University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Bruce Kluckhohn
Q&A with Amir Coffey
12/19/2018 8:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball
This Q&A originally appeared in the Minnesota basketball game day program on Nov. 12, 2018. Interview by Tommy Sletten, Athletic Communications Student Assistant.
Q: Coming off of shoulder surgery, how did your summer of recovery go?
A: It went well, just a lot of rehab. I lifted a lot to get my shoulder right. Otherwise, team workouts went well, and we've just gotten a lot of workouts in
Q: How do you feel about the new unit of newcomers coming in?
A: I feel like our freshman coming in are a fresh new class. We got a couple transfers coming in as well that add a lot of value to the team, as well as our grad transfer Brock (Stull), who's a really good shooter. I have a lot of confidence in our new guys.
Q: As a Minnesota native, what does it mean to play for the University of Minnesota?
A: It means a lot. I grew up watching the Gophers play, I came to the games, my dad played here, and I grew up around Gopher fans. It means a lot to put that jersey on.
Q: Other than your dad, who did you enjoy watching play here before you came?
A: Some of my favorites were the two Hollins' (Austin and Andre) because of the way they played. High energy guys who were good shooters, which was exciting to watch. Trevor Mbakwe was fun too, the dude was a beast down there. There have been a few good teams over the years.
Q: What is the connection like having your dad as a former Gopher great?
A: It's cool, he tells me all of his stories of when he was here. He was on some pretty good teams, and they went to the Elite Eight, so he told me what that was like. Coming here myself, there's always people coming up to me, telling me about my dad and how they were here when he was playing, so that's pretty cool.
Q: What's the trash talk and banter like between you and your dad?
A: He jokes with me about it sometimes (laughs). Hopefully this year I can contest what he and his team did and we can make our own run with this team.
Q: What has been your favorite basketball memory with Minnesota?
A: I would say my first (NCAA) Tournament game. Even though we lost, it was still pretty cool, something that young players dream about their whole life is to make it to the Tournament. Even though we lost, it was still a good experience, and hopefully I can add to that this year.
Q: How has your leadership improved since you started at the 'U' three years ago?
A: Being a junior now I've had to move more into a leadership role. In the past years we had Nate (Mason) and other older guys who had been here awhile, so now I'm looked at as one of the older guys myself with a lot of younger guys on the team. I just try to help guys learn from what I know, which is what I needed from the older guys when I was a freshman.
Q: Favorite activity with the team off the court?
A: We play a lot of video games back at the apartment. A lot of 2K, a lot of Madden. Eric Curry is the best 2k player, and not going to lie, he's the best Madden player too
Q: Coming off of shoulder surgery, how did your summer of recovery go?
A: It went well, just a lot of rehab. I lifted a lot to get my shoulder right. Otherwise, team workouts went well, and we've just gotten a lot of workouts in
Q: How do you feel about the new unit of newcomers coming in?
A: I feel like our freshman coming in are a fresh new class. We got a couple transfers coming in as well that add a lot of value to the team, as well as our grad transfer Brock (Stull), who's a really good shooter. I have a lot of confidence in our new guys.
Q: As a Minnesota native, what does it mean to play for the University of Minnesota?
A: It means a lot. I grew up watching the Gophers play, I came to the games, my dad played here, and I grew up around Gopher fans. It means a lot to put that jersey on.
Q: Other than your dad, who did you enjoy watching play here before you came?
A: Some of my favorites were the two Hollins' (Austin and Andre) because of the way they played. High energy guys who were good shooters, which was exciting to watch. Trevor Mbakwe was fun too, the dude was a beast down there. There have been a few good teams over the years.
Q: What is the connection like having your dad as a former Gopher great?
A: It's cool, he tells me all of his stories of when he was here. He was on some pretty good teams, and they went to the Elite Eight, so he told me what that was like. Coming here myself, there's always people coming up to me, telling me about my dad and how they were here when he was playing, so that's pretty cool.
Q: What's the trash talk and banter like between you and your dad?
A: He jokes with me about it sometimes (laughs). Hopefully this year I can contest what he and his team did and we can make our own run with this team.
Q: What has been your favorite basketball memory with Minnesota?
A: I would say my first (NCAA) Tournament game. Even though we lost, it was still pretty cool, something that young players dream about their whole life is to make it to the Tournament. Even though we lost, it was still a good experience, and hopefully I can add to that this year.
Q: How has your leadership improved since you started at the 'U' three years ago?
A: Being a junior now I've had to move more into a leadership role. In the past years we had Nate (Mason) and other older guys who had been here awhile, so now I'm looked at as one of the older guys myself with a lot of younger guys on the team. I just try to help guys learn from what I know, which is what I needed from the older guys when I was a freshman.
Q: Favorite activity with the team off the court?
A: We play a lot of video games back at the apartment. A lot of 2K, a lot of Madden. Eric Curry is the best 2k player, and not going to lie, he's the best Madden player too
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Beat Fighting Camels
Tuesday, December 23
Highlights: Gophers 78, Campbell 50
Sunday, December 21
Cade Tyson's 38 Point Performance
Tuesday, December 16
Highlights: Gophers 89, TX Southern 53
Sunday, December 14