Full Transcript for DeWayne Brown II

we're kind of starting to see more kind of what kind of goes into winning and what we have to do as a team to win. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:01.200 So I would still say it's a learning process for us, but it's been well. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:05.200 What would young Dwayne think of the guy right here sitting in this chair? 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.640 Would he think that you're pretty cool? 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:07.280 Definitely. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:09.280 You probably wouldn't even believe it was him. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:10.639 That's awesome. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:12.639 Well, let's go back to growing up in Alabama. 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:14.879 How would you describe your upbringing? 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:17.280 I would say it was, I mean, it was pretty good. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:20.479 I moved, I moved to Hoover my freshman year of high school. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:23.520 I mean, my firstman year going into high school. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:26.560 And then from that point on, I mean, it was just workouts every day. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:34.000 I was up early in the morning, 5:30, 4 o'clock sometimes before practice, because in high school we practiced at 6, 6 a.m. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:38.960 So I was up, running on the trip, like trying to get in shape, trying to lose some weight, getting down to where I need to be. 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:40.960 So it was a really cool experience, just a lot of work. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.840 What are some of your earliest memories of playing sports? 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:46.159 Um, I was just talking about this at Once of Troy. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:48.800 Uh my earliest, probably say Church League. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:49.280 Okay. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:54.479 Uh, when I lived in Gardenale and Alabama, I played with Church League and that's probably my youngest memory of it. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:58.639 Okay, were you kicking butt on the court or were you like just kind of having fun out there? 00:02:58.800 --> 00:02:59.280 What was it? 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:00.879 We was definitely winning. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:09.360 Well, in terms of football and basketball, because you played both, which was kind of your first love when it came to what really got you excited? 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:15.520 Really, I probably say football, but I ended up having knee surgery in like sixth grade. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:18.080 And once I had that, my mom kind of shut football down. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:19.439 So then basketball just took over. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:22.319 And what was it about football that made you love it so much? 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.800 Really, I just the physicality, I just like to hit people. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:25.520 Yeah, okay. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:26.240 What were you playing? 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:26.879 What position? 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:28.719 I played D-line and I played O-line. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:29.199 Oh, okay. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:31.120

I bet Coach Eiffel would love to have you out there. 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:34.240 But I mean, Coach Barnes loves you out there too. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:39.439 So in high school, you won three state championships, which, like, that's crazy. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:45.520 Finished your career 117 and 17 and won your last 45 games. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:47.439 That's insane. 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:48.000 Yeah. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:54.800 What was it about that team, that group, that you guys were just dominating, whoever you played? 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:57.120 I really think that it was just our bond. 00:03:57.199 --> 00:04:00.479 I mean, we were really close off the court, which kind of helped us on the court. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.159 We was in the gym together a lot. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.000 I mean, we just went through it a lot together. 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:11.199 We played with each other for so long, going up from freshman year to senior year, we kind of just knew where, knew what each other liked, knew where we were gonna be at. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.639 So it was really just easy playing with them. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:15.520 Individually, you were named Alabama Mr. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.959 Basketball and the Gatorade Alabama player of the year. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:30.720 When you look back, was there anybody that really helped create the basketball player that you are today, whether it was a coach, a mentor, family member that poured into you? 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:31.360 Yeah. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:36.800 I mean, for sure, my mom, my sister, my family, I mean, especially going up, I mean, getting me where I needed to be. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:40.399 Like when I, I mean, when I couldn't drive, somebody had to take me to the gym at five in the morning. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:41.680 So especially that. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:48.639 But I would say our JV coach, um my freshman year, I was actually I was playing with JV in the summertime. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:53.759 And then like right before the season, I moved up to varsity, and I just had that connection with the JV coach ever since. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:05:02.079 He was the one up with me, working out at five in the morning, running the treadmill with me, like we doing that thing together, just keeping that bond on the court and off the court. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:03.360 So that was really what I'd say. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:07.040 Were you always tall, or did you have a growth spur at some point too? 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:08.720 Uh, I would say I was always tall. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:09.120 Okay. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:11.120 Back center in every class photo. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:12.399 Yeah, I get that. