Question: What did you get out of practicing with the Dominican Republic National Team this summer?
Answer: (I saw) the leadership they had, how they built unity.
Q: What did it mean to you to play for your home country, at least in training camp?
A: It means a lot. For my family and my city. I was the only one from my city to practice. Everyone in my city was proud of me.
Q: What was it like to compete against NBA players like Al Horford and Francisco Garcia?
A: Those guys are kind of big and quick. It's a lot different from college guys.
Q: In particular, what about going against Horford?
A: Coach Cal always put me in against him. Why I went to Florida was because of him (Horford). He's telling me what to do and making sure I'm doing the right thing.
Q: Why do you think John Calipari cut you from the team?
A: He would not put me in there (on the team) to sit the bench. I was behind some NBA guys. That's why it was.
Q: What did you think when Calipari was named the Dominican Republic coach?
A: I have to deal with Coach Cal again. He talked to me before everything happened. So I can learn more of the system.
Q: How did the experience help you improve?
A: Being more physical. It told me I have to be more physical. So it was a good experience for me.
Q: Did you change at all physically?
A: I gained some weight. I just have to be more physical. Not just physical, but (also more) mental toughness.
Q: What do you mean by gaining more mental toughness?
A: You have to push yourself at the end of games.
Q: What did you learn from last season's example set by Josh Harrellson, who went from the butt of John Calipari's wisecracks to indispensable contributor?
A: To keep pushing and have confidence in myself. That and dedication can take you places.
Question: What did you get out of practicing with the Dominican Republic National Team this summer?
Answer: (I saw) the leadership they had, how they built unity.
Q: What did it mean to you to play for your home country, at least in training camp?
A: It means a lot. For my family and my city. I was the only one from my city to practice. Everyone in my city was proud of me.
Q: What was it like to compete against NBA players like Al Horford and Francisco Garcia?
A: Those guys are kind of big and quick. It's a lot different from college guys.
Q: In particular, what about going against Horford?
A: Coach Cal always put me in against him. Why I went to Florida was because of him (Horford). He's telling me what to do and making sure I'm doing the right thing.
Q: Why do you think John Calipari cut you from the team?
A: He would not put me in there (on the team) to sit the bench. I was behind some NBA guys. That's why it was.
Q: What did you think when Calipari was named the Dominican Republic coach?
A: I have to deal with Coach Cal again. He talked to me before everything happened. So I can learn more of the system.
Q: How did the experience help you improve?
A: Being more physical. It told me I have to be more physical. So it was a good experience for me.
Q: Did you change at all physically?
A: I gained some weight. I just have to be more physical. Not just physical, but (also more) mental toughness.
Q: What do you mean by gaining more mental toughness?
A: You have to push yourself at the end of games.
Q: What did you learn from last season's example set by Josh Harrellson, who went from the butt of John Calipari's wisecracks to indispensable contributor?
A: To keep pushing and have confidence in myself. That and dedication can take you places.
