Indiana University Athletics
Yogi Ferrell Interview from adidas Nations
8/20/2015 7:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana senior Kevin Yogi Ferrell recently joined teammates junior Troy Williams and freshman Thomas Bryant at the adidas Nations event in Los Angeles. There, he took time to talk to DraftExpress.com about the event as well as what he's looking for heading into his senior season.
On how his trip to Los Angeles for adidas Nations has been:
"Man, it's treating me well. Just to be able to come out here to L.A. with some of my teammates and get to know some of the other college guys has been great. I've been able to learn a lot of things from these coaches, so it's been a great experience."
On his mindset coming into the event:
"My mindset was to just go out here and show my talent, show what I can do on the court, and go out there and make new connections with these other college players."
On trying to get other guys involved while also scoring when it's available:
"That is where you just have to mix it up. You know, some guys come here and are going to be selfish off the bat. But once they get in the flow of things, they know they cannot do it by themselves. So you just have to make them happy first and then I can showcase what I can do. So that is what I am trying to do when I get on the court."
On his potential role for the Hoosiers this season:
"My role is going to be the veteran senior leader, basically. I have been there going on my fourth year, so I know exactly how Coach Crean wants it. I know it down to the letter. So the guys are just going to have to listen to me, I am going to take them under my wing, and just be a rock."
On how this year might be different from past seasons at Indiana:
"In years past we weren't pre-season favorites, now we are top 25. My freshman year we were number 1, now being top 25 my last year we kind of have a little bullseye on our back. So, all we can do is not worry about all of that, not worry about the hype, not worry what everyone else is saying about us, and just go out there and play how we can play."
On his summer of development:
"I have had a great summer. We just got done with summer school like two days ago. I took a trip out here, but this summer has just been straight work with my teammates, getting to know the freshman and transfers, and setting the plays in. I have just been working out a lot."
On what he can improve upon this season:
"What I need to improve on it mixing my game up. Trying to be a facilitator and a scorer at the same time. I just need to go out there and show that I can be a winning point guard, basically. I think that is the main thing that these people in the NBA want to see, somebody who can win, so that is the main thing. I am going to do everything I can to get my shot right, my passing and my decision-making so I can become a winning guy."
On proving that his height doesn't prohibit him:
"What I have to prove to them is that I can be a lockdown defender. So I am trying to pickup the ball full court, just trying to show these guys I can defend at a high level. So that's the main thing. I have to average two or three steals a game just to let them know I am there defensively. So that is just the main thing. I need to get my strength up, especially at the size that I am at. So I would have to say that I have to be there defensively and add strength."
When he looks back on it, what will he take away from playing for Coach Crean at Indiana:
"The biggest thing that will stick with me is the work ethic. That basically goes hand-in-hand with the dreams you want to do. But at Indiana we work every single day. Something that stuck with me is how he says to do something daily to go further in life or become a better person. Whether that is going to church, doing something in school or doing something in basketball. Be a 365-day guy and perfect yourself or perfect your craft."
On playing for a prestigious program like Indiana:
"It is a little bit of pressure, but we know at the same time Indiana fans have been there when it is great, and they have been there during the dark days. So, we know what the fans want. They want it just as bad as us, basically. We know we are going to have the fans behind our backs 100 percent. We know Indiana is a winning school. We are just trying to bring that winning history back to Indiana."
On how his trip to Los Angeles for adidas Nations has been:
"Man, it's treating me well. Just to be able to come out here to L.A. with some of my teammates and get to know some of the other college guys has been great. I've been able to learn a lot of things from these coaches, so it's been a great experience."
On his mindset coming into the event:
"My mindset was to just go out here and show my talent, show what I can do on the court, and go out there and make new connections with these other college players."
On trying to get other guys involved while also scoring when it's available:
"That is where you just have to mix it up. You know, some guys come here and are going to be selfish off the bat. But once they get in the flow of things, they know they cannot do it by themselves. So you just have to make them happy first and then I can showcase what I can do. So that is what I am trying to do when I get on the court."
On his potential role for the Hoosiers this season:
"My role is going to be the veteran senior leader, basically. I have been there going on my fourth year, so I know exactly how Coach Crean wants it. I know it down to the letter. So the guys are just going to have to listen to me, I am going to take them under my wing, and just be a rock."
On how this year might be different from past seasons at Indiana:
"In years past we weren't pre-season favorites, now we are top 25. My freshman year we were number 1, now being top 25 my last year we kind of have a little bullseye on our back. So, all we can do is not worry about all of that, not worry about the hype, not worry what everyone else is saying about us, and just go out there and play how we can play."
On his summer of development:
"I have had a great summer. We just got done with summer school like two days ago. I took a trip out here, but this summer has just been straight work with my teammates, getting to know the freshman and transfers, and setting the plays in. I have just been working out a lot."
On what he can improve upon this season:
"What I need to improve on it mixing my game up. Trying to be a facilitator and a scorer at the same time. I just need to go out there and show that I can be a winning point guard, basically. I think that is the main thing that these people in the NBA want to see, somebody who can win, so that is the main thing. I am going to do everything I can to get my shot right, my passing and my decision-making so I can become a winning guy."
On proving that his height doesn't prohibit him:
"What I have to prove to them is that I can be a lockdown defender. So I am trying to pickup the ball full court, just trying to show these guys I can defend at a high level. So that's the main thing. I have to average two or three steals a game just to let them know I am there defensively. So that is just the main thing. I need to get my strength up, especially at the size that I am at. So I would have to say that I have to be there defensively and add strength."
When he looks back on it, what will he take away from playing for Coach Crean at Indiana:
"The biggest thing that will stick with me is the work ethic. That basically goes hand-in-hand with the dreams you want to do. But at Indiana we work every single day. Something that stuck with me is how he says to do something daily to go further in life or become a better person. Whether that is going to church, doing something in school or doing something in basketball. Be a 365-day guy and perfect yourself or perfect your craft."
On playing for a prestigious program like Indiana:
"It is a little bit of pressure, but we know at the same time Indiana fans have been there when it is great, and they have been there during the dark days. So, we know what the fans want. They want it just as bad as us, basically. We know we are going to have the fans behind our backs 100 percent. We know Indiana is a winning school. We are just trying to bring that winning history back to Indiana."
Players Mentioned
Guard
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