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.560 That was me too until like the sixth grade. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:15.439 But I understand. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:27.040 As a top prospect coming out of Alabama, you could have had your choice at a high major program, but you said it was Tennessee's culture as to why you wanted to come and play here. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:32.000 What was it that you saw or that you felt that made this the right decision for you? 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:39.600 I mean, I would just one thing that I was looking for coming uh out of high school because I had it in high school was just coming to a program that was very like family-oriented. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:43.040 Like everybody's here for each other and kind of depending on each other. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:53.279 And one thing that I realized, like my the visit when I knew I was coming, I took an unofficial visit and it was Alabama versus Tennessee, the football game, and all the fans was going crazy. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.920 That's the game when we all stormed the field, took the goalposts. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:58.720 Like, that was my after that game, I knew I was gonna come. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:00.639 I I love the environment, the fans, and everything. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:01.759 So I just knew after that. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.319 What was your first impression of Coach Barnes? 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.000 The man, the myth, the legend. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.439 Yeah, I mean, it was a good impression. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:10.879 He I fly off the court, he really just he really just jokes a lot with you. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:11.839 So it was a good impression. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:12.800 Yeah, yeah. 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:16.240 I I experienced that last night in my uh halftime interview with him. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:21.680 I asked him about, you know, getting more offense going in the second half, and he goes, You tell me, I don't know. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:22.000 Yeah. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.240 I was like, it's a great answer, Coach. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:26.639 I'll I'll come with notes next time. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:34.560 But now that you played for him, what do you understand about him more as the coach that he is that maybe you didn't before you were his player? 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:40.160 I'll really just say a lot of people say he's really hard nosed on the court, but I'll just feel like he kind of just like all the players. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:43.600 I mean, he just wants to win and he's gonna do whatever it takes to be able to win. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.519 He's gonna push you beyond your limits to make you be the best player you can be. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.720 So really that's my thing. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:57.920 We also have to talk about your number because you're the first player in Tennessee history to wear the number six, which you point back to is because of LeBron James. 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:05.279 What is it about him and the player that he is on the court that you really admire and almost take into your own game? 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:07.040 Really, really just the aggressiveness. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:09.600 I feel like he plays

he plays with a lot of aggressiveness. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:12.560 And I mean, if you ask me, I think he's a real selfless player too. 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:22.480 I think he's been in positions where he's had to do a lot, but now, like if you look at him now, he's in a position where he doesn't have to do as much, but he's still being able to finish games with 10 assists, 10 points, 10 rebounds. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:25.600 Like, that's still an amazing game, even though he can maybe go out and drop 30. 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:29.600 So I really I look for him to be like selflessness and play with aggression. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.040 Is he your NBA GOAT? 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:31.680 Definitely. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:37.360 Okay, so what's your argument when people come to you and say, no, no, no, it's MJ or no, it's Kobe? 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:43.519 I I just feel like if you put LeBron in any air, he's still gonna dominate the way he did now. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.879 So it really wouldn't matter. 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:45.600 Perfect. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.879 That's that's a great answer. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.199 I'm gonna use that next time when I get an argument with people. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:55.920 Well, you arrived at Tennessee after having all that success in high school, and now you're starting over at the college level. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:59.600 What was the biggest adjustment for you coming onto campus as a freshman? 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:12.000 I mean, I'll really just say uh like how hard, how hard we was practicing, how hard we was playing, just knowing that that's something that you have to be able to sustain every day, kind of rechanging my habits of building even better habits to be the player that I am now. 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:18.399 Every day in practice, you were going up against Felix Akpara, who obviously was a veteran with a lot of experience. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:23.759 What did that dynamic teach you about what it was gonna take to just get minutes on the floor? 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:26.319 Fee, he obviously played very hard, very good athlete. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:29.839 So it was just kind of me going up against him was basically just showing me Fee. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:34.000 I feel like Fee was one of the best defenders in in the SEC or in college, in college basketball. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:39.440 So me going up against him every day was kind of just putting me up against the the biggest competition that I was gonna have. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:43.360 So going into games, it wasn't really nothing I haven't seen because I'm going up against him every day. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:44.559 No kidding, yeah. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:54.320 As a freshman, trying to earn the coach's trust, what did you feel like you needed to show them in order to say, no, I'm ready to play, you can put me in right now? 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:57.279 Um, really, I feel like one thing is just being

