when you were doing what you needed to do.

Yeah, so, so with that team we ain't really had no like no ball dominate guys, but to, but to answer your question like no, 'cause I really know how to play through a system.

L- like my 10th and 11th grade it was just my 10th grade it was just like give the Rick the ball and then the 11th grade was like more of like ooh we wasn't as good as my senior year but, but like we are like we had some different guys and stuff but, um, but yeah like e- it really like wh- when I made my college decision I just wanted to play with it, play with some guys that I just felt like I'm, I feel comfortable with.

So but I do know how to play through a system s- I don't I mean I don't ne- need the ball all the time to, to be effective in a game but I do like getting my teammates involved making plays and stuff showing, showing a little bit of my game.

But like me just needing the ball like I, I wasn't necessarily the man I just fell into that role in college and it alL, it al-, it all worked out.

But no, I wanna ask it for you

... eating right.

Eating right.

So what were those kind of battles like, and do y'all have, like, a group chat where you stay in touch or anything like that? Or have you kind of spread your own ways at this point?

Yeah.

Uh, yeah, we still got a group chat that we stay in touch.

But, like, surprisingly, like, like, we didn't play five-on-five a lot.

Coach Boyle had us doing defense.

Like, like stuff we were doing in a game.

And then, like, at the end probably have a four minute game of five-on-five, running clock.

But with the Pelicans in general, kinda bouncing off of what Steve has asked you about just figuring out how good you are and what that's gonna look like, how have you kinda balanced fitting in s- with your current Pelicans team and just kind of getting used to the NBA game and having them adjust to you with your unique skill set?

[laughs]

But, um, b- but, but we all, like, uh, like they still got years in this, in the NBA.

They all, um, be- know what they're talking about, so they all just keep us, like, great best.

Like I said, they, um, teach us a lot, help us g- how to get through, through tough times.

Um, like, we ask about games or personnel or something like that.

And then we also ask about the city.

So, so, like, it, it's been fun learning from guys that's older than me, but kind of all in the same age bracket.

I guess tell the audience something about Zion Williamson, maybe they don't know.

[laughs]

But, um, but, but we all, like, like, they still got years in this, in the NBA.

They all, um, be- know what they're talking about, so they all just keep us, like, great bets, like I said.

They, um, teach us a lot, help us g- how to get through, through tough times.

Um, like we ask about games or personnel or something like that.

And then we also ask about the city.

So, so, like, i- it's been fun learning from guys that's older than me, but kind of all in the same age bracket.

I guess tell the audience something about Zion Williamson maybe they don't know.

What's it like to even guard a guy like that?

Yeah, it's crazy, because he's 7'6", and can do what a point guard can do.

So it's just like, it was definitely fun matching up with him, seeing a person that tall and that good, and just ready for the other matchups that we have.

Do you think the New Orleans Pelicans will be able to? Do you feel like you guys have the stuff there to sort of build to do well this year?

Yes, definitely.

It's a long season.

We lost five straight games, but we're just going to keep building and learn from every loss.

Just keep watching film, talking, what we need to do better.

Where you get that from, man, with the long sleeves with short shorts, high socks, you know what I'm saying? Look like you out there from the '80s getting to it.

Uh, long s- like, I, I wanted to wear that Montverde, I did, like, my first two years, but they had, like, con- like, tight was, uh, tight compression, so I was like, "Nah." But, like, Under Armor had the, had, like, baggy ones, long ones, so I, I, I did that.

And, and then my socks, like, I'd just be...

I mean, my socks don't come all the way up, but I'd, like, roll them down a little bit.

But, like, I, I, I did that a lot in AAU also, so.

Tell us how that came to be.

Dairy Queen, I mean, I, like, in high school I didn't really, like, like nobody really thought about it.

But when I got to Maryland, um, I, when I got to Mer- when I got to Maryland, um, everybody just kept saying it on, on Twitter.

Dairy Queen, man, tell us how that came to be.

Dairy Queen, I mean, like, in high school, I didn't really, like, like, nobody really thought about it.

But when I got to Maryland, um...

When I got to Maryland, everybody just kept saying it on Twitter, so I was like, I never thought about that.

My agency was reaching out to them, but they hadn't went through my school, because I think they had a great connection, and then once I hit that game winner, the next day I did a little snippet for Dairy Queen.

That's fire, bro.

that suit looking like, man? All I would say is double breasted.

Okay.

What, what are your real kinda overall thoughts about that with what I said?

Yeah.

I mean, it's not like I can't shoot it, so, um, s- so s- so once I make one or two, like, uh, like people gonna start guarding me different.

Like, I'm definitely gonna take some again.

So, um, so I mean, it, i- it's, it's definitely gonna be fun 'cause that's what I'm, that's what I'm used to playing with, uh, two, two bigs, me and, and somebody else.

I play, I played with another one at Maryland.

And then, uh, I mean, I just gotta go out there and just do what I usually do, and, um, yeah.

Um, let's, uh, uh, I'm curious, like what was your first encounter with basketball growing up? When do you remember picking it up?

(laughs)

Had to start, uh, kind of cooking by myself.

I had to do a lot of stuff by myself, so that just really opened, like, opened my mind up and, like, and, and, like, readied me, and, and got me ready for college.

And then Coach Willard, l- like, like I said, like, h- he understands me 'cause he know, like, he understands my personality and stuff.

Li- li- like, that was a joke, but it's, like, also been for real.

But Coach Willard, he, he understands me 'cause I like to joke around, I like to show my personality, and he's always there, like, he always, like, laugh with me.

He makes jokes too, like, a- and I think I also bring out, like, the, like, the happy or the, or the funniness out of him too.

How hard was it to when it came, to push came to shove, to choose Maryland over all the other top programs in the country?