Tennessee senior forward Yves Pons met with the media over Zoom on Wednesday morning to discuss his process with the NBA this summer and where he’s looking to improve for the 2020-21 season.
On NBA interviews
“Instead of the workouts we did interviews with the NBA guys. I got to have 15 interviews and they mainly asked me about my life and my background. We talked a bit about basketball, but that was pretty much it. I’m just waiting on some feed-back from the NBA guys.”
On waiting until the deadline to decide about the draft
“Yes, on the morning of the deadline I did not know what I was going to do because we were still getting some feedback from my agent and the NBA. It was hard to make a decision ahead of that so that’s why we waited until the deadline and that’s when I made the decision.”
On deciding between UT and the draft and the feedback received from the NBA
“Yeah, the process was really hard on top of making a decision. There were some days where I wanted to come back and some days where felt like it was time for me to go. There was a lot of ups and downs in terms of deciding.”
“As far as the feedback from the NBA, they didn’t even know which draft pick they were going to get or if there was going to be a combine. They told me they could not guarantee that they were going to draft me. They couldn’t give us a clear answer.”
On the pros and cons of going to the draft
“I had a lot of different options to consider. It was not only about me and we had a lot of pros and cons. The first thing was, are we going to be able to have workouts or not? And with the feedback we already had, what if I go overseas? What if we do not have a season? We had to consider the NBA G-league and if they are going to have a season or not. What is it going to look like? Also, the financial point was really important for me too and I had to sacrifice some stuff on my part to come back here. There was a lot of different options I had to consider.”
On making the decision in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
“It was really hard. COVID-19 has made it really hard because I had to make a decision that I wasn’t expecting to make. Then I expected to go workout with the teams and I felt like that was another part of the job I had to get done. Without the workouts it makes it extremely hard for me and guys like me in my position for the second round. It was really hard because it brought a lot of uncertainty. We did not have all the information we needed to make a clear decision. It was really hard because we did not know what it was going to happen or what could happen.
On reaching out to former teammates Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield
“Yes absolutely. I tried to talk to as many people as I could. I took information from anywhere, so of course I called Grant Williams and we had a good conversation. I talked to Jordan Bone too and tried to talk to Kyle (Alexander) too. They really gave me some feedback because they have different contracts with the NBA. They had different perspectives on the NBA, so they really helped me out with this process and I’m thankful for that.”
On the current team newcomers, Jaden Springer, and Keon Johnson
“I think we have a young talented team. I think, from my standpoint, we can have one of the best defensive teams in the country that ever played. That is all the confidence I have in those guys. I think we have a confident team; we have depth. I think we can be really good this year.”
On the best athlete on the team with the addition of Keon Johnson
“He (Keon Johnson) is a freak athlete. I think he has some stuff that I do not have defensively. He has quick hands, but I still believe I’m bouncier than him.”
On how is trying to improve his game:
“I think I can improve my whole game to another level. I have to push all my game to another level. Either defensively or offensively, I think I have a lot of stuff to show. That’s why I’m here. I came back for that. I can show people I can do more. I can put my game to another level.”
On how having COVID-19 affected his NBA exploration over the summer:
“My decision was based on that. It kind of messed up everything, so we had to make the best decision for me and for my family. That’s why it was really hard. COVID really changed everything.”
On EJ Anosike:
“First of all, EJ is a great kid. We talk a lot every day on the court. On the court, he brings a lot. He brings a lot of energy. He can rebound. He’s not afraid of anything once he makes up his mind to get the rebound—he’s going to get it. I think he will be really good offensively and defensively. He’s a good athlete. He can run. He can play the three (and) he can play the four. I think that’s a real complement for us.”
On running offense with Jaden Springer, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James and VIcrot Bailey Jr:
“I think those guys really pick it up quick. We already had a couple of practices together, and I think we are getting better every day, day in and day out. I think it’s just a matter of time before they really get the offense like Jordan Bone and Lamonte Turner. I think we are going to be good on this one.”
