PC Media Day Notes and Quotes: Kofane, Cotton, Henton

All three members of the Friarbasketball.com attended Providence’s media day last week, which was a terrific event providing an opportunity to speak with Ed Cooley and all members of this year’s team.

Below you’ll find a variety of quotes and notes from Brice Kofane, Bryce Cotton and LaDontae Henton, following up our video interview with Kris Dunn and media day stories on Kadeem Batts, Carson Desrosiers and Sidiki Johnson.

We’ll have highlights from virtually every scholarship player, as well as Ed Cooley in the coming days as well.

Brice Kofane: The redshirt sophomore power forward returned home this summer to Cameroon for the first time in years and admitted that it was difficult coming back to the United States, yet he realizes that this is what he has to do as a mature individual to get to where he wants to be in his life.  He spent time in New Jersey working out this summer as well (where MarShon Brooks and now Kadeem Batts have spent time) and said he’s currently weighing in at 210 pounds.  He hopes to get up to 220 by the start of the season.

From Kofane, “I was mostly working on being a better finisher at the rim and I also worked on conditioning.  I’m getting a little stronger, my goal is to weigh 220 by the time the season starts.”

“The biggest adjustment for me last year was having a better understanding of the game.  I was able to take plays off before.  Sometimes (last season) the game seemed to go too fast for me, and I’ve learned over the summer to slow the game down, how to move better without the ball, and how to use angles better.”

“I really enjoy being around these guys.  We stay on each other about working hard.  We call each other late at night to get a workout in, and that’s something we didn’t have in the past here.  The culture is different and I think everyone has bought into what Coach is trying to do.  I have a really good feeling about this season.”

Bryce Cotton: A year removed from transitioning into a regular role in the Friar rotation, I wondered where Cotton’s confidence stood in comparison to a season ago, but the junior sniper insisted that he’s no more confident than he was heading into last season, “My confidence is pretty much at the same point as it was a year ago, but I want to just focus on continuing to work hard because that’s what’s got me to this point.  I’m going to do whatever I can do to help the team get wins.”

On his role this year: “I couldn’t tell you, but whatever it is they have planned for me I’m willing to do it.”

His offseason focus?  “Creating for others and helping my teammates get better because that’s something my teammates have helped me in the past with as well.”

LaDontae Henton: One of the most prolific players in Michigan high school basketball history, Henton headed East to head to Providence last year after de-committing from Dayton in the spring.  For all of his production Henton was overlooked by Michigan State, a decision that Tom Izzo may regret after Henton’s terrific freshman season.

The Friar forward spends no time worrying about Michigan State, or any other school for that matter, noting that Providence is the right place for him – a school he really wanted to attend and one that has worked out well for him.  Like many of his teammates, Henton is fine playing whatever role the coaching staff draws up for him, be it at small forward or the 4 spot.

From Henton: “I just learned a lot last year. I want to be the best player I can be offensively and defensively so we can get more wins this year.  I want to be a better teammate.”

“I just want to do all the right things for the team.  We’re a better team chemistry-wise this year than we were last season, so hopefully we’ll win more games.  As a team we’re more together.  We’ve got better leadership.”

“This summer I focused on my ball handling a lot, my shooting ability and creating my own shot.”

Email Kevin at kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

2 Comments

1. 

   dan kelly

   October 17, 2012 at 12:22 pm

   Friar fans would be proud to see that Brooklyn has high hopes for MarShon Brooks this year. See if you agree with a Brooklyn analysis of MarShon’s game here:http://brooklynfans.com/2012/10/nets-player-rankings-6/
2. 

   Brian

   October 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm

   Did anyone think to ask Cotton why there were rampant transfer rumors this summer? And what convinced him to stay?

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