consistent. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:04.559 I I feel like when you come in as a freshman, all coaches want to know is that you're gonna stay a course and you're not gonna kind of go go off and do your own thing. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:12.000 So really just being consistent, knowing that I'm gonna play hard, I'm gonna rebound, I'm not gonna do anything out of the ordinary that I that we don't practice. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:20.639 When did you feel like that shift happened for you freshman year when the coaches were seeing that consistency out of you and were ready to put you in? 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:34.559 Um, I really say after after kind of the middle of the summertime, uh, and then going into like the beginning of the season, when I was actually getting my rips in the game, it was just I used to go back and watch film uh with coach Coach Greg Polinski, and it was just kind of the same thing. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.440 Like we're just focused on nothing about offense, just defense. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.480 Am I in the right spots? 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:40.399 Am I putting all my effort and crashing the glass? 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:47.759 Because I mean we had a lot of guys last year, so I already knew that going in the game, I was gonna be play three minutes as hard as I can and then be ready for my name to be called again. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:48.480 So that was my thing. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:51.840 What did you think about the first time you put on the Tennessee uniform, too? 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:54.240 Because it was that Duke exhibition game at home. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:10:00.559 And I was there as a fan, and I remember you coming in and you kind of like put everybody on notice of like Dwayne Brown's here. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.080 Are you guys ready for him or not? 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:06.399 So I thought that that was a really cool introduction to you as a volunteer. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:08.159 What do you remember about that game? 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.320 To be honest, I don't really remember much. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:12.159 I just know, I just know that I was ready. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:20.559 I got in, I know I got in around like the 10-minute mark, and when I was going up to the table, I mean, all I was thinking was just go in, do my job, play as hard as I can, and results for care. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:24.559 Your first career start came against Louisville on December 16th, though. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:30.320 What do you remember those 24 hours leading up to the game finding out that you were gonna get your first start here? 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:35.200 I actually I didn't even know until a couple hours before the game, actually. 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.440 So it was really a surprising moment. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.559 But I mean, last year I kind of had the same mentality before every game. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:45.519 Like, we used to write down on note cards, like things we was gonna

focus on individually and as a team. 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:52.240 And one thing I had on my card every time was just be the hardest playing dude on the floor, uh, rebound, be in the right positions, just things like that. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:54.480 And then, like I said, just everything else was gonna come into play. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.080 And that's just what I went into it with. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:56.639 Yeah. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:59.440 So then you get through that first half of the season. 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:11.679 Like, were you able to process really like what you guys had done, your experience so far with it before you got into SEC player, did you just feel like you guys were just constantly looking out what was coming next? 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:14.960 Yeah, to be honest, I felt like we were just constantly looking at what was coming next. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.480 Everything was happening so fast. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.960 Yeah, we'll just kind of try to stay together, stay the course. 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:24.320 So when you do play in your first SEC game, I can't remember off the top of my head who it was, but when you get to Arkansas. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.120 Oh, you remember. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:25.840 I should have known. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:33.759 So when you get to Arkansas, your first SEC game, what would you tell the freshman now about what it means to really play in the SEC? 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.279 Um, I mean, it's definitely very physical, it's very hard. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:41.840 And one thing about the SEC, the fans are really into it, like Arkansas crowd was very loud. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:44.799 So we kind of had to bring our talk up, bring our energy up. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:50.960 Like when you're on the road in the SEC, you're creating your own environment as a team, and everybody got to be together and there for each other. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:51.679 So I'll just say that. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:12:00.799 Was it that game or was there another game on the schedule that you were like, oh my gosh, this is what the SEC demands, and I have to give it my all? 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:11.200 Uh I would definitely say that when we played at Florida, I mean, because I mean, those guys are big, those guys are physical, they play hard, they play fast, and that's kind of a rivalry that Tennessee has uh been playing, playing at Florida. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:16.639 So after that game, you kind of could see the expectations of what we're gonna have to do to be a successful team in the SEC. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:26.080 I also want to bring up that Auburn game because you played 34 minutes and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block, and two steals. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:28.799 You basically filled up the entire stat sheet that night. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:33.919 What do you remember about how comfortable you felt in that game to be able to have all that

