Sept. 6, 2006
Each week in the pre-season leading up to the team's Nov. 2nd exhibition game against Rhodes, www.gotigersgo.com will meet with one member of the Lady Tiger Basketball team in preparation for the upcoming season. We sat with senior Devin Necaise to kick things off.
Q. Is it possible it's your senior year already? Do you remember coming to Memphis your first time? You mentioned earlier that your first-ever letter from Memphis came from Coach Savage.
A. I do. I remember the first time I ever set foot on the campus. I was here on an unofficial visit for me, at one of the positional camps, the elite camp. And actually it was kind of fun because Coach McNelis and Coach Savage both sat me down and told me that they wanted me to consider coming to school here. So that was kind of cool, because it was my birthday and it was fun to play for both Coach McNelis and Coach Savage and know that they both wanted me to come to school here. Having had the opportunity to play for both has been good. My relationship with Coach Savage has really grown. I have a lot of respect for her.
Q. You've gotten a sneak peek at all the new Lady Tigers. And with eight newcomers, Lady Tiger fans are kind of curious about what to expect. What can you tell us?
A. I'm really excited about this year. I think already we have a very energetic team and I think I can honestly say we are already more of a team after just this summer than I have seen in my previous three years. We hang out together on the court, off the court. Of course as the season progresses, you'll see more, but everyone respects each other, which is odd to say since we've only been together for the summer and a week, but I'm excited. I don't think I'll be playing 38 minutes anymore, which is fine with me, as long as we're winning. I think we'll have a very successful team.
Q. When we were in New Orleans last year, you made the comment that your mom wanted you to go to school there? Now that you're four years down the road, how do you look at your decision to come to school at Memphis?
A. That was just my mom wanting me close, but I think it's great for people to go away from home. I know some people choose to stay at home too, and that's fine for them, but I've met a lot of people here and made a lot of friends and have had to be self-reliant. You know, we always call where you're from home, but when you go back, it's not always like that's home anymore. I've spent what, six months there in the last four years? I prayed and felt like Memphis was where I was supposed to be and that was the right decision for me.
Q. How has your game changed since you've come to Memphis?
A. Well, I had never been a point guard before my freshman year, so that was a big change. I was forced into the point and got to the point where I started quite a few straight games in conference my freshman year there. But even now, where I've moved back to the two, I can see the court better because of that. I still have that point guard mentality though of learning everyone's position on the court in case I need to direct traffic.
Q. Everyone in the league knew you as a shooter last year, so you worked hard on moving and getting off quick shots and scoring off the dribble. How have you prepared this summer?
A. Yeah, last year, everyone always told me I was the shooter and I kind of got sick of it, you know. I really worked to score by other ways other than an open look and hopefully this year, I'll get to focus on rebounding and passing too and not just be looked at as just the shooter.
Q. Who is the best player you've played up again?
A. That's hard, we've played against a lot of really good players. Probably Chandi Jones from Houston.
Q. So last summer, your big news was that you were engaged, how go the wedding plans?
A. I am doing some planning. I already have my dress and my bridesmaids dresses (teammate Megan Gooch will be one of her six bridesmaids). That's one thing that college basketball has taught me, planning ahead and managing time.
Q. The team hosts a lot of recruits throughout the year. How does Devin Necaise sell the University of Memphis and becoming a Lady Tiger?
A. You know, I just tell them that they will step on our court and step into our gym, and they'll know. I don't really try to sell them on anything, I just tell it to them like it is. The last thing you want as a player is to be on the court with someone who doesn't want to be there, so I tell them to do what feels right -- to just pray about it and make the right decision for them.
Q. Okay, some quick shots. Favorite place you've visited
A. Cancun, Mexico (The Lady Tigers played in Cancun two years ago. Devin scored 24 points in those two tournament games, including two threes from two steps beyond the half court line).
Q. What is your personal motto?
A. That God never gives me more than I can handle.
Q. What was your proudest moment?
A. Signing my scholarship because it showed me that dedication, discipline and hard work pays off. Oh, and getting engaged!
Q. Favorite book?
A. The Purpose Driven Life
Q. If you could be on a reality show, which one would you pick?
A. Survivor
Q. What's your biggest fear?
A. Failure.
Q. Any final thoughts heading into the season?
A. I'm just really excited about this year. We have a great team and I think we're going to be fun to watch. I'm going to try not to dwell so much on missed shots this year and not overthink things. I'm just going to concentrate on enjoying the game and having fun, not losing my focus, but maybe getting to do more of those high adrenaline things, like diving for a ball or passing the ball to a teammate and watching them hit a big shot, those are all high-adrenaline things for me.