On senior leadership:
“I’m not doing anything different Obviously, John and me, we are the older guys with the most experience on this team, so all I go for is to show the way and lead the young guys. It’s my job. I have to get out of my comfort zone and push all of us and use my voice. I used to lead by example, but this is going to be more like trying to talk to the guys (and) trying to bring my voice to the table.”
On how the coaches supported him through the NBA process and how they continue to support:
“I’m thankful for my coaches, and they really supported me throughout the process. They tried to give me the most information. To me coming back, there are a lot of things I can work on to get better and put my game on another level. The one thing I got back from the NBA teams was my shots and three-point range—to make them more consistently and to make open threes, to really work on my balance–especially my turnaround jump shot. For my legs, I need to work on jumping straight. That was really it. Show them I care and that I can handle the ball.”
On if he’s been compared to any NBA players:
“Yeah, P.J. Tucker. That’s the guy I relate to, and that’s something people told me.”
On what he tells freshmen on how to handle Barnes:
“Coach Barnes is a hard coach, but he knows what he’s doing. We have to trust him, and that’s why Fulky and me and the other guys that have been here need to tell them that it’s nothing personal.
On why coming back to Tennessee for his senior year was the best choice for him:
“In my situation, and many other guys in the draft, it was hard to know if there was going to be an NBA G-League or not, because they did not mention the G-League at all. For guys like me, who would spend some of my rookie year in the G-League, it was hard to know where I would develop my game. They told me that I would spend a lot of time with the team practicing and stuff, but at the end of the day, we need to play basketball. We did not get any guarantee that they were going to draft me, or anything like that. So, for me that was the only way. Besides workouts, there was no way I could increase my stock. Even if I did, it was my interviews. It did not give me any guarantee that I would be drafted where I wanted.”
On if he gave any serious thought into playing this year in Europe and then returning to play in the NBA in a year:
“Yes, that was a serious second option. Obviously with the COVID-19 here—in the other countries, they have it under control with less cases. Overseas, they know they’re going to play basketball at some point and they’re going to have a season because they have the cases under control. That was a serious case to consider. Financially, it was a good thing to go play over there.”
On if he has set personal expectations for himself this season, as reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year:
“Yes, last year I got SEC Defensive Player of the Year. This year, I’m trying to go even higher – National Defensive Player of the Year. This is only personal though. The only goal is the national championship. That’s what I see right now.”
On what it is about Tennessee’s coaching staff that allows them to help players reach their potential:
“I think we have one of the best staffs in the country. I think everybody knows what they can bring to the players. That’s why we switch coaches every week. We train with different coaches, because it can bring you a specific approach to your game. We have coaches that have experience in the NBA, that played over there, that coached over there, they all have their own experience that they can bring to the table. They’re trying to give us everything they have, everything they know, for us to get better.”
On if the abrupt conclusion to last season due to COVID-19 was one of the reasons to return to Tennessee and finish what the team started:
“Yes, there is still stuff we can get done. There’s unfinished business. Coming back will allow me and allow us to keep it going. Even if the team will be different, I think we have the team this year to go far. That’s the only goal.”
On what about Tennessee made him want to come back to spend the next several months of his basketball career here:
“The different part was really on the top of my head. Even if I couldn’t make it this year, I know how to develop my game. I could have done it in the NBA here, but knowing there is a lot of uncertainty about this season, going pro. I knew coming back here, we’re going to have a season. We’re going to have some coaches to be here. Our facilities will be open to develop my game, anyways. For me, that was the best option.”
On his experience of having COVID-19:
“I had to quarantine for 14 days. It didn’t really affect me. It was just like a normal flu. I had to quarantine myself with my wife in my apartment. That was it. We stayed home. We took care of our business. I feel really safe here because our staff did a good job of handling it and we got through it.”
-UT Athletics
