![]() ![]() “No injuries and everybody is eligible,” Mills said. I have an idea of how we might utilize these guys, but I think these scrimmages will help sort that out.”Īnd what will make for a successful trip in his mind? And then there are things we want to do offensively, but I don’t know yet because I’m not really sure about the package just yet. That’s what (this trip) will allow us to do and hopefully get into Phase 2 defensively. We’re still in Phase 1 and it probably takes six-to-eight weeks to feel comfortable with Phase 1. But I kind of look at this in three phases. “Defensively, there’s concepts we have to nail down. “You don’t want them doing too much thinking,” Mills said. Mills demands the middle of the floor be empty, preaching the wings to hug the sidelines to provide space for the ball handler and big man to operate. The tape provided a visual aid for players to instruct them where to run during fast breaks to properly space the floor. Mills mentioned the teams that WSU will play will also play other Division I teams during the summer months, so it will give the team a chance to see how they stack up against other competition.įor these early practices, Mills is more focused on teaching concepts and the style of basketball he wants the team to play, rather than try to install a myriad of offensive sets before the trip.įor instance, the court was covered in tape when the players arrived for Monday’s practice. My guess is Greece probably has some amazing food.”Īs for the competition, WSU has yet to release the game schedule for their Greece trip. I’m probably looking forward to eating the most. “I don’t really have a beach body, so that’s not really me,” Mills said. That’s exactly what Mills wanted to hear ahead of his first trip to the country. “The food,” Pohto said without hesitation. He said he took a vacation there last summer with friends. Pohto, a native of Sweden, might be the only player on the roster who has already been to Greece. “I want to go shopping a little bit, get in the sun a little.” “I know there’s a lot of history there and I’m excited to see some of the famous landmarks,” Rogers said. While the team will certainly be focused on basketball during the trip, there are several days planned where the team will be able to relax and do some sightseeing. It feels like it’s going to be a really good year.” I think their plan for this year and all of the stuff we’ve been working on, that’s what I’m looking forward to. They were talking to me every day, calling me every day. “The coaches really invested in me,” Pohto said. Pohto said he was particularly impressed by player development coach Iain Laymon, who trained with him at 6 a.m. He ultimately returned to WSU because of the dedication of Mills and the new coaching staff, which made retaining him a top priority when he was still in the transfer portal. I think it will be a good experience, play some pros, test where we’re at and go into the fall with a chip on our shoulder.”Īfter flirting with the transfer portal this offseason, Kenny Pohto returned for his third season with the Shockers in hopes of a bigger role - both in production and leadership. It gives us a head start in putting in our philosophies that we want to do as a team and it gives us a chance to build chemistry. “I’m excited to go to Greece and establish a rhythm, who we are as a team and an identity for ourselves. “A little anxious because it’s been a year since I’ve been on the court,” Rogers said. Rogers, who was among the nation’s top three-point shooters at Siena in the 2021-22 season, hasn’t played in a game since March 2022. Maybe none more so than Colby Rogers, who sat out last season at WSU as a second-time transfer. With so many newcomers, Mills suspects the team will have plenty of motivation for its three games against Greek professional teams. ![]() We’ll have something to compare to when everybody returns to school in August and September.” Whether we play well or don’t play well, the goal is to get better. I think what it does is light a fire to build toward the future and have something in the back of your mind. “I think the live competition, the officials, the lights, all of those things add to it. “Usually during the year you have to wait to play an exhibition game or play another Division I (team) to really get a feel,” Mills said before the team’s practice. Monday was the first chance for the coaches to conduct a practice closer to what the team will go through in September when the first practices of the season begin.įor a first-year coaching staff trying to transition six new players onto the roster, the 10 extra practices and three games the team will play in Greece are invaluable. Coaches have been able to work with players for a handful of hours during the summer before this week, but mostly in individual drills. ![]()
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