CT: Sit Down With Shaka Smart

[districtballer]

http://media.www.commonwealthtimes....rts/Sit-Down.With.Shaka.Smart-3824261.shtml#4

Q: I know you have been asked this question and will be asked it again: who is going to replace Eric Maynor at the point guard position?

A: Mike Rhodes (VCU assistant) is out of eligibility, but he is a phenomenal point guard. But Joey Rodriguez is doing a good job. He is learning and getting better at the position. If we had to play today he would be our starting point guard. Our two freshman point guards are also coming along. They're definitely freshman-that's been confirmed by the first four days of practice. But they are talented and they each bring something that will help our team, I think this year, which is good to know.

Q: Obviously to have Joey (Rodriguez) back is huge after almost losing him. What does it mean to this team to have him back?

A: There has been a lot of questions about that and we did not really recruit him to come back. We really put it on Joey to make the best decision for him. The only thing I told Joey is that the only way he can come back is with both feet in the circle. To his credit, he made that decision and he has done exactly that. He has worked hard, he has had a good attitude, and he's shown leadership capability. We're excited having Joey back because I think he is one of the toughest guys in this league and you can never have enough toughness.

Q: One thing that stood out last year was 6-4 to 6-6 guys: Ed Nixon, Brandon Rozzell and Bradford Burgess, etc. What has their development been like?

A: It has been very good. Those guys have been at VCU when a lot of winning has occurred and they have had a significant role in that winning. Now the question is, can they take that next step? And certainly with Eric Maynor moving on, you don't really look for one guy to step in and fill that void, in terms of the leadership he provided. But you look for several guys and certainly those three guys are candidates

Q: Talk about the new faces. You talked about the freshmen but also with Skeen and Gavin being able to join the team. What leadership have those guys been able to bring after playing at the division one level?

A: Jaime has done a good job. There is definitely no substitute for having played at the ACC level and playing a significant role. He will definitely help our team when he becomes elgible. The key is going to be him getting into good shape and getting an advanced feel of what we're trying to do.

 

[ram4life]

Good interview. The Commonwealth Times has some good talent in Taylor Howsmon.