success? 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:37.360 Really, I'll just kind of give it, give it to my teammates. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:43.679 I mean, I don't really when I'm playing, I don't really be thinking about nothing but just doing my job and putting all of my effort on the floor. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:49.440 And really, after that game, if you ask me, told me I played 34 minutes, I didn't believe I played that that many minutes. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:54.720 So um, I mean, obviously I was in great shape enough to be able to play that long, but it was a good experience. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:56.480 Then it's postseason time. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:13:03.919 Everyone's favorite month of the year, March Madness, and you're experiencing your first ever dance. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:08.559 What do you remember about your feelings, your emotions heading into that tournament run? 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:14.399 I mean, it was amazing because I think my if I could remember my first point was was me dunking on somebody. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:18.480 So I mean, I think it was a pretty amazing experience. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:25.120 But like I said, really last year, I was just focused on one thing and I was just coming in, giving them my all for the team and for those guys. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:31.039 I knew at that point, especially how much it meant to the program and to the people on the team how far we wanted to go. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:37.600 Well, let's go back to that dunk for just a quick second because it was an and one dunk in the first uh game, first round. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:44.159 But all of your teammates, I think there was like some controversy afterwards because they were like, I didn't know Dwayne could get up like that. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:45.840 I didn't know he had hops like that. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.200 So set the record straight. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.240 Like that's nothing new. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.279 Yeah, nothing new. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.639 Always been like that. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:58.000 What did it mean to you to be able to have such a successful run in just your freshman season of college basketball? 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.679 I mean, it meant it meant a lot to me. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.120 And I still think about it now. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:08.799 I mean, just kind of knowing that once you get into that postseason play, like right now, we're kind of preparing for that, leading up to it the whole time. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:12.720 You just have to really understand as a team and value that every possession matters. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:15.440 Because when we was in postseason play, that's really what it came down to. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.320 Every game was close. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.000 The last four minutes was always a dogfight. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.120 Players giving it their all because they know after this, you never know what's next. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:26.720 When it came to your future at Tennessee, you went into it knowing your decision and wanting to come back here. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:31.919 What was it that made you want to stick around with the program and come back for a second season? 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:33.840 Really, just my conversation with the coaches. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:36.559 I feel like I had a very successful freshman year. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:39.200 So and I mean, I never really thought of leaving this place. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.639 I mean, it's a place I wanted to be. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:42.559 So coming back wasn't really hard for me. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:47.519 Even when all the guys was leaving, I mean, those are my guys, but that doesn't influence my decision at all. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:51.440 Coming into this season, Coach Barnes says that he expects a lot from you. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:57.039 And he said that every year, somebody is going to surprise us and someone's going to disappoint us. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:01.120 But he, speaking of you, was the biggest surprise on our basketball team last season. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:07.600 But what stood out to me was when he said that beyond your production on the court, he said that you're the ultimate team player. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:10.159 What does it mean to hear that from your head coach? 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:19.039 I mean, it means a lot because that's not really something that he'll say to my face, but hearing it from somebody else, uh knowing that he sees he sees the effort I'm putting out, it just means a lot. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.720 Where does that approach come from? 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:28.320 That will to just be that team player, be what your guys need, play the role that's being asked of you, and just really play selfless basketball. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.759 Really, I'm I kind of think that's just kind of me being a competitor. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:37.039 I mean, I know I know my skills, and I feel like I know my teammates' skills, so I know kind of what it takes. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.879 I feel like I got a good basketball IQ. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:44.559 Um, I can see the floor, and like I said, I know what it takes to be able to be on a good team and make a good team because I've always been winning. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:54.240 The other quote that I really like that he said was he appreciated your loyalty and said, we wanted Dwayne back because he stands for everything any coach would want. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:57.919 That's those are some pretty high praises, Dwayne. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:16:00.799 What has your relationship with Coach Barnes meant to you? 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.000 Uh it's been amazing. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:15.120 I still think about the times when uh I took my official vision, I was driving around with him in a car and we was just going around looking at canvases, and he was just kind of telling me like the player I

