Media Availability: Head Coach Brian Keefe, Will Riley and Justin Champagnie | 10.4.25

Media Availability: Head Coach Brian Keefe, Will Riley and Justin Champagnie | 10.4.25

Usually this is the time of year you would do this. We would have um inner squad type of stuff but we were able to bring in NBA refs which is the first time which is a great program they started. So we were able to and we’re very lucky because we have the use of our care first arena to make it look like a real game. Usually we would just do these things in our practice gym like this. Um so we were able to recreate as much as a game as possible and it was great. You said a program they started that’s the referees NBA. Yeah. So like uh they were able to go in the within the first week of the season and uh come like uh be at your practices to ref you know talk about some rules and different things like that never really had ever been done before. So it was it was great really terrific. This is the first year of that program. First year. The benefit of being able to have the officials here who are working within the confines of the league rules. How beneficial is that for the players especially the younger ones to get clarity on anything? great to get clarity but also to build relationships to you know these refs are human beings like introduce yourself hey um such and such you know a lot of guys in our team are younger so then vice versa the refs get to know our players I think it was terrific we had some discussions about some rules but it was also the professionalism that they brought just leveled up how our game like our experience it wasn’t me refing out there which can be atrocious at times how’ you just how’d you go about splitting up the teams for the scrimmage just picked them out of a I’m kidding. Um, we just we’ve been changing up lineups and different things, so we just been looking at different things. No rhyme or reason to it, but just seeing combinations and stuff. That’s it. Sounds like it was a very close game. Um, did that give you guys an opportunity to Yeah, it was great to see situations and, you know, all these end of game stuff. You know, I’m not going to give away all the tactics we used, but it was great. We got put in a lot of them. Stuff we can review and learn from. I thought our guys actually handled the situations really well. Um, so it was good with coming out of the scrimmage today. Um, and we needed, you know, you need to get a game play just to just to get the game conditioning getting up and down. Um, a chance to see where we’re at and, you know, had four or five. I think that was our fifth or sixth practice there. So, just kind of gauge where we’re at this time of the year. So, stuff to learn, stuff to get better at, but positive day. Did you coach or did you take a step back? I was like in GM mode today. What was that experience like? I won. I was going to win either way, right? So, that was the best part. Whoever team won, it was a great day for me. So, um it was good just to sit back and observe. And I’ve got great I got a great staff. Um so, they they did an unbelievable job today that making this thing look organized, super professional. It was very well prepared and gave everybody experience to do some stuff. And I got to sit back and observe and watch. and a little unusual for me, but I think it was actually good in the in the long haul. Does that give you a different perspective now when you go into your next practice of kind of what guys have done, how you can maybe change up the rotations again and see different things, but also give yourself a viewpoint of trying to figure out this roster and what you want it to look like. For sure. I I could take a step back and look at it from a different lens, see how we’re doing stylistically, how we’re playing, you know, obviously our own individual players, but um it’ll help for my next part of planning for sure. Who did coach the teams? Uh everybody except for me. How’s that? Fair enough. Narrows it down. I’m curious when you go about more in a theoretical sense going about creating rotations. Do NBA coaches usually plan it as like specific minutes or is it more general ranges of the game wanting to approach different lineups? I think everybody has their different ways and different things. I I’m more pretty specific on what we’re doing when guys are coming in and out, but everybody has their own style to it. Is it as specific as when we hit the six-minute mark of the second quarter, I want so-and- so coming in there? Generally, you can’t always get it exactly because, you know, maybe there’s not a it’s live play, there’s not a dead ball, but generally it’s pretty detailed for sure. And then how do you approach in season in the regular season adjusting rotations game to game trying to play matchups but also want to give guys some consistency in the rules? Um some of it’s you know it’s a lot of things that go into all that as you guys know. Um some of it’s availability, who do you have? So things can change quickly. You got to be open as a head coach in this league because things can change fast. But yeah, we generally like to have a plan but sometimes those plans go out the window. Maybe somebody gets into foul trouble and you got to have someone ready to go. So there’s always different things you got to be prepared for. We’re prepared for all of it. Um, we take that very seriously, but there’s a lot into that. It was good. It was good to like, you know, get a feel of like what it’s like like a live action game. It’s been a while since summer league. Obviously got hurt with the thumb, so it was a good feel. Yeah. Who are you playing with? Uh, what do you mean? Like who’s on your team? Oh, yeah. We had Bub, Trey, uh, we got JC, Chris, we got a bunch of those guys. Marvin. Yeah. Being able to get up and down the floor. um and not it not it being a structured type of practice. How good did it feel to be able to just feel like you were playing a game again even though you guys were still working on a lot of things? Yeah. Uh it felt very free flowing. Uh felt like I could, you know, just play my game, you know, just go up and down, do what I do, and I feel like it was good for our team to like get a connection and feel how it is like how we’re going to play. A few guys have said the speed