Spoke with Bruce Pearl via Zoom this morning...
** Pearl opened talking about a new musical he saw and is now supporting, We'll Meet Again, about a family that escaped Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, and settled in Opelika, Ala. Pearl had a lot of very positive things to say about the musical and encouraged everyone to see it.
www.eastalabamaarts.org
** Pearl also had former player Patrick Keim on to talk about Unite Auburn.
** Have 12 players on scholarship. May keep one open through mid-semester. If they don't add a transfer, the may give it to one of the walk-ons.
** Aden Holloway shoots probably better than other freshman point guards we've had. One of our hardest workers. Total gym rat. In a great competition with Tre Donaldson, who finished the season very strong.
** Because both Holloway and Donaldson can shoot, they can play on the floor together.
** Denver Jones will likely replace Zep Jasper at the 2. Won't have a better on-ball defender than Zep. We will be better offensively. Denver is a candidate to be one of the top 1-3 scorers. Great shooter, can finish through contact. Denver is a hard worker.
** Our transfers were not as heralded as a lot of transfers. I think they are all going to be a little better than how they were ranked. Hardest working group he's had in 10 seasons at Auburn. Normally, you've got 2-3 guys, he's got 7-8 working at a high level. We had a great offseason of player development.
** Toughest position to find right fit was at the 3 and replacing Allen Flanigan. Took Chad Baker-Mazara there. He's really good. He's 6-7 but about 185. A little light in the ass, got to continue to get him bigger and stronger. Had a good summer. He can shoot and put it o floor. He knows how to play, high basketball IQ.
** Chaney Johnson was one of the best players in D-II basketball. He's now 6-7, one of best athletes on team. He's another gym rat. He's going to have another breakout season. He is in a great competition with Jaylin Williams at the 4. It's possible one of those guys could move. Chaney can shoot, put ball on floor and guard multiple positions.
** Addarin Scott was a late addition. Never believed in over recruiting and didn't want to bring in a starter-type player. We went with a prospect with upside. He can shoot and move well. He's going to provide great depth and get better really, really fast.
** Corey Williams' son, CJ Williams, has walked on. Can help out.
** Pearl is very excited about schedule. Very tough. Excited about playing in Huntsville. You have to play a tough schedule if you want to get in the NCAA Tournament.
** KD Johnson had best spring and early summer that he's had. Trying to get him to go from good to great. Jaylin has been more aggressive, had great summer. Johni Broome has worked hard on defense, mobility, getting better. Working on Dylan Cardwell on being more effective offensively. Chris Moore is just now returning from shoulder injury. Donaldson had great summer. Provided great leadership while also trying to beat out Holloway.
** Our great strength is our depth.
** We've brought in great people.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Pearl opened talking about a new musical he saw and is now supporting, We'll Meet Again, about a family that escaped Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, and settled in Opelika, Ala. Pearl had a lot of very positive things to say about the musical and encouraged everyone to see it.
Other Events — East Alabama Arts
www.eastalabamaarts.org
** Pearl also had former player Patrick Keim on to talk about Unite Auburn.
** Have 12 players on scholarship. May keep one open through mid-semester. If they don't add a transfer, the may give it to one of the walk-ons.
** Aden Holloway shoots probably better than other freshman point guards we've had. One of our hardest workers. Total gym rat. In a great competition with Tre Donaldson, who finished the season very strong.
** Because both Holloway and Donaldson can shoot, they can play on the floor together.
** Denver Jones will likely replace Zep Jasper at the 2. Won't have a better on-ball defender than Zep. We will be better offensively. Denver is a candidate to be one of the top 1-3 scorers. Great shooter, can finish through contact. Denver is a hard worker.
** Our transfers were not as heralded as a lot of transfers. I think they are all going to be a little better than how they were ranked. Hardest working group he's had in 10 seasons at Auburn. Normally, you've got 2-3 guys, he's got 7-8 working at a high level. We had a great offseason of player development.
** Toughest position to find right fit was at the 3 and replacing Allen Flanigan. Took Chad Baker-Mazara there. He's really good. He's 6-7 but about 185. A little light in the ass, got to continue to get him bigger and stronger. Had a good summer. He can shoot and put it o floor. He knows how to play, high basketball IQ.
** Chaney Johnson was one of the best players in D-II basketball. He's now 6-7, one of best athletes on team. He's another gym rat. He's going to have another breakout season. He is in a great competition with Jaylin Williams at the 4. It's possible one of those guys could move. Chaney can shoot, put ball on floor and guard multiple positions.
** Addarin Scott was a late addition. Never believed in over recruiting and didn't want to bring in a starter-type player. We went with a prospect with upside. He can shoot and move well. He's going to provide great depth and get better really, really fast.
** Corey Williams' son, CJ Williams, has walked on. Can help out.
** Pearl is very excited about schedule. Very tough. Excited about playing in Huntsville. You have to play a tough schedule if you want to get in the NCAA Tournament.
** KD Johnson had best spring and early summer that he's had. Trying to get him to go from good to great. Jaylin has been more aggressive, had great summer. Johni Broome has worked hard on defense, mobility, getting better. Working on Dylan Cardwell on being more effective offensively. Chris Moore is just now returning from shoulder injury. Donaldson had great summer. Provided great leadership while also trying to beat out Holloway.
** Our great strength is our depth.
** We've brought in great people.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
