a ton, but he's definitely gotten stronger. He works at it. His ball skills have improved a lot. He's a guy that's unique in that he's playing a few different spots for us. He actually has to have a better understanding than the rest of our guys. We played him a lot of backcourt, believe it or not, this summer. He played some three and then he played some post for us. Really versatile. He's gained experience doing something a little bit different than the rest of our guys. He's got the ability to do that. He's really versatile. He's really talented."
On adding RJ Godfrey and Tyrin Lawrence to the roster...
"We're hopeful to see some late game production by Tyrin that we saw over the past few years competing against him and watching him in league games. At times, he's been really confident and had some big practices, but he's still learning what we're doing. RJ Godfrey, he was a heck of a player on a really good team there for a couple years, playing alongside a couple other really, really good frontcourt players. He's been terrific. His consistency, his motor, his toughness. We know exactly what we're getting out of RJ every day."
On how RJ Godfrey's experience has rubbed off on the team...
"Exactly that. It's rubbed off a little bit. We talk about culture, and he leads by example in a big way. If you're not playing as hard as him and you're competing against him, you're going to feel it."
On the team's overall health...
"Yeah, we are. Had a couple guys throughout the past few months that might be a week or a couple days or what have you, but this time of year is the best time if you're going to miss at all. The goal is to be as healthy as we possibly can be in November, December throughout the winter."
On Silas Demary Jr. taking a leadership role...
"Yeah, he's trying his best to lead by example. He's such a competitive guy defensively and on the glass. He's one of the better guards in the league in those areas and he's continuing to develop offensively and learn where to pick his spots in terms of him scoring it or him distributing and making guys around him better. Lead on the court with his voice. He's a guy like RJ. You know what you're getting every day. He had a really good freshman year and he's hopeful, we're hopeful that he can have even a better sophomore year."
On what he wants to learn from this next month of scrimmaging and practices...
"How it looks when you're in the real grind. We've been in that abbreviated grind so far and our guys — we haven't had a lot of opportunity, especially before you get into really good shape, basketball shape, to really test our guys physically and mentally through some hour-and-a-half, two-hour practices. How that looks, how our guys respond to some of that stuff starting next week will be interesting."
On playing Dakota Leffew and De'Shayne Montgomery together with their chemistry...
"Not a big factor for us really. We like our depth right now. We like our depth up front and in the backcourt and those are two of the guys that are fighting for minutes, fighting for starting spots and who's going to be the first guy off the bench and who's going to be our 10th, 11th guy, who knows. It's a healthy competition. Those guys are both very talented. They're a little different. They can play together but there will be times when one of them is on the court and one of them is not for sure. They've got their hands full with some other really good guards and some experienced guards too. I say that and our whole league's got a lot of those really good guards and experienced guards, but I do feel like our backcourt will be as good as it's been since we've been here."
On what has stood out from Dakota Leffew's game...
"Whether he's a one or a two, he's equally as effective sprinting into shots, dribbling into shots or getting other guys shots. He's really steady. He's a guy that doesn't play with a lot of emotion, but he plays very hard and so he's offensively you like his poise on and off the ball. Very good player, really skilled player."
On what he's seen from Somto Cyril and Justin Abson in the interior...
"Justin's had a couple really good practices. Lately got adjusted to this level of course. Really quick thinker very good passer. Instincts defensively, timing defensively with blocking shots. With either hand kind of got a unique ability there. On the ball too which is a little bit unique. Not rotational blocks but one-on-one blocks. He's just got unique length. Somto has got a seven-foot, six-[inch] wingspan and really elevates off the floor as well, so it's a couple plays each day he makes it a couple jaws are dropped, you know, athletically. Got to improve his motor over time. He's a spurt ability guy right now where he can play really hard in short spurts, and we've got to improve that consistency. Just like Justin adjusting to this level and his adjustment is even greater obviously coming from high school but a really talented guy."
On his confidence in moving up the SEC standings from last season to this season...
"I think we're better. I think there's a chance we can be significantly better than last year. Where does that put us in our league? I have no idea. I know if I spend time worrying about it, I'm not spending time on us getting better today. I just want us to become our best version, and I don't know where that puts us in our league. I've been around this league for a long, long time since I was 18 years old. My goodness it's the best it's ever been, and I say it every year and it's continuing to get better. January, February, I think we'll be talking about double digit teams getting in the NCAA Tournament. There's not a program, there's not a team in our league that I can point at and say well we'll be able to catch our breath when we play those guys this year. I don't think people will be able to say that about us either. I just think there's going to be a ton of parity. I don't know that we're one of the best teams in our league. We've got a big jump to make before we can say that, but I do think we'll be even more competitive than a year ago. Hopefully we can win some close ones. Hopefully we can continue to just get better and again just become our best version and see where that takes us."
On Blue Cain's improvement in the offseason...
"Making decisions off of the bounce. Shooting when he's open. We want him to be really aggressive and not pass up open threes. We don't want any of our guys that are shooters to do that. I think throughout last year he made a big jump defensively and got some really competitive defensive rebounds down the stretch in important parts of some of those late game situations in the NIT. He's growing in that area too. Just the overall ability to make winning plays in the SEC to compliment his ability to make open threes."
No. 9 Blue Cain | Soph. | Guard
On what has been his focus during the offseason...
"Just overall trying to get better. I think leadership was a big thing I wanted to really improve on. Last year, I was one of the younger guys. This year I think I had to kind of step into more of a leadership role. So, just being more vocal with the guys, leading by example, all that type of stuff."
On his first impressions of the new additions to the team...
"I think it's a great group of guys. We've worked really hard so far. The guys show up every day, regardless of what happened, good or bad the day before, they just show up ready to work,"
On the difference's from last year's squad...
