NORFOLK, Va. - ODUSports.com is working on a variety of ways to continue to give Monarch Nation informative and creative content. ODUSports.com had the opportunity to talk to Williamsburg-native and rising redshirt senior on the Old Dominion men's basketball team, Xavier Green, about the past, present and future.
Q: You attended Williamsburg Christian Academy, where you scored over 1,000 points for your high school career and helped lead your team to the state semifinals. When you reflect back on those days, what stands out to you?
XG: "Looking back at my high school days, I can honestly say that's when I really fell in love with the game of basketball. I loved my team and made some really good friends as well, some who I can call brothers, who I still talk to everyday. That's really what stands out to me, because they are always here for me and supporting me, on and off the court."
Q: In 2016-17, you redshirted, how did that year help you on and off the court?
XG: "My redshirt year helped a lot because my body wasn't ready, as well as the mental aspect and that year helped me develop and understand the coaching style and how I could help my team. Off the court, that year was just easier on my academics, because I wasn't playing so I wasn't as tired as others, which helped me stay ahead in school."
Q: As a sophomore, you were named the MVP of the Conference USA Tournament. You also garnered C-USA All-Tournament Team, C-USA All-Defensive Team, ODU's Cal Bowdler Most Improved Player Award, as well as the team's Mark West Defensive Player of the Year honors. What do you attribute all that success to? What are your favorite memories from that season? What did it mean to you to get Old Dominion back in the NCAA Tournament?
XG: "I attribute all that success to the work I put in over the summer and just trusting my coaches. Motivating myself everyday saying 'I wasn't really on anyone's scouting report' to making sure teams knew who I was and that was the extra fuel. Plus, the Preseason Poll had us like 4th or 5th place in the conference.
My favorite memory was obviously winning the C-USA Championship, but I think when I came home and we had the NCAA Selection Show that was probably one of the best feelings. Most of the ODU family was there, which was amazing. It meant a lot to be the team to get ODU back in the NCAA Tournament, because we knew ODU had been so close the previous couple years, but never could quite get over the hump, but we actually did it and that goes down in the history books forever."
Q: Last season, you ranked nationally for minutes played and field goals attempted. How do you think you handled your expanded role? What all did you learn from last season?
XG: "I think the expanded role last year was expected, but I didn't really know what it felt like until I got out on the court, so it was an adjustment especially not winning as many games as the year before. I learned a lot last year, off the court as well as on the court. On the court, I learned what shots I needed to take, how to get them and realized how to play through bad nights."
Q: Looking ahead, Old Dominion returns its top six scorers from last season. What are your hopes for this team next season? What have you been working on the most in the offseason?
XG: "My hopes for next season is to win another championship and take ODU back to the NCAA Tournament. In the off-season, I have been working on mostly my body and increasing my explosiveness."
Q: In closing, anything you would you like to tell Monarch Nation?
XG: "I would just like to thank Monarch Nation for always supporting me and my teammates. Without you guys none of this success would have been possible!"
1 on 1 with Xavier Green
