Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey met with the media in Knoxville Monday for the first time since transferring to Tennessee from its instate rival back in the spring.
Much like when he talked to RTI following his commitment, Carey wasn’t shy about his feelings towards his previous school. Carey discussed the Tennessee-Vanderbilt games from last season, being Nate Ament’s enforcer and much more. Here’s everything Carey said.
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On if playing for Rick Barnes has matched his expectations
“It’s definitely what I thought it was going to be. It’s kind of just been amazing, really. Just getting that hard coaching. My first year really, ever getting it. So he’s been really, really the best thing that’s ever been for me. He’s been excelling me a lot, really on and off the floor. So I just love it.”
On what areas of his game he’s been working on this offseason
“Just getting in the best shape, really. That was our main focus coming into this year. Just making sure I’m in elite shape and everything’s gonna take care of itself. And then also just getting better at my shot. Improving my free throws, being able to hit, like I say, being able to hit my threes at a higher clip.”
On playing on the road at Tennessee last year, his expectations for this year
“It was a great experience playing here last year. Just like the fans and the atmosphere. Especially when y’all had or we (Tennessee) had went on that run last year against that other school (Vanderbilt). Yeah, the atmosphere got here was crazy, so I just knew I wanted to be a part of it and just the guys like the way they carry themselves. Felix, my guy now, just the way he talks, I’m starting to learn from him more so going to be fun for sure.”
On if he got Tennessee’s attention that game
“Yeah, most definitely. Both (games) really? Even the one at Vanderbilt or excuse me, that place. I don’t like that place, but that place. Like I said, it was a great experience. I love this place and can’t wait to do big things in the big orange.”
On if he had any knowledge of Rick Barnes’ from his brothers’ recruitment
“No, not really. Kind of just going into the portal this year. I just knew I wanted to be a part of something special going into my junior year, and it’s kind of crazy you ask that. When I was in my Zoom with Coach Barnes, like, I committed in my zoom. I had other Zooms set up after, but I knew I wanted to play for a legendary coach and someone I like to call a GOAT. So better than Coach K (who is brother played for) for sure.”
On what makes the Tennessee programs impact on him so significant so quickly
“Just the culture. The guys, they opened me up with open arms. Even though we kind of like battled it out last year. That was very welcoming and just the coaches. They believe in me and I believe in them, so that was just all I needed. And Coach Barnes, like I said, I wanted to play for a legendary coach and he’s proven it over and over that he could do and make great players. So I wanted to be a part of that for sure.”
On Barnes saying Carey brought a fire out of Felix Okpara last year
“No, I’m not trying to do that too much what I did to him in the game, but I remember I had shoulder checked him and he had hit it back. I like that he had it come back at me with it. So that showed that he got that fire in him, which we bring it out on the court and we go after each other every day. So we just know that we’re going to meet each other better. It’s going to work out in the long run for sure.”
On if anything about Coach Barnes has been different from what he expected
“No. What they say, it’s for sure like that. I enjoy it though, because growing up my dad’s kind of crazy, so it’s really nothing I’ve never seen, so I enjoy it. Kind of brings me a little bit of laughter, but it gets me fired up for sure. I love it.”
On Nate Ament
“That kid’s gonna be special. He’s like a baby Kevin Durant. I always tell him that I’m kind of like his bodyguard, I guess you could say. Whenever somebody’s bumping him around, I told him to let me know. Whenever you need, like on the floor if somebody hits you, just let me know. I got you. I want to take care of him because I know that kid’s gonna be real special, for sure.”
On Tennessee’s program allowing him to be himself
“That was also very important because Coach Barnes always told me when I got here, we want you to be. You want you to be that Florida kid that you are so I needed that. That’s something that boosted my confidence. I guess you could say so. For sure something good.”
