St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: St. John’s Women’s Basketball Media Day
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, fifth-year guard Kadaja Bailey, sixth-year guard Mimi Reid and senior guard Unique Drake spoke to the media at St. John’s Media Day at Carnesecca Arena
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“It’s been an exciting start for us. Last year at this time, we had four players on the floor practicing for two and a half weeks. For us, as a staff, it’s been great to have our full group out there, working since the summer. We have a really veteran group. Even though we have six new faces in the program, seven [players] return. We addressed a lot of the areas of need that we had in the offseason. We have been really pleased with our progress, especially from the new players. We’re really excited about the speed and depth that we have this year and the athleticism that we’ve shown over the past few weeks and from the summer. I’m really excited to see what we are going to do this year. We continue to get better every day. This group has continued to grow each and every day.”
On Kadaja Bailey…
“I think Kadaja has had an incredible journey to be where she is today, especially as a local product. I’ve known her since she was 10. Her maturity level has improved every year, which has also translated to her level of play. In my view, she should have been the most improved player in our league last year. I think she’s primed to show her ability to be an All-BIG EAST player this year. I think she’s earned that right. We’ve asked a lot of our players, in a way, to be different, and she’s been extremely different in how she’s approached things this year since the summer. When we talk about being aggressive, she does a lot of things that don’t show up on that piece of paper. As a guard, her ability to be versatile for us is big. Everything she’s done on the basketball floor has been amazing, and I know she’s going to have a great final year, but when she graduates in May, that will be the biggest moment of her life.”
On bringing in experienced newcomers…
“It’s been a joy, to be honest with you. We have players that have been in multiple programs that have had different roles, including one that was in the SEC, played the point guard position and has had over 100 assists in every season she has played in Mimi Reid. All four of our new faces have brought experience from their prior institutions. There is an excitement from our staff that they get it a little bit quicker than a new player. They’ve had the experience. They know what it takes to win. They’re able to communicate with their teammates more effectively. For some of our players, this is their last year. They’ve embraced each other. As a coach, it’s been a joy and breath of fresh air to have players with the experience they have.”
On defining our style of play on-the-court…
“I’m not defining it by what our record is, but when people play us, they know they’re going to play a team that plays as hard as possible. There’s never going to be a moment where we’re slacking off in how we play. We’re playing with pace on offense. We’re guarding people. We’re built on defending. The personalities that we have on our team will stand out in how they play. Competing is wanting to win, so a postseason berth is what it’s about and being back in the tournament. Competing is wanting to win every single thing that we do. I want people to leave knowing that we’re one of the hardest-playing teams in the country.”
Fifth-year Guard Kadaja Bailey
On facing some of the top teams in the country in the BIG EAST…
“We prepare well, we work hard in practice and go over the things we need to go over and stay focused on our team.”
On leading the team as a veteran presence…
“Just holding everyone accountable and just being there by making sure they are good.”
On which newcomer has surprised her the most this off-season…
“I would say Jayla Everett. She’s really good, she locks in, she plays defense, has energy and is there for us. She holds us accountable and makes sure our energy stays up.”
Sixth-year Guard Mimi Reid
On how she fits in at St. John’s
“I’m a hard-nosed point guard. … I think that’s what coach [Joe Tartamella] and the coaches are looking for to play alongside Unique [Drake]. I definitely believe my style of play and fitting in is working hard and don’t get outworked.”
Senior Guard Unique Drake
On what the newcomers wealth of experience brings to the team…
“We need that type of energy and they know what it takes to get there. We haven’t been there and that’s we need that to get where we want to be.”
Opening statement…
“It’s been an exciting start for us. Last year at this time, we had four players on the floor practicing for two and a half weeks. For us, as a staff, it’s been great to have our full group out there, working since the summer. We have a really veteran group. Even though we have six new faces in the program, seven [players] return. We addressed a lot of the areas of need that we had in the offseason. We have been really pleased with our progress, especially from the new players. We’re really excited about the speed and depth that we have this year and the athleticism that we’ve shown over the past few weeks and from the summer. I’m really excited to see what we are going to do this year. We continue to get better every day. This group has continued to grow each and every day.”
On Kadaja Bailey…
“I think Kadaja has had an incredible journey to be where she is today, especially as a local product. I’ve known her since she was 10. Her maturity level has improved every year, which has also translated to her level of play. In my view, she should have been the most improved player in our league last year. I think she’s primed to show her ability to be an All-BIG EAST player this year. I think she’s earned that right. We’ve asked a lot of our players, in a way, to be different, and she’s been extremely different in how she’s approached things this year since the summer. When we talk about being aggressive, she does a lot of things that don’t show up on that piece of paper. As a guard, her ability to be versatile for us is big. Everything she’s done on the basketball floor has been amazing, and I know she’s going to have a great final year, but when she graduates in May, that will be the biggest moment of her life.”
On bringing in experienced newcomers…
“It’s been a joy, to be honest with you. We have players that have been in multiple programs that have had different roles, including one that was in the SEC, played the point guard position and has had over 100 assists in every season she has played in Mimi Reid. All four of our new faces have brought experience from their prior institutions. There is an excitement from our staff that they get it a little bit quicker than a new player. They’ve had the experience. They know what it takes to win. They’re able to communicate with their teammates more effectively. For some of our players, this is their last year. They’ve embraced each other. As a coach, it’s been a joy and breath of fresh air to have players with the experience they have.”
On defining our style of play on-the-court…
“I’m not defining it by what our record is, but when people play us, they know they’re going to play a team that plays as hard as possible. There’s never going to be a moment where we’re slacking off in how we play. We’re playing with pace on offense. We’re guarding people. We’re built on defending. The personalities that we have on our team will stand out in how they play. Competing is wanting to win, so a postseason berth is what it’s about and being back in the tournament. Competing is wanting to win every single thing that we do. I want people to leave knowing that we’re one of the hardest-playing teams in the country.”
Fifth-year Guard Kadaja Bailey
On facing some of the top teams in the country in the BIG EAST…
“We prepare well, we work hard in practice and go over the things we need to go over and stay focused on our team.”
On leading the team as a veteran presence…
“Just holding everyone accountable and just being there by making sure they are good.”
On which newcomer has surprised her the most this off-season…
“I would say Jayla Everett. She’s really good, she locks in, she plays defense, has energy and is there for us. She holds us accountable and makes sure our energy stays up.”
Sixth-year Guard Mimi Reid
On how she fits in at St. John’s
“I’m a hard-nosed point guard. … I think that’s what coach [Joe Tartamella] and the coaches are looking for to play alongside Unique [Drake]. I definitely believe my style of play and fitting in is working hard and don’t get outworked.”
Senior Guard Unique Drake
On what the newcomers wealth of experience brings to the team…
“We need that type of energy and they know what it takes to get there. We haven’t been there and that’s we need that to get where we want to be.”