Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Hopkins held his annual preseason media day press conference today on Montlake via Zoom, to talk about the state of his basketball team while navigating the pandemic. He also took the time to discuss the new offense they are installing and also the identity of the team so far this early into the season. Hopkins was also joined by junior forward J’Raan Brooks, junior guard Jamal Bey and junior guard Quade Green. Together, they spoke about how the pandemic has made them tougher mentally and the essential aspects of the new offense. Green spoke at length about his situation from last year and how he has grown and learned from it.
Here are things of note that were said…..
MIKE HOPKINS (Head Coach)
Washington Men’s head basketball coach Mike Hopkins said, “there have been some challenges but we have gotten better each day.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “Hopefully he can come back but if not it will be a huge loss for us,” when talking about the suspension of senior guard Nahziah Carter.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “we are still in the process of waiting for one,” when discussing waivers.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said assistant coach Cameron Dollar has done a great job with the schedule.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “he has taken a negative and made it into a positive,” about junior guard Quade Green.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said they have a new offense this year that revolves around playing faster and with great spacing.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said, “Really high on him. I think he is going to have a great year,” when talking about junior forward J’Raan Brooks.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said, “he is like a coach on the floor,” when talking about junior guard Nate Pryor.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said, “he is a proven player in our system,” about sophomore guard Marcus Tsohonis.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “we have grown a lot and learned a lot in so many different areas,” with regards to this pandemic phase.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said senior forward Hameir Wright “is a great leader” for the team.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said, “we have been more regional for sure” when talking about constructing non-conference games.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “we will be figuring out who our top eight or nine are rotation wise.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I feel like we can rely on our defense,” Hopkins said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said “we definitely have had our ups and downs” when discussing his team offensively this past year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“The thing I like about this team is our versatility,” Hopkins said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins keeps talking about trying to improve shooting the basketball better this season.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“To be able to see your son each day is a blessing,” Hopkins said about his son at practice (freshman guard Griff Hopkins).@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said with daily rapid testing, the medical staff has done a tremendous job of keeping them safe.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “Everybody on the roster gets an extra year. That’s incredible!” when discussing recruiting during the pandemic.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“The biggest weapon in the game is the three-point line,” Hopkins said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“Our pace, our space and then you have to share,” Hopkins said about the offense.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“Toughness means being disciplined on the game plan,” Hopkins said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Coach Hopkins said, “Last year there was too much questioning,” when talking about playing man-to-man or zone defense.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Hopkins said, “we didn’t defend the three well last year.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“The identity is always going to be the zone,” Hopkins said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
J’RAAN BROOKS (Junior Forward)
Washington junior forward J’Raan Brooks said, “getting back in the rhythm of things,” has been challenging.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said, “being back here and being surrounded by a bunch of gym rats has been great.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks points to his “versatility” as a way he can help the team this year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said, “just meeting a bunch of people who have come through here,” was an aspect of choosing to transfer to Washington from USC.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said expansion of his game includes moving out to the three-point line and shooting the basketball.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said halfway through the season he knew that he wanted to transfer from USC to another school.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I’m glad we did that,” Brooks said about switching to a new offense this year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I think we are starting to build chemistry early,” Brooks said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said he is studying American Ethnic Studies and wants to focus on African American Studies.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Brooks said, “I didn’t stay honestly because I wanted to get out and try something new,” when asked about why he didn’t choose Washington the first time.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
JAMAL BEY (Junior Guard)
Washington junior guard Jamal Bey said, “this year we are more guard-oriented,” on offense.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Bey said the new transfers are looking really good so far.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Bey said, “playing off the ball” is more of his role this year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I’m a winner, I love to win!” Bey said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Bey describes the identity of the team as “relentless” and a “chip on their shoulder” mentality.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Bey said, “we are not going to rely so much on talent,” when discussing how this year’s team is different than last year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Bey said he wants to be more of a “vocal leader” this season.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
QUADE GREEN (Junior Guard)
Washington junior guard Quade Green said, “having a bulletproof mind” is how he is getting through everything.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Green said, “I messed up last year.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I want to be the best point guard in the country by the end of the season,” Green said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Green said, “of course you got down on yourself when it first happened,” when talking about his situation last year.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I let the team down badly last year. I’ve never been that low before,” Green said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I was beating myself up every day,” Green said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I had to learn how to listen,” Green said when first getting to college and learning the position.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I’m more mature now!” Green said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“Our 2-3 is better than last year,” Green said in regards to the defense.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“This whole pandemic thing has been a learning experience for the team,” Green said.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
“I had to break myself down to build myself back up,” Green said about last season.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Quade Green sounds very resolute and optimistic about the upcoming season ahead.@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
Green said, “the pandemic has caused us to get more confident with ourselves.”@DubLifeUW #PurpleReign#TougherTogether#DubLife
— Jeff Wright (@jdub2379) October 26, 2020
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