Cammeron Woodyard Transcript

Here is the transcript of the interview Chris DiGiacomo (CD) and I (MP) had with freshman guard Cammeron Woodyard (CM). Woodyard is a 6-5 195 lb. freshman out of Winters Mill High School in Westminster, Maryland.

MP: You guys took the trip to Canada. You’re a freshman. What was that experience like, playing at a collegiate level with the team?

CW: I would say it was a positive experience. Coming in, practicing early in August and getting a few practices under your belt coming into the season. Overall, I think it was pretty good. Got to bond with the team a little bit off the court and on the court. I think we got closer and got better as a team overall.

MP: Now, from what I hear the coaches were very impressed with how you played up in Canada. How important is that to establish yourself early in the season to get more playing time later in the year?

CW: I see it as very important. Every chance you get to hit the floor, even in practice, you gotta play hard, show the coaches you could play at this level. If that’s what they’re saying, then obviously I think I’ve done an ok job of playing hard and I’m just gonna continue doing what I can do.

MP: What are some of the things you’re looking to improve on as the season goes on? Is it physically, maybe mentally, or maybe on and off the court?

CW: Everything. Like you just asked, on and off the court: class. That’s first and foremost. You can’t be a student-athlete without the student. You gotta take care of business in the classroom before you come on the court, step inside the lines. When you get on the court, it’s just play hard, mentally and physically and everything. Physically, I gotta stay strong, stay in it. And mentally, I gotta keep my head in the game.

CD: Certainly, this team has a lot of leaders with Jamelle and Talor. What would you say they have done for you so far in your time here and are you happy to play with them this year?

CW: Oh yeah, I’m very happy to play with everybody on the team. But the leaders, Jamelle, D-Mor [Danny Morrissey], Talor, everyone on the team that’s not a freshman, anyone that gives advice, I appreciate their advice. They give great advice, even if it’s not on the court. You know, get up every morning, go to breakfast to make sure you eat right, get enough sleep at night. It’s the little things that count, and they make sure that you know the little things and make sure you get things done.

MP: What’s been the biggest adjustment between high school and college so far?

CW: I would say the biggest adjustment would have to be, probably as far as the game, the speed of the game, how much more physical it is. The referees are going to make less calls as far as fouls and things like that. I just say the speed of the overall game, things like that.

MP: What are your personal goals for this year?

CW: Just to work hard, get a little bit of playing time, impress the coaches, and show them I can compete at a Big Ten level.

CD: Exciting atmosphere, obviously. How exciting is it going to be to be in a stadium like this? Obviously, you don’t see anything like this in high school. Just being on a big level like this, just explain some of your thoughts on it.

CW: It’s going to be very exciting. I came on my visit last year was when they played Michigan State here, beat them. It was huge. The arena erupted, and that was a big part of my commitment, just seeing the fans around the BJC, how many people come out and support and everything like that. It’s just overwhelming.

MP: You talked about academics before. What kind of classes are you taking right now and how do you feel that things are going? What kind of services does the team provide to make sure that you guys do well in the classroom?

CW: Well, right now I’m taking gen-ed classes. I’m undecided right now, so general education classes, things like that. Academically, we get things done because we have study hall, we have a team advisor, things like that. We have meetings set up, we have certain people we can go to, to make sure we make it to our meetings on time to help manage our time and things like that.