could be and what I could become for this program and for the team last year and I mean for the team now. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:17.200 So I mean, I think we think we have a pretty good relationship. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:26.240 And so far from what he's told you and what the coaches have told you, when you've put that into practice, are you starting to see what he was saying? 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.840 And you're like, oh yeah, he was right. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:30.080 Like, this is what I can do, this is what I can become. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.200 Yeah, definitely. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:36.000 I mean, uh, everything he's told me, I feel like I feel like one thing about our coaching staff, they keep it very real to you. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.399 They're not really gonna sugarcoat anything. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.759 Uh, they're gonna tell you straightforward. 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:44.240 So, really, everything that he's told me, and that anybody's told me the coaching staff has been kind of what's in front of me. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:52.559 Now, you and Troy were the two guys who played valuable minutes for this team last season that were coming back, but you're both still young. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:17:02.480 So, what has it been like for you this season being looked at as the guy that's been around the block here once before, knows Coach Barnes, knows this system. 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:09.920 Um, whether they're older than you or, you know, have the same amount of experience as you, you're you're still looked to as being that leader. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.880 Yeah, definitely. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:14.640 It was something that I knew I was gonna kind of be put into when I came back. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:19.200 So coming back, I just knew that I was gonna kind of embrace that role and it was something that I wanted to be. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:23.680 I feel like every young college player wants to eventually grow up and be the leader of a team. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:28.240 So I wasn't gonna shy from it when uh we were talking about it and it was gonna be asked of me. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.839 I was gonna come in, I was gonna embrace it. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:34.559 I mean, like you said, I kind of been around the program, so I know what coach likes, I know what he expects from us. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:43.119 So it's easy for me to kind of tell the guys and lead by example of how hard we're gonna have to play or like how much the stuff that he thinks matters actually matters in the game. 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:51.119 Going into the offseason, where did you see yourself needing to make the biggest jump going from freshman season, got my legs under me to now sophomore season? 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.920 I really want to grow. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:18:04.319 Definitely, definitely in a leadership role, but definitely I feel like just playing, playing much faster, being able to defend better, being able to rebound better, and uh being able to stretch my game out a little bit, being able to play a little bit further away away from the basket. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:12.319 I feel like that comes with still gaining coach, gaining trust with coach, but at the same time, that's still something I need to be able to get in my skill set. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:20.720 Coach Barnes talked about when recruits come in and they show them film about the kind of basketball they want to play here at Tennessee. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:24.480 You're pretty much in all of the film that they show. 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:31.279 How does it feel to know that your coach is seeing the impact and the effort that you play with on the court? 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.160 It means a lot. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:37.440 And it just shows that kind of the mentality that I was going with into last year is really just a mentality to have. 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:39.599 Um, obviously, we had a very successful season. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:44.799 I feel like I had a successful season myself, but the thing is that I wasn't really thinking about myself. 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:46.160 I was thinking for the team. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.960 So I feel like that's just the best mentality to go into with. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:52.960 Well, he said, I don't think we would be as far along with this group right now if it weren't for Dwayne. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:19:01.119 So it seems like you've really been a big glue piece for this team and being able to get everybody on board with the buy-in too of the culture here at Tennessee. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:03.440 Um, how has that leadership shown up? 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:13.759 Um, I really say it's really mostly a lead by example, but if I feel like I have to, if I feel like I have to uh have to say something, then I mean I'm not afraid I will step up and say what I need to say. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:21.599 Your leadership though also extends beyond the court as well because you were elected vice chair of the SEC Men's Basketball Leadership Council in your first year serving. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:26.000 What made you want to get involved and what are you excited about being able to be a part of that? 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:29.519 I mean, we had the council meeting, and I feel like the council meeting was just really good. 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:36.400 And I mean, after that, I just feel like if I'm gonna be put in, if I'm gonna be fortunate enough to be put in those positions, then why shy away from it? 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:41.039 So I just kind of wanted to embrace getting in that role, and I'm really I'm just excited to see what comes with it. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:43.119 And you're also a ball leader, right? 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.559 That's super exciting. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:49.359 How has that class already maybe impact your leadership so far this season? 00:19:49.599 --> 00:20:00.640 Um, it's impacted a lot because going

