Mens Basketball Hosts Media Day

10/30/2019

PRINCETON, N.J. – Head coach Mitch Henderson along with senior Richmond Aririguzoh and sophomore Jaelin Lllewelyn fronted the media for the Princeton University men’s basketball team’s annual media day Monday afternoon.

Scroll down to watch the full press conference and look back at some of the quotes as you prepare for the season ahead.

Talking Points

Head Coach Mitch Henderson

On what has impressed him throughout the preseason

“The attitude and the energy starting up top, with Richmond and his fellow seniors. There is a spirit of humbleness with the team and I think we embody Richmond’s spirit, and that’s a really good thing. He smiles when you give him a compliment, he can take a joke, arguably the hardest worker we’ve had around for a really long time and we’ve had a lot of hard workers. He’s one of the more improved players in college basketball history. The team has taken on that personality and it’s a really good thing.

On Jaelin Lewellyn

“I’ve been really impressed with his leadership. Last year we played Dartmouth at home and he took over the game vocally toward the end. We’re really going to rely heavily on Jaelin on both ends of the floor. He’s a terrific defender, he puts other people in positions to succeed not just defensively but offensively. He’s a high-level player, has high-level character and is a high-level person. The ball is his; there is great responsibility that comes with that but also great freedom.”

On other veterans who have made progress over the off-season

“Going down the line, and in particular Ryan Schweiger. We missed him at the end of last season; he’s way more vocal and taking a larger role on both ends of the floor. Jerome Derosiers was here over the summer and put in a lot of work in the weight room, Max Johns has a walk softly and carry a big stick philosophy; he’s the guts of the team. He doesn’t say a whole lot but he’s tough, very tough. You’ve got Ethan Wright and Drew Friberg, everyone is better. Jose Morales and Will Gladson are two fellow seniors with Richmond and we’ve seen both of them play significant minutes but there’s a vocalness to the team and its focused on winning, which I love."

On the freshmen group

“It’s a great group and they’re learning so much on a day-to-day basis. They were all highly recruited, we’re thrilled with the group. They could be one of the best recruiting classes we’ve ever had, present company included.”

“They are taking their cues from the leadership of the team, they’re nodding their heads and they’re putting their heads down.”

Senior Richmond Aririguzoh

On what he worked on over the off season and how he will be a different player as a senior

“The two biggest things were to come back in better shape and to help my teammates offensively by more than just scoring; getting used to double-teams, passing the ball out, being more of a facilitator when I have to but also staying aggressive when they need me to be aggressive.”

On the formation of the Jungle and the home crowd advantage in Jadwin

“It’s great; having those guys you go to class with and spend so much time with come and support you here makes you raise your level of play, especially when you hear the cheering.”

“It’s definitely key and something that we definitely welcome, so for us to have a student section that is ready to go is great.”

On being a local guy and playing with friends and family around

“It’s really exciting’ I’m blessed to be in the position I am in. People from can look up at me and see what I’ve been able to do with this team and what this team has been able to do with me. I thank Coach Henderson so much for this opportunity and I think it’s go-time.”