(Photo: Kristina Vicario/WCSN)
Samantha Pell also contributed to this article.
For any program, with change comes challenges and for Arizona State, these challenges come in the form of eight newcomers.
From additions like freshman forward Egor Koulechov to Valparaiso transfer Richie Edwards, each present the Sun Devils with varying skills and talents, but also major areas in need of improvement.
With every newcomer, except for Penn State transfer Jermaine Marshall (flu), playing in the Maroon and Gold (M and G) game was more a chance for experience and to play in front of the fans than anything else as head coach Herb Sendek said.
While each and every one of the eight newcomers didn’t play their best during the Maroon and Gold game, a certain newcomer in particular impressed Sendek.
“I think the one guy that really stood out tonight with his performance was junior transfer Shaquielle (McKissic),” Sendek said. “He shot the ball well, he made shots. I thought his athleticism really stood out for us.”
Leading all scorers with 33 points during the scrimmage, McKissic got up and down the court with speed and agility in addition to being a vocal presence on the floor.
“They threw a lot at me,” McKissic said. “It’s a real learning experience. I’ve never had to learn this much ever in my life, but the players like (junior forward) Jonathan Gilling and E.J. (sophomore post player Eric Jacobsen), they make it all much more easier and they just take me up under their wing and I just listen.”
In addition to McKissic, junior college transfer Sai Tummala, Michigan State transfer Brandon Kearney, Edwards, and Koulechov had 13 points apiece.
Standing out from the pack was Edwards as he was one of the main vocal leaders out on the court, hustling and putting in the extra effort on multiple plays along with McKissic.
“I’m going into this thing and everybody has one goal and I don’t need to say it and I don’t want to say it,” McKissic said. ”We’re just plowing along and getting it done at practice. It’s going to take one day after another but everybody is up for it. If they weren’t we wouldn’t be this far right now.”
Returning players adding depth
While coach Sendek continues to be impressed with what his newcomers add to the game, he was excited to see power players from last season show up in the M and G game. Bo Barnes had a total of 30 points, a product of his multiple threes, swift mobility with the ball, and strength from the perimeter. Sendek was pleased to see the result of Barnes’s hard work in the offseason.
“He has had a really good preseason for us,” Sendek said. ” He’s worked really hard over the offseason and I thought he too, showed a great motor and played good basketball.”
Eric Jacobsen showed his aggression, frequently diving on the ground for loose balls and acquiring a total of 13 points. His toughness and physicality mimicked that of center Jordan Bachynski who did not play due to a sprained ankle. Sendek believes he will be back by next week.
Jonathan Gilling was another player whose strong passes and playmaking abilities stood out. “Whenever he’s involved it’s usually the right thing and it’s usually better,” Sendek said.
For others, passing the ball seemed like a weakness as the Maroon team had too many turnovers as a result of weak or untimely bounce passes. Gilling set up many scoring opportunities which Jahii Carson took advantage of.
Carson shined in the spotlight once again with a total of 23 points, many of them coming from way behind the three-point line. Carson’s speed and endurance propelled him throughout the entire game while other players showed their exhaustion when the fourth quarter came around. Luckily, Carson has been exhibiting a leadership role, helping to include and integrate the newcomers into the program and that showed on the court last night as well.
“He (Carson) is easily the best player I’ve ever played with in my life and that says a lot,” McKissic said. “I’m excited for the season; extremely excited.”
Come regular season, only five guys will get a spot on the court. Those spots will be filled with guys who show how they can excel in practice and perform in high-caliber, game-time simulations. “Practices are hard, competitive, everybody wants those minutes, and everybody is working hard,” McKissic assured.
These authors can be reached via email kvicario@asu.edu and sjpell@asu.edu or on twitter @KristinaV_18 and @sammyjade18