going into it, one thing I learned about myself uh from the summertime was that I'm gonna have to learn to speak up and like be confident and what I say when the team is in adversity. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:05.359 And going through with all leaders classes just kind of helped me realize what that takes and what that looks like. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:15.440 Let's talk too about this season real quick and where we're at because we had exhibitions against Xavier and Duke, gave you guys some early tests, even though they didn't go the way that you wanted. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:25.839 What did those games reveal about this group and help you guys understand right now in that moment, so that you could start moving in the direction you wanted to going forward? 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:28.720 Um, I mean, it definitely showed us where where we were at. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:33.680 Those are two very, very talented teams that we were going up against for our first competition against any other team. 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:45.359 But I really feel like more than anything, it was kind of something that we needed to kind of wake us up and show us that if we're gonna be um a competitive team in college basketball, then we're gonna have to pick it up in these areas of the game. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.200 So I feel like it was good games for us. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:54.880 Yeah, Coach Barnes talked about the buy-in after that dude game really like went up a level from the group. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:21:06.480 What did you see after those exhibition games in the practices to follow about the group mentality and attitude about where they wanted to see progress being made? 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:14.160 Um, I would say that one thing we we were all really embarrassed after that game, and I feel like no player wants to really be put in a position to feel like that again. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:18.160 So at some point, um, we was gonna have to buy into what Coach was saying. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:21.279 Guys weren't just gonna be able to keep going on and doing our own thing. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:28.720 So, I mean, after that game, like I said, it was really just a wake-up card for us like if we're gonna be able to compete, then we're gonna have to do these things that Coach is asking of us because he's done it. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:32.559 Well, the Wafford game, I think, was a good game to take back the narrative. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:38.559 And that's kind of what Coach Barnes said was after the Duke game, like that was the last impression that people had of this Tennessee squad. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:46.640 But you can either let that be how it is, or you can come out against Wafford and you can show everybody like who this squad is. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:52.400 And one thing that really I thought was kind of funny was the Wafford coach in his postgame press conference. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.119 Did you hear this? 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.359 Yeah. 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:59.759 He called you a defensive end out there and said, trying to defend you is like running into a brick wall. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:10.079 What does it mean to know that that's the physicality that you can bring to the team and maybe what opponents think of you when they have to scout you and go up against you? 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.839 Oh, I mean, it definitely means a lot. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:16.319 And I feel like a lot of that just comes with battling last year and being on team last year. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.960 We got that same narrative a lot carried on. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:27.359 So, I mean, I'm just trying to bring the other bigs to bring the other guys along with me to be able to keep carrying on that narrative that we're gonna be the most physical, the most hardest playing team in the country. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:32.559 Do you take a lot of pride in making sure that whoever's going up against you knows it's gonna be a long night for them? 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.119 I do. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:44.640 With Michigan State, Iowa State, and Purdue on the non-conference schedule, this group will have a lot of opportun opportunities to learn about itself and learn where they are in their growth journey. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:47.920 What are you most eager to with those matchups on the schedule? 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:52.079 Um, really, I'm just most eager to see like how how we play in those matchups. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:56.880 Because I mean, the last time that we played a highly ranked team, we didn't perform to our best ability. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:04.960 So, really coming up with Michigan State, we got two other games before that, but I'm just ready, ready to see how we respond, how we come out and play, and what what our focuses are gonna be. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:08.640 What are your thoughts on spending Thanksgiving in Las Vegas for a second time? 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:13.279 I would definitely rather be at home, but uh it's definitely it's gonna be a fun experience. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:16.880 We still get together, we have like Thanksgiving dinner uh on that night with the team. 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:19.920 So it's still having that family connection with the team is still good. 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:22.319 Do a lot of the family members make it out for that one? 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.880 Yeah, they do. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.680 My mom's gonna be there. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.720 So and my sister. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.359 Okay, good. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.799 So at least you'll still have them there with you. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:38.160 From what you've seen so far though, what's the biggest thing this team still needs to work on during these early games, during this non-conference schedule, to get you guys ready for that SEC play in January? 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:42.319 I would say that we just kind of still need to know that we can rely on

