St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: St. John’s Basketball Media Day
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson, junior forward Julian Champagnie, sophomore guard Posh Alexander, graduate student guard Tareq Coburn, graduate student forward Aaron Wheeler, and junior forward Joel Soriano spoke with the media Tuesday inside Carnesecca Arena
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening statement…
“It’s good to see everybody. It’s refreshing to get the chance to see some faces. [I am] super excited about our season. We’re ready to get to that next step. We had a pretty good offseason [with] a lot of new additions These players all seem new. Six transfers came in, guys coming in from various programs, and they’re ready to come help us. We continue to develop. Each year we talk about getting better. How can we get better? Those guys came in, and hopefully we can do what we are trying to do. We have three freshmen that we are excited about and of course the three guys that are coming back. [Posh Alexander, Julian Champagnie, and Dylan Addae-Wusu] are going to be core players. We’re excited to get started.”
On the difference between all the new faces on this year’s team compared to the 2019-20 team…
“It’s different in the sense that we brought these guys in. … We brought guys in who fit what we want to do, but at the same time, it’s a process, and there’s no question about it.”
On improving the team’s shooting…
“I think we have more guys that are capable of shooting. We’ll see when we turn the lights on. Last year, I thought we were much better shooting from deep than we were the previous year, but I thought our defense kind of went the other way. Once we figure out our balance and playing great defense the shots will come. I think we have to have that balance with our basketball team. We have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball. Guys can go inside and outside, but I still want us to be an attacking team.”
Junior forward Julian Champagnie
On being named as the toughest player to stop by players in the BIG EAST in an article by The Athletic…
“It means that the work I’m putting in is paying off. I pride myself in getting better every day. For the players to vote that way, it means a lot, but at the same time, I don’t really look at polls too much. I know what I do. I know what I put out on the court every day.”
On team depth…
“I feel like we have a lot of guys this year. We have a deep team. We have a lot of pieces that people don’t know about yet. They’re going to find out about them throughout the [year]. When the season starts, I feel like a lot of guys will surprise some people. I think we are coming together as a team.”
Sophomore guard Posh Alexander
On being voted as the toughest player to score against by players in the BIG EAST in an article by The Athletic …
“I feel like it gives me more motivation and confidence. I have to come out and do the same thing I did last year, actually be much better than I was last year. My main focus is to still pick up 94 feet, stay aggressive and keep playing hard.”
On what he has worked on in the offseason…
“Some of the things I worked on is being more consistent with my jump shot, shooting with confidence and change of pace when I’m playing.”
Graduate student guard Tareq Coburn
On bringing experience to St. John’s…
“I’m definitely a winner. I’m a shooter, so I fit into any team, I believe. [I am] a natural scorer, so I can definitely bring a lot to the table. [I am] a versatile player and a veteran guy that has won championships, and I am going to do whatever it takes.”
Graduate student forward Aaron Wheeler
On how he will fit into a new team…
“[I will] bring versatility. I think I can do a number of things and whatever I am asked to do. I can stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, get out in transition. [I will fit best by] being able to do different things on the floor and be consistent.”
Junior forward Joel Soriano
On how he has fit into a transition-style of offense…
“It’s a different type of speed, for sure. We play really fast. When I first got here, it was a big step forward [for me]. I still have some things to work on, but it definitely has been a big adjustment. At the beginning it was tough, but it’s [the offense] like second nature to me now. It was a flip of the switch.”
Opening statement…
“It’s good to see everybody. It’s refreshing to get the chance to see some faces. [I am] super excited about our season. We’re ready to get to that next step. We had a pretty good offseason [with] a lot of new additions These players all seem new. Six transfers came in, guys coming in from various programs, and they’re ready to come help us. We continue to develop. Each year we talk about getting better. How can we get better? Those guys came in, and hopefully we can do what we are trying to do. We have three freshmen that we are excited about and of course the three guys that are coming back. [Posh Alexander, Julian Champagnie, and Dylan Addae-Wusu] are going to be core players. We’re excited to get started.”
On the difference between all the new faces on this year’s team compared to the 2019-20 team…
“It’s different in the sense that we brought these guys in. … We brought guys in who fit what we want to do, but at the same time, it’s a process, and there’s no question about it.”
On improving the team’s shooting…
“I think we have more guys that are capable of shooting. We’ll see when we turn the lights on. Last year, I thought we were much better shooting from deep than we were the previous year, but I thought our defense kind of went the other way. Once we figure out our balance and playing great defense the shots will come. I think we have to have that balance with our basketball team. We have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball. Guys can go inside and outside, but I still want us to be an attacking team.”
Junior forward Julian Champagnie
On being named as the toughest player to stop by players in the BIG EAST in an article by The Athletic…
“It means that the work I’m putting in is paying off. I pride myself in getting better every day. For the players to vote that way, it means a lot, but at the same time, I don’t really look at polls too much. I know what I do. I know what I put out on the court every day.”
On team depth…
“I feel like we have a lot of guys this year. We have a deep team. We have a lot of pieces that people don’t know about yet. They’re going to find out about them throughout the [year]. When the season starts, I feel like a lot of guys will surprise some people. I think we are coming together as a team.”
Sophomore guard Posh Alexander
On being voted as the toughest player to score against by players in the BIG EAST in an article by The Athletic …
“I feel like it gives me more motivation and confidence. I have to come out and do the same thing I did last year, actually be much better than I was last year. My main focus is to still pick up 94 feet, stay aggressive and keep playing hard.”
On what he has worked on in the offseason…
“Some of the things I worked on is being more consistent with my jump shot, shooting with confidence and change of pace when I’m playing.”
Graduate student guard Tareq Coburn
On bringing experience to St. John’s…
“I’m definitely a winner. I’m a shooter, so I fit into any team, I believe. [I am] a natural scorer, so I can definitely bring a lot to the table. [I am] a versatile player and a veteran guy that has won championships, and I am going to do whatever it takes.”
Graduate student forward Aaron Wheeler
On how he will fit into a new team…
“[I will] bring versatility. I think I can do a number of things and whatever I am asked to do. I can stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, get out in transition. [I will fit best by] being able to do different things on the floor and be consistent.”
Junior forward Joel Soriano
On how he has fit into a transition-style of offense…
“It’s a different type of speed, for sure. We play really fast. When I first got here, it was a big step forward [for me]. I still have some things to work on, but it definitely has been a big adjustment. At the beginning it was tough, but it’s [the offense] like second nature to me now. It was a flip of the switch.”