Catching up with Devin Booker

Had a chance to catch up with Devin Booker last week. Here's our Q&A with the big man:

TI: What's your take on the pressure on you and Milton Jennings to elevate your play this year?
BOOKER: "We've kind of discussed that among ourselves off the court. We came to the conclusion that we definitely have to step it up. This year we'll be juniors, and we'll only have one more year after this. Six new freshmen on the team, coming in and learning. We need to pick up our game and show them how it's done while making our game better at the same time."

TI: What has Coach Brownell said to you and Milton about the expectations on your shoulders this season?
BOOKER: "He's definitely told us during our work days -- we had to work out like an hour a day -- he'd be watching and helping us on drills. He told us during those times, and many times."

TI: So what do you need to improve on to be the kind of player he expects you to be?
BOOKER: "I have to improve on my outside game, which I've been working on the whole summer. And I'm working on other stuff now. I've got a post game, and I know how to finish. It's just about me taking my game to the next level on the outside, and also driving through bigger opponents and finishing."

TI: So your back-to-the-basket stuff needs to get better?
BOOKER: "Yeah, definitely. I know there's going to be a lot of physical play out there. So I have to use my athleticism to gain advantages."

TI: You were a pretty good shooter last year from outside. Why was that the main thing you worked on during the offseason?
BOOKER: "I was OK, but I definitely think I should improve on that."

TI: You certainly weren't afraid to shoot it.
BOOKER: "No, definitely not (laughs). Never afraid."

TI: What's your take on Milton and how his game is changing?
BOOKER: "Milton is probably working more on the inside game. Last year, he was more of an outside guy. He liked being on the perimeter and felt comfortable being on the perimeter, and if he had to use his post game he would. Last year I was the exact opposite. So we're just trying to switch roles and be more comfortable."

TI: Do you have to be more vocal this year, you and Milton?
BOOKER: "Yeah, definitely. Last year, we weren't that vocal. We were vocal, but not as vocal as we should've been. We have to do better at that this year."

TI: Milton said he stayed here all summer. What was your schedule like over the summer?
BOOKER: "I came back for the Summer 2 session. I stayed home for half the summer."

TI: Is your weight about the same?
BOOKER: "Yeah. I think it's around 240 right now."

And we'll close with a few links from yesterday's ACC Operation Basketball media event in Charlotte:

-- David Teel writes about the ACC's attempt to repair its basketball image.

-- In the Washington Post, coaching turnover gives the ACC an infusion of talent on the sidelines.

-- In the Charlotte Observer, a piece on Harrison Barnes wanting to do something special.

-- And in the ACC Sports Journal, quote of the day comes from Mr. Brownell:

“My daughter’s 13. Tanner’s 21. She can’t get married until she’s about 30, so Tanner’s going to have to wait awhile. But I might make an exception for Tanner. He’s just a super kid.”

LW