each other. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:47.599 I feel like we got a lot of guys who on their old teams they were like relied on. 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:49.839 And on this team, that's not really the case. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:53.759 Like we can all rely on each other to make every last one of us be better. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:57.519 So I feel like that's just one aspect going that's gonna help us on the offensive end. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:01.680 And on the defensive end, I think that we're really starting to pick it up and we're starting to understand what it is to guard. 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.319 Definitely. 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:11.279 And that was a point that Coach Barnes made too about how with a lot of these new guys, they were the best players on their team, and they were having to be the ones to carry their team. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:16.319 But now it's like they this is the first time they're experiencing being on a team with all of this talent. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.240 So, how does everyone find their role? 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.240 And how do you guys all play together because of that? 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:30.000 So it takes some time, obviously, with all these new faces, but you guys are working on it, which is exciting, and it's gonna be exciting to see to where you guys started from to where you guys end for sure. 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:41.039 I want to talk to you a little bit, real quick before we wrap up, about what your passions are outside of basketball and what really interests you because you're studying psychology right now and you want to become a therapist after basketball. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.799 What sparked that interest for you? 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:50.799 Um, my mom actually majored in psychology, and now she's a family director at the Ronald McDonald House, and I was there growing up with her a lot. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:56.880 Um, I was always at her job, kind of being around and seeing her do things, and I feel like that's really what sparked my interest. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:59.759 And just growing up, it's just kind of something I always wanted to know. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:04.319 I always wanted to know how people react and how they think about and go through things. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:13.279 What did you learn watching her about the way that you know people interact with one another and relationship building that has helped you just in your own life? 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:23.039 Um, really, one thing I just looked, it kind of helped me look at everybody's a human being, everybody's going through struggles and everybody kind of has problems, but that doesn't mean that they're any different from you. 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:28.799 That's really the main thing I learned being there, um, playing with kids, being there hearing her talking to families and just growing up. 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:32.000 Kind of another thing that I feel like goes into just me being so selfless. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:35.519 How has it helped you with basketball? 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:39.039 Is it with your teammates, with your coaches? 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:42.880 How has that perspective helped you on the court? 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:48.000 Um, I would just say, really, I'll really say with my coaches is being being a good listener. 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:52.079 I mean, that's kind of I feel like the job is you really just gotta listen and you gotta understand. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:55.759 And it's not really all about you coming in just giving your opinion. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:57.759 You have to hear what other people have to say. 00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:00.720 So I say that's how really how it helped me with coaches and basketball. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.319 Are you like the team therapist? 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:05.359 Like, do people come to you and ask questions and like value your opinion? 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:05.839 Sometimes. 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.960 Sometimes, yeah, yeah. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.720 Because you're a good listener, Dwayne. 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:11.039 That's why they want to share these things with you. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:21.680 Okay, as we wrap up though, when you think about the player and the person that you were when you first got here at Tennessee, what are you most proud of with your own growth and development? 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:25.359 Um, really, I'd say I'm just proud, proud of really every aspect. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:32.160 Being on the court, off the court, I just feel like I've grown, grown in ways that I need to become a better man, a better player. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.759 So I just thank the university. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:41.039 By the end of this season, when it's all said and done, what do you hope people see and understand about this Tennessee team? 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:50.559 I just really hope that, definitely with the team, that the narrative that we're trying to push, and we talk about it before every game, that another opportunity to change the narrative of what people think about us. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:57.920 Like I said, we want to be the most physical team, most hardest plan team, and just know that for 40 minutes of the game, we're gonna play you as hard, as hard as we can. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:27:00.240 We're gonna defend, we're gonna do everything that it takes to win the game. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:03.039 Well, Dwayne, thank you so much for joining the podcast. 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:11.359 We appreciate, in the midst of the start of the season, you taking the time to join us, and we're cheering you on for all your success this season, and good luck the rest of the way. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:13.279 We can't wait to see who this team becomes. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.559 Yep, thank you for having me. 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:20.640 Thanks so much, y'all, for tuning in to another episode of the Everything Orange Podcast presented by First Horizon. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:32.799 With all these new pieces working together on the Tennessee men's basketball team, I know that Dwayne and the rest of the guys are really looking forward to seeing where this team can grow and what they can accomplish this season. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:41.839 Please be sure to follow us on all of our social platforms, including utsports.com, for all of the latest information on all of our balls and lady balls. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.839 And with that, we will see you guys next time. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.799 Bye y'all.