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Friday morning at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz was organized for Santa Cruz Warriors media day, and each player was eager to share their excitement about the upcoming season.
Today is Media Day! Keep an eye right here for all of the behind the scenes action! pic.twitter.com/1MjofrnG7L
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@DLeagueWarriors) November 6, 2015
Coming off a championship season, players seemed to still be carrying that excitement — including Coach Casey Hill. However, as inspiring as it was for the Santa Cruz Warriors to win the championship, Hill doesn't want that victory to affect this season.
"Winning the championship was phenomenal, but it doesn't impact the way I'm approaching this season. Our team is different and he have different development responsibilities," Hill said.
And the difference from last season shows in their training camp roster; the Santa Cruz Warriors have five returning players in camp.
Full 2015-16 Santa Cruz Warriors training camp roster
|
First |
Last |
Position |
Height |
Weight |
School |
Acquired |
|
Daniel |
Nwaelele |
G |
6'5" |
205 |
Air Force |
Returning Player |
|
Verdell |
Jones III |
G |
6'5" |
195 |
Indiana University |
Draft Pick |
|
Terrence |
Drisdom |
G |
6'5" |
175 |
Cal Poly Pomona |
Draft Pick |
|
Brandon |
Wooley |
G |
6'3" |
195 |
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
Draft Pick |
|
Ronnie |
Brewer |
F |
6'7" |
235 |
Arkansas |
Draft Pick |
|
Jarred |
Shaw |
F/C |
6'10" |
235 |
Utah State |
Draft Pick |
|
Myron |
Dempsey |
F |
6'6" |
225 |
Paul Quinn |
Local Tryout |
|
Dior |
Lowhorn |
F |
6'7" |
230 |
San Francisco |
Local Tryout |
|
Milos |
Milisavljevic |
G |
6'4" |
202 |
Serbia |
Returning Player |
|
Darington |
Hobson |
G |
6'7" |
207 |
University of New Mexico |
Returning Player |
|
Chris |
Udofia |
F |
6'6" |
200 |
Denver |
Affiliate Rule |
|
Xavier |
Henry |
G |
6'6" |
220 |
Kansas |
Affiliate Rule |
|
Anthony |
Vereen |
F |
6'6" |
245 |
Texas-Arlington |
Returning Player |
|
Maurice |
Baker |
G |
6'1" |
195 |
Oklahoma State |
Returning Player |
|
Earnest |
Ross |
G |
6'5" |
223 |
Missouri |
Draft Pick |
|
Juwan |
Staten |
G |
6'1" |
195 |
West Virginia |
Affiliate Rule |
There are also two affiliate players from the Golden State Warriors training camp this year, Chris Udofia and Xavier Henry. Both Henry and Udofia feel like they gained a lot from getting the opportunity to play in Golden State's training camp.
"Being on the same platform as the Golden State roster gives you more confidence and motivation to step your game up," Udofia said.
Henry was impressed with the atmosphere when he was playing with Golden State, and he felt invited into the Oakland family.
"The atmosphere alone could make you a better basketball player. They really care about you," Henry said.
.@JuwanStaten3 with a fresh look. #MediaDay2015 pic.twitter.com/AhGH8AXkA3
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@DLeagueWarriors) November 6, 2015
New to the Cruz: @XavierHenry on the media circuit. The former Laker is ready to make waves in Surf City! pic.twitter.com/DhmHsYZXdl
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@DLeagueWarriors) November 6, 2015
The 2015-2016 season for the Santa Cruz Warriors sounds like it's going to be one to remember. Everybody has their head in the right place.
When asked what his goals for this season are, Xavier Henry replied with a very thoughtful answer:
"Everybody can always help somebody else. That's being a basketball player. Not just a team player, but a basketball player. If you're a smart basketball player, you know how to feed off everybody else's energy. I think everyone has a good mindset coming into training camp to where everybody is willing to learn, everybody wants to do better and everybody wants to learn about everybody else's game so we can set each other up for strength rather than expose anybody else's weaknesses. So when you do that as a team you're going to continually do better and look better. It helps the team chemistry and everybody wants to play together. Right now is the time for us to grow as a team."
To listen to more clips from my interviews on Media Day with Udofia, Coach Hill, Staten, and Henry listen below:
Order of interviews:
Chris Udofia
Coach Casey Hill
Juwan Staten
Xavier Henry