with which and pace that Bub plays with trying to get ahead of him when he has it in the fast break. um is something they’ve been adjusting to. Did you feel now that you got to do it in a game situation, you kind of understand his cadence and how he how you can get up the floor with him? Yeah, I feel like that’s one thing that uh me and Bub do really good with each other. I feel like I’m very good at running the floor. So, I feel like we’ve had that connection early where he’s hit me on a lot of like open layups just from running basically. So, he’s really good at running the floor, really good at pushing the pace and you know, it’s almost certain that you know that’s always going to be a connection with us. How different um media you talked about the way that you’re able to rebound in the the passion you have for rebounding offensively or defensively. How different was it now being able to see it in game speed like versus in the drills you’ve been working on? I’d say I’d say it’s pretty different, you know, just in drills like guys are more stagnant. But I feel like in game it’s a lot easier to get a lot of them just because everyone’s always moving, everyone’s always flowing. So you can get a lot of like quick easy ones like especially on the offensive end. But yeah, no, I just I wouldn’t even say mainly if I said uh I’d look forward to rebounding. I feel like I just look forward to playing with energy, you know what I mean? Just being an energy guy, just bringing bringing my 100% every single possession. I feel like Yeah. Similar to that, your teammates have said extremely hard in camp so far. Um what’s your reaction to them saying that and kind of how would you describe your appro your approach? Uh I mean I I I appreciate them for saying that. Uh feel like I’m just playing hard because they’re pushing me to play hard, you know? So, it’s it’s all them and, you know, I feel like, you know, we’re all making each other better, so that’s good. But, do you feel like that’s important for you to kind of set a tone as you’re just starting out? Yeah, I feel like as a rookie, you know, it’s it’s not cool to like, you know, have your cool guy hat on and just, you know, just come in like you’re you’re something you’re not. I feel like you got to really show them and just show them you’re not going to stand out or you’re not going to stand down and you just got to keep going. Your first training camp, what do you feel like you took away overall? Um, I feel like it was really good to like build chemistry with all these guys. Uh, just, you know, get in shape, get ready for the season, jump the season, and, you know, just build a connection and grow together. I feel like it’s really important for the training camp. What’s it like trying to, uh, you know, earn a spot in the rotation at maybe the deepest part of the roster with a bunch of wings? Um, I feel like, you know, just competing, just playing my game, uh, showing that I could do a bunch of different things. Uh, you know, just shoot, rebound, play defense. I feel like that’s my biggest key factor that I’m really working on is my defense getting stronger. Uh yeah, just showing I can do a bunch of different things. How beneficial was it um within the scrimmage to not only have true NBA officials to know kind of how they’re going to officiate the game, but then be able to ask them questions, especially as a rookie following that to get some clarity on anything. Yeah, I feel like it’s important um especially as a rookie to introduce yourself to them. Uh ask them questions about stuff you didn’t know. Like I learned a lot. We talked to them after and I asked some questions and you know you just learn a lot of different things that you had no idea about. So it was it was really beneficial for me at least. Was there anything specific that you the clarity that you got? Yeah. Uh just different stuff on like I like to crash the boards a lot. So I asked about that. Uh different guys like to bump when you’re crashing. Just what region area you know it’s a foul or how you play guys in the post. Just different things like that. I asked and you know got some good answers. So, with the refs, what what do they kind of tell you about what regions you’re able to get away with and what it comes out? Um, yeah, just like they just told us different things like you’re playing in the post, like if you’re allowed to have two hands on them or not. Just different regions like in the defensive box if you’re allowed to or not. And what I said with like the crashing, like just getting bumped off your spot when you’re crashing, especially like a skinny guy like me, you know, I’m going to obviously gain weight as more time comes, but you know, they’re not going to give me as much calls as like they usually would for a stronger guy because they know, you know, I’m going to be easier to bump up. You guys have two vets on the team, Chris and CJ. Two older bets, I should say. Um, a lot of guys have talked about the advice that they’ve tried to seek from them. Have you tried to do so as well? If so, what has been helpful? Yeah. Um, honestly, great vets. They’ll anything you come to them with, uh, they’re going to answer for you. And they’re just great guys off the court as well. Like they’re always, you know, with us talking to us. They’re not they’re not trying to, you know, they’re not trying to make us feel like rookies too much, but, you know, like, you know, they’re really great vets and, you know, anything I have to ask them, they always answer really good. What’s the question you asked them that got the best response? Um, I’ve asked a lot of things, especially Chris. I feel like same size kind of. So, like uh just asking him how how he’s been able to stay in the league so long, just different type of stuff like that. Just the answers he’s given me have just been been great answers, honestly. Anything specific that you said that stood out to you? Um, honestly, just being coachable is probably the main thing he said, which I really appreciate. Know there’s going to be adjustment curve as the season goes along, but what are the things that you’re looking for with yourself as kind of a measuring stick for your rookie season? Can you repeat that? I’m sorry. Yeah, there’s gonna be a lot of adjustment obviously going into the NBA, but