St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: 2018 BIG EAST Media Day
10/25/2018 8:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Joe Tartamella and players address the media on Thursday at Madison Square Garden
Coach Joe Tartamella
Coach Joe Tartamella on 2018 BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year Kadaja Bailey:
"Kadaja is unique and I've known her since she was in ninth grade and have been watching her probably since she was an eighth grade. She's a long, athletic kid who is talented and can score the ball. As a freshman we have to help her with the transition, and make sure she gets strong. She brings offensive talent, great support and fits in well with the players we have, so we are expecting a lot of her. She's been a great addition and we are excited to see what she can do."
Coach Joe Tartamella on Akina Wellere and veteran players:
"It is great to have Akina [Wellere] be with us for four years and a part of our championship team in 2016, to be able to have her help us with our younger players, talk about her experience, and help us create the culture we want. Certainly right now we can say we have a good spread despite having nine players on the floor and we are excited looking ahead. We're ready to go!"
St. John's Guard/Forward Akina Wellere
On advice to younger players:
"Work hard. There are not many days you have off. There are not many summers you have to yourself. You have to perfect your craft every day and brand yourself, make yourself marketable to other Division I schools but ultimately, never doubt yourself, be confident and play the best you can play."
On the 2018-19 season:
"I am looking forward to going into my final season competing with these young ladies. I try to help them every day to learn and develop into players on and off the court. They lead me too because there are times I may not understand something and they help me. All of us are leaders because we help each other and hold each other accountable."
St. John's Guard Qadashah Hoppie
On building success:
"Don't become complacent. There are always things that you can fine tune, make better in your game and bring you to a higher level than you were last year. I keep working on my game to bring a better me for this year. I want to contribute more this year and be better."
St. John's Guard Alisha Kebbe
On her upcoming season as a junior:
"I'm looking forward to being the best role player I can be for the team. I know we are smaller than last year but we are bonding more, a lot quicker. I think we are going to have a really good year this year. We have to attack every game the same way, no matter who we play. We always have to be on our toes and never take breaks on defense or offense."
On leadership and being an upperclassman:
"As an upperclassman, I became more positive because of my experience, all the games, tough times and adversity, I've been through it all. It's my job to spread those experiences to help my younger teammates and maintain a positive attitude for them."
St. John's Guard Tiana England
On season expectations:
"Individually, I feel like defensively I want to improve. Not getting lost in transition and back door situations. We're a transition team. Whoever gets a rebound can bring the ball up and push the pressure. It doesn't just have to be me. I think we'll be more efficient this year. Defense fuels our offense and we have to make sure we trust our teammates. If we get beat, someone is going to help us. Rebounding is a key this year since we are playing smaller.
Players Mentioned
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