Story Poster
NC State Basketball

Terquavion Smith: 'We Are More Together"

September 27, 2022
2,506

NC State guard Terquavion Smith discusses the Wolfpack roster, preseason workouts, and much more with the media.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.


How does it feel to be back on campus?
Oh, it feels great to be back on campus. Being around the guys, we got a lot of new guys, great environment. Way different from last year. So great energy around here.

How was it bonding on that trip? How much did you guys gel getting together as a team with all these new faces?
We gelled well, got a lot of chemistry going. That was the first time we were ever together as a group, so it was good. Have that trip and get away with guys.

What is it this year that you guys have after being around that group that you maybe didn't have last year coming into this season, that you're looking forward?
I feel like we are more together. We got that family. That family. We got glue guys, too. We got more inside presence this year.

Let me ask you about your role as far as all this is concerned. I know you have some decent size shoulders, are you ready to shoulder the load and be that guy this year, because they are looking to you?
Yeah, I'm ready for that. Growing up, I was always, I would say that guy on my team. So I feel like I can play that role very well. But all my guys, we all love each other and it means a lot to have the support from the guys.

Can you go back to the... talk about the inside game that you guys going to have this year? What has you so optimistic about that?
D.J., he was Player of the Year in his conference coming from Winthrop; also, Dusan coming from Utah, he's a big guy, big fella. Having EB back to get better than last year. So, this would be better.

How key is it going to be for you guys to be successful this year? To have some consistency down there in the paint, considering what you guys are bringing back in the back work?
It's going to be key for us because most of our problems come from rebounding, well they came from rebounding last year. Other teams having that inside presence that we were missing. So, I feel like that would be the key piece for our team.

Coach Keatts coming off his first losing season ever, he was just speaking about it during his media session. How has he been with coaching during this off season so far? Have you noticed anything different with his coaching tactics, with his philosophies or anything like that to not ever have a season like that again?
He brought in new guys with different energy than last year and he’s always going push us to go hard. So, I personally can't see the change because I guess I've been around him for a long time, but he definitely pushes us to go hard every day.

How motivating is it for you and your teammates to bounce back from a season like that? Going into a new year, clean slate for everybody.
That means a lot to everybody to bounce back because nobody wants to lose. We weren't trying to lose. So just to show the school and the fans that we play for NC State.

How's it been sharing the backcourt with Jarkel so far?
Oh that's my guy. Sharing the backcourt with him is good. Veteran guy, he got a lot of chemistry with me early, so that's good.

How's it been with the new guys coming in here, to raise your game? There's nothing like new faces to make some people go, "Uh-oh. I might not be seeing a whole lot of my playing time here.” How has practices been with different faces?
Practice has been very competitive with all the new guys because like you said, it's a lot of new faces, a lot of open spots. So we've been very competitive, man.

 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.