St. John's University Athletics
PREGAME QUOTES: No. 10/9 St. John’s vs. DePaul
St. John’s Men’s Basketball guard Deivon Smith spoke with the media ahead of the Red Storm’s matchup against the Blue Demons on Wednesday
St. John’s guard Deivon Smith
On the process leading up to playing in Sunday’s game against Creighton…
“Even the practice leading up to Sunday, I felt super comfortable. I was able to hit a lot of shots and just kind of get over that hump, like the mental part of just seeing a ball go in and feeling comfortable again. So, even before Sunday's game, Saturday's practice, I had a really, really good practice for my first time practicing since sometime after that UConn game. I was just super comfortable and I was able to see some shots go in and feel good.”
On being motivated to come back by the team winning…
“It was definitely motivating. I mean, for me as a player, watching my team win and the success we're having this season, just watching all the fun, I definitely didn't want to miss out on it. I know I could contribute in multiple ways and watching that Villanova game was super hard, because I know we should have won that, so I told [Coach Pitino] ‘I'll get through it. I'll get through the mental part, and I'm okay with whatever comes with it, whether I have a bad game, a good game.’ Because I'm sure I could do two to three good things that could change the pace of the game or change momentum. So, I just told him about sacrifice, sacrifice for the team, just to win and be a part of this success.”
On if he takes it as motivation by Coach Pitino…
“I definitely do, even early on in the season, we had a little back and forth, and I didn't really take anything personally. I think everything he says is motivational because he's seen so much, he's done so much, so I kind of just take it for what it is. And, you know, just work on me and improve. Just get in the training room and be ready to go.”
On staying focused each game through this winning stretch…
“Each and every game we play, [Coach Pitino] tells us it’s the biggest game of the season, just because we do have the target on our back being in that number one spot. So, we're going to get each and everybody's best shot because beating us can change the narrative for a lot of teams.”
On the remaining games in the season…
“I want to win all of them. I want to be happy at the end of it and just build some momentum for the [NCAA] Tournament. I haven't played in the tournament or have been in a position to win before. So, I just want to take advantage of each and every opportunity and every game. I want to show my talent and my God-given ability and have fun.”
On being able to play in Sunday’s game…
“I had a really great practice. I texted Coach Pitino when I was ruled out. I swear this is not a lie. He didn't try to switch the narrative or try to gatekeep that I was playing. I texted him at the last minute that I wanted an individual workout, I wanted to try to practice and I wanted to see how [my shoulder] felt. I had a great [individual workout] and had a great practice. From there, it built on to the game. I just liked the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, so the rest kind of took care of itself.”
On playing for Coach Pitino…
“I mean, for me, I have never played in the [NCAA] Tournament. So, just to have that opportunity and know it’s in front of us, I'm blessed and honored to play for [Coach Pitino] and be in a situation where I am winning, having fun and everything's being noticed. So, I'm just taking everything day-by-day and game-by-game. I’m enjoying the moment.”
On the excitement for the team in New York City…
“From the starting lineups, where everybody's cheering ‘Zuby’, or to me checking in and getting a standing ovation in The Garden, that's something I’ll remember forever. Just playing in front of sold-out crowds and hearing everybody scream and cheer for us and taking hundreds of pictures after the games, It's an amazing feeling. I'm sure every one of the guys is just super happy and proud of their hard work just watching everything unfold.”
On the process leading up to playing in Sunday’s game against Creighton…
“Even the practice leading up to Sunday, I felt super comfortable. I was able to hit a lot of shots and just kind of get over that hump, like the mental part of just seeing a ball go in and feeling comfortable again. So, even before Sunday's game, Saturday's practice, I had a really, really good practice for my first time practicing since sometime after that UConn game. I was just super comfortable and I was able to see some shots go in and feel good.”
On being motivated to come back by the team winning…
“It was definitely motivating. I mean, for me as a player, watching my team win and the success we're having this season, just watching all the fun, I definitely didn't want to miss out on it. I know I could contribute in multiple ways and watching that Villanova game was super hard, because I know we should have won that, so I told [Coach Pitino] ‘I'll get through it. I'll get through the mental part, and I'm okay with whatever comes with it, whether I have a bad game, a good game.’ Because I'm sure I could do two to three good things that could change the pace of the game or change momentum. So, I just told him about sacrifice, sacrifice for the team, just to win and be a part of this success.”
On if he takes it as motivation by Coach Pitino…
“I definitely do, even early on in the season, we had a little back and forth, and I didn't really take anything personally. I think everything he says is motivational because he's seen so much, he's done so much, so I kind of just take it for what it is. And, you know, just work on me and improve. Just get in the training room and be ready to go.”
On staying focused each game through this winning stretch…
“Each and every game we play, [Coach Pitino] tells us it’s the biggest game of the season, just because we do have the target on our back being in that number one spot. So, we're going to get each and everybody's best shot because beating us can change the narrative for a lot of teams.”
On the remaining games in the season…
“I want to win all of them. I want to be happy at the end of it and just build some momentum for the [NCAA] Tournament. I haven't played in the tournament or have been in a position to win before. So, I just want to take advantage of each and every opportunity and every game. I want to show my talent and my God-given ability and have fun.”
On being able to play in Sunday’s game…
“I had a really great practice. I texted Coach Pitino when I was ruled out. I swear this is not a lie. He didn't try to switch the narrative or try to gatekeep that I was playing. I texted him at the last minute that I wanted an individual workout, I wanted to try to practice and I wanted to see how [my shoulder] felt. I had a great [individual workout] and had a great practice. From there, it built on to the game. I just liked the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, so the rest kind of took care of itself.”
On playing for Coach Pitino…
“I mean, for me, I have never played in the [NCAA] Tournament. So, just to have that opportunity and know it’s in front of us, I'm blessed and honored to play for [Coach Pitino] and be in a situation where I am winning, having fun and everything's being noticed. So, I'm just taking everything day-by-day and game-by-game. I’m enjoying the moment.”
On the excitement for the team in New York City…
“From the starting lineups, where everybody's cheering ‘Zuby’, or to me checking in and getting a standing ovation in The Garden, that's something I’ll remember forever. Just playing in front of sold-out crowds and hearing everybody scream and cheer for us and taking hundreds of pictures after the games, It's an amazing feeling. I'm sure every one of the guys is just super happy and proud of their hard work just watching everything unfold.”