Tennessee basketball freshman wing Ralph Scott met with the media earlier this week in his first formal press conference since arriving in Knoxville.
Scott discussed becoming more aggressive offensively, his welcome to college basketball moment and much more. Here’s everything Scott said.
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On what the first six weeks at Tennessee have been like
“It’s been really good. I’m getting used to the team. Getting used to the system and how we play, style of play. It’s a lot to get used to but really enjoying it and appreciating the opportunity.”
On where he feels like he’s already made lots of improvement
“I feel like conditioning wise— Coach Barnes, he’s going to make you run. He’s going to make you play defense. I feel like that’s been a big thing I’ve worked on but also the little things. Defensively, I feel like I’m guarding the ball better. I feel like I’m shooting the ball better on offense and that sort of thing.”
On his welcome to college moment
“My welcome to college moment was definitely some sprints after practice. I want to say 2-3 weeks ago. First time in a while that I’ve thrown up after a practice but that was my welcome to college moment.”
On how he would describe a Rick Barnes practice
“I’d say that we compete a lot. We do a lot of skill work at the start but once it gets really into it, we compete. We go after each other. I’d say that’s where he sees us getting better. Going against each other all the time.”
On how different living Tennessee is compared to Florida
“These last couple weeks it’s been raining a lot. We didn’t really get that as much in Florida. Other than that, I’m liking it. I’m liking the sunny weather and all the trees— I like that for sure.”
On where he sees his ceiling as a player
“I’d say for me, I’m not totally sure yet what my ceiling is but I know that I’m going to work, put as much as I can into being as good as I can be. Obviously, I want to be a great player. I want to be SEC Player of the Year, whatever I can get to be a great player, but I don’t know right now. But I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there.”
On Gregg Polinsky saying they want Scott to stop deferring to others, what that process has been like
“It’s been big. The first couple weeks I was a little nervous, a little getting used to such high level guys all the time. The fact that they have the confidence in me and want me to show what I’m capable of means a lot to me. Just taking their advice, being more confident and more assertive. Do what I know I can do.”
On if he’s naturally a person that defers to others
“I wouldn’t really say I naturally defer. I think on the court, I play with a lot of really good players. I think I’ve just developed that habit but they’re telling me I’ve got to get rid of it, so I’m going to do what I’m told.”
On what position he is playing the most and what role he sees himself having
“Right now, I’m like a two/three (guard). Guarding the ball. Shooting the ball. Getting shots in our offense. I feel like my job is just to bring energy when I get on the court. Play hard defense. Score the ball when I can and just play how Coach (Barnes) wants us to play.”
On if he played the two and three guard spots a lot in high school
“Yes sir. I was on a very big team.”
On what he’s learned from Troy Henderson and DeWayne Brown having already spent a year in Tennessee’s system
“Big thing that they’ve told me is that it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I’ve got to take it day-by-day. I’ve got to keep working. You’re going to have good days and have bad days, but the more you keep pushing through it and focusing on the end goal of being the best player you can be— that’s where you see success.”
On what he likes about Tennessee’s freshman class
“I love the guys. We all compete. We all, I think each one of us, wants to be great. Not in our own way but we want to be great players. I feel like we get on each other. We hold each other accountable and we have a close relationship.”
On why he came to Tennessee
“Definitely development. My top four was Houston, Purdue, Tennessee and Texas A&M but every coach, they’re going to push their players hard. They’re going to develop players. I feel like Tennessee did that the best so I had to come here.”
