Kentucky Players
#3, Tyrese Maxey, Fr., G
On late-game situations …
“Just working on some different things. Coach Cal said he’s going to show us some stuff today. It’s really just on us trying to get open.”
On going back to Texas and whether he has people coming to the game …
“Some friends, some family. It’s kind of far from the crib, but my mom’s going to be there supporting me, which is always great.”
On Texas A&M’s physicality …
“I think we’re very physical with each other in practice. The practices, especially in the fall and the Thursday practices we have here. So, I think we’re ready for it.”
On the #PickNick and #PickQuick campaign …
“Pick ‘em. They deserve it. It’s funny that that rhymes: Pick Nick (Richards) and Quick (Immanuel Quickley). Testimony to their work. They both put in a lot of work and I’m proud of both of those two. I hope they get the accomplishments they deserve.”
On who gets top billing between the two …
“Pick both Nick and Quick. Or pick both. I don’t know how to say it. I’m just proud of both of them for playing well and hopefully—I feel like they can keep doing that. Like I said, hopefully they get the accomplishments they deserve.”
On whether they view Quickley as their go-to guy …
“Yeah, if we need him to. Whatever Coach Cal tells us we need to do. If we’re going to Immanuel, then that’s what we’re going to do. If we’re going to Nick, if we’re going to Ashton (Hagans), if we’re going to EJ (Montgomery). Coach Cal said something about having multiple players that can score 25. I think Quick joined that club too as well.”
On needing to get the ball to Montgomery …
“If he’s open, he needs to get the ball. Yeah, you’re right. Sometimes we miss him. We don’t see everything. Coach Cal always says, we’re not robots. So, if I miss him, I always apologize. If he says he was open, I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to look for you next time.’ But yeah, he should say something. If you’re open, anybody, and you work that hard, especially EJ, Nick, Nate (Sestina), Keion (Brooks Jr.), guys like that who fight their behinds off and rebound and defend. If they’re open in the post, you should get it to them.”
#23, EJ Montgomery, So., F
On Kenny Payne saying he needs to punch the guards if they miss him when he’s open …
“I’m trying to find another way to do it, but he’s telling me that I just need to punch them. They’re my guys. I try to just tell them and try to have them hit me next time.”
On Texas A&M being a physical team …
“We just need to bring that physicality back, but still try to limit our fouls and just bring that energy and just to go out there and compete.”
On whether they view Quickley as their go-to guy …
“Yes, definitely. He’s hit a lot of big shots and he’s been making them. He’s just been playing so well, so he can have that spot.”
On whether he feels like he is playing harder …
“I feel like I’m playing harder. When you have guys that’s playing so well like that, you have to just go out there and do little things that’s not so much scoring. You have to go get rebounds, play defense and things like that.”
On how close he feels to breaking out …
“I feel very close. I’m just getting better every day in practice and just clicking with the guys and things like that and just trying to go out there and show it on the court.”