"I think this year we're a lot younger. Last year we were a little older, but this year we're just a lot younger. But, it's just a good group of guys."
On what he was able to accomplish his freshman year...
"I think it was pretty good. Obviously, there's stuff I could've done better, stuff I did well, but I thought it was good to learn from some of the guys. I thought I had a good opportunity, so I was just thankful for it."
On his shooting...
"I mean, they're definitely telling me to shoot whenever I'm open and try to be a little more aggressive this year. Obviously, I was in the gym a lot and just whenever the game comes to be confident."
On his relationship with Silas Demary Jr and Dylan James...
"We definitely leaned on each other a lot during the whole decision process. I think Silas said it, I was his roommate last year, and Dylan and I became real close, so yeah I mean we're real close."
On his reaction when finding out Silas Demary Jr was returning to Georgia...
"I was definitely excited. I mean he had a great year last year and me and him grew close, so I was definitely excited that he was coming back."
On how he has seen Silas Demary Jr has grow as a leader...
"He was always a good leader, especially as a freshman, but this year he's just become more vocal. And, he's just become more of an every day type of guy, really shooting it well, playing well, he's the same type of guy."
On his impressions of Tyrin Lawrence and his experience...
"He's definitely an older guy on the team. He's played in the SEC, so I mean just leaning on him. He's a great guy, he really is. He's a great leader. And just being able to talk to him every day has been helpful."
On his impressions of RJ Godfrey...
"He's a great dude too. I think a lot of the team is just great dudes this year. Obviously, he knows what it takes to win. I know he played a big part on the team last year, so just whatever he has to say we usually listen to it."
On the competition level in practice...
"I mean, it's always competition. That was kind of, I think, the idea in the offseason was to bring in a lot of good players so we can have as much competition to make each other better. But, we're just focused on pushing each other."
On the level of competition being a motivator...
"It's definitely a motivator, but I'm more so just focused on improving myself everyday, and then whatever happens will take care of itself."
On what he has seen from Asa Newell...
"I definitely think he lives up to [the hype]. He has a crazy motor, plays crazy hard and he's way more skilled than what I thought. He's a great player."
On what he's seen from Silas Demary Jr as he prepares for his second season...
"He's always in the gym, always working. He's just improving his shooting, and yeah he's just always in the gym."
On what he would tell the freshmen from his experience...
"Just don't get too high, don't get too low. It's a long season full of ups and downs. There's going to be good days, bad days, just try to stay even keel."
On the impressive moments Somto Cyril has had in practice...
"Yeah, he'll have like one or two plays a day where you're just like, he'll just go get a crazy rebound, go get a crazy block, dunk so I mean it's just probably every other day."
No. 5 Silas Demary Jr. | G | So.
On where he feels like he's grown the most this offseason…
"I would say where I feel like I've grown the most is just being one of the leaders on the team, being able to be a vocal leader, using my voice more. Even on bad days where I feel like I'm not feeling the best, just still using my voice and just being impactful day in and day out."
On how he is trying to improve as a shooter…
"Definitely just countless hours in the gym, gaining confidence, watching film, just seeing what spots are open, shooting that open three. The biggest thing for me is just having confidence because obviously I put in a lot of hours. It's just believing in myself when the moment is there."
On the changes in the team from last year to this year…
"I would definitely say it's a step in the right direction. Last year was a start to something we wanted to make great, and I feel like this year, definitely bringing in some better guys – and even looking at three we brought back, me, Blue [Cain], and Dylan [James] – I just feel like we're gelling. The chemistry is there, and I just feel like we're just growing every day."
On his mindset in deciding to return to Georgia…
"My mindset was just this is home for me. Everybody welcomed me with open arms, so I just felt like it was the best place for me and the best situation. And then it was guys that wanted to come here and I helped recruit – me, Blue and Dylan also helped. So, I mean, it was just a matter of being able to be a big part of the team and being able to help bring guys in."
On how he will hold his teammates accountable this year…
"Just watching film with some of the teammates. We have a lot of younger guys this year. We've got some older, but a lot of freshmen that are going to play big minutes this year, so we've got to lean on them. Watching film, seeing things in practice – just always talking kind of is the biggest thing for me."
On the biggest differences between last year's team and this year's additions…
"I would definitely say we have more size. I feel like we have true four or fives this year to be able to punch it in or play true size. We got Asa [Newell], Somto [Cyril] – Asa's 6'11", Somto's 6'11" – so I feel like we have true size, and I feel like we're a little bit faster this year. We get out in transition a lot more, and, also, on the back line, we're a little bit longer. So, I might blow in front of you, but I know I can trust Somto behind me to block that shot or alter it."
On the culture of the team…
"Our culture is great, man. I feel like a lot of times we're sitting in the locker room after practice just talking, just talking about things in the past or we even go out to dinner. We go get Red Card together. So, I feel like this team, we're always together no matter what. Even on weekends, RJ [Godfrey] invites guys to his house to watch the games. I think last week some of the guys were over there watching the fight. So, I think this team, we're a lot more close and a lot more close-knit. I think the culture is definitely growing in the right direction."
On how he is trying to grow as a leader…
"I'm just kind of leaning on Coach [Mike White]. Obviously, he's great to talk, but sometimes lets other guys talk. There can't always be one guy. So, I feel like I'm trying to lean on the coaches as much as I can, just trying to get things from them and then bringing it to the little huddles. Maybe we might go into a segment where we play five on five. We might go like three trips. So, sometimes you want to pull a guy to the side or even pull your team to the side and just talk to them a little bit. Sometimes it can't always be the coaches."
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