what are the things that you’re looking at early in your career, rookie season as a measuring stick? Yeah. Uh, honestly, biggest adjustment for me is probably my size. Like just putting on weight. I feel like that’s what I’ve been working on. Uh, since I’ve been here, I put on 10 pounds of muscle already. So, like just keep uh, you know, obviously as the season is going to be harder, but just keeping on like uh, doing that and just keep looking forward to that. I feel like that’s going to be great for me. It was good. It was good. It was fun to get out there with the guys, uh, hoop a little bit. um see what everybody got and see, you know, where we can get better as a team. What do you guys What are you looking at as the things that you guys did well during the scrimmage? What do you think of the areas? Uh I think we um we got along pretty well like the camaraderie of the team is uh really well. Um guys are able to talk to each other and um kind of help each other out, get to where we got to be and stuff like that. Uh things we need to work on, I think just more communication on defense and um just continue like being dogs and getting out there and getting after it on defense every possession. Who’s on your Who was on the other team? Uh, my team was me, Will, VJ, uh, Trey, Bug, Bags, AK, Sheree, and, um, I want to say that was it. And then every other team was everybody else pretty much. Yeah. Uh, red team won. Unfortunately, Key hit a very tough um, mage at the end of the game, so kudos to Key. I ain’t going to lie. Good shot. How valuable was it to sort of simulate the late game, close game situations? Uh, really valuable. Um, I feel like we’re trying to be in a lot more of those games and I think the only way to get the experience of how to handle that is by being in the situations. So, um, I think it was pretty good to kind of get an actual feel for how an actual game or actual rest would go and um, what all we can do in those positions. How beneficial um is that especially for the young guys with how many you have to put them in a simulation like that and kind of allow them to figure it out on both ends of the floor, not just at the end but throughout the entirety. I think it’s super super important. I mean um we haven’t even got to our first real game yet. Pretty sure these guys are a little nervous and excited at the same time. So getting out there with reps and you know obviously being in a comfortable environment with your teammates u makes it a little bit easier. But I think just knowing that um time, space, who’s on the floor with you, the rest you got, you know, you’re playing with and um all that’s all plays a part. I think it was good for them to kind of see and get a feel for how it actually pans out and goes in the game. The benefit as well too having the officials there. What does that allow especially for the communication of asking questions or getting clarity on anything? Um Will spoke about from for him the rebounding and like that mid post area of defending. Uh, I think it’s good for them to talk to the refs, kind of get to know them, let the refs know who you are as well, and um, just pick from their brains. Like, they’re not out there to do anything crazy. They’re out there to teach us the game, show us the ins and outs of it. And, uh, we really do appreciate them coming in here today and and honestly taking the time to speak to us and give us insight on how the year is about to go. Now that you had some time to work with CJ, what does he bring with his veteran leadership? Uh, CJ is is a very vocal leader. um let’s talk to the guys, especially the young guys kind of get him in the right spot and um he doesn’t really play around. He’s truly professional. Like he’s a truly professional player. And I think that that’s something the young guys can really attack like kind of not attack but kind of um how do you say kind of pick up on kind of his tendencies, how he works, how he approaches his work and stuff like that. So I think just him being around and him like giving us his insight on how many years he been in the league is it’s great for everybody in the gym. saw you guys uh went as a team to see a movie. Um what’s it like I guess what can a team bonding event like that do for you and what’s your review of the movie? Uh any team bonding event if you ask me is good. I’m all for that stuff. I think that guys getting together, going to grab dinner, going to see movies, even coming back in the gym at night time and just shooting together. I think that kind of stuff builds more team camaraderie and then when we’re in tough games, fourth quarter, late clock, you know, you kind of trust a guy beside you because you’ve been doing everything with him for the past three, four months. Um, the movie was really good. I’m hoping there’s a second one and I will be attending that for sure. Which movie was it? I forgot the name of the movie, but I know Tiana Taylor and um, DiCaprio were in it. What you like? There we go. One man. What happened, man? What’ you like? What I like? I’m not going to say what I liked about the movie, man. It was a good movie, though. You guys got to go watch it for yourselves and and y’all let me know what y’all liked about it. We watched what you like. It was great. Right. It was great. Um, I didn’t I liked how she she was there and then I forgot her name. Epiphany her name is and then she just Yeah. and then she just vanished out out of nowhere. I wish she would have came back. I’m hoping for the second one to come out and she comes back. So, yeah. What specifically did you work on this off season? What lab were you in? Who was there? Uh, same thing as always to be honest with me. I know my role. I know my niche in the NBA. U working on my shot, working on my defense. Um, conditioning obviously being able to go out there, play fast, grab rebounds, and kind of bring energy to the team. And uh as far as who I was working out with, I work out of Miami, but who I was with was just myself. To be honest, I don’t really get in the gym with too many people. Um I was here a lot as well in offseason with the team of course, but uh it’s pretty much it. The same stuff that I always worked on, I continue to work on, continue to try to just perfect it at a high level.

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