The Florida State University (FSU) Men’s Basketball team welcomed their students to their first-ever open practice, as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
FSU students along with the Tallahassee community all lined behind the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center as they awaited entrance to see their Noles basketball team practice for the first time in preparation for the upcoming season.
Head Coach Leonard Hamilton highlights how the student body has been supportive of their school’s basketball program.
“The fan support has been great over the years and I think we’ve only lost three games, I believe at home in the last three years, and a lot of it is because of the support we’ve gotten from our fans and the enthusiasm they bring into the games here,” Hamilton said. “It’s been a big difference in why we’ve developed one of the toughest places to play in the country.”
Coach Hamilton also spoke about the atmosphere the program is trying to implement between the players and the fans this year.
“There’s no doubt that we’re trying to usher a new era of emotion and excitement for our basketball program and this team needs it,” Hamilton exclaimed.
Last year, the Men’s basketball finished their season with a 29-8 record, finishing fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In the NCAA tournament, the team made it into the Sweet 16 before getting knocked off by Gonzaga 72-58
With a new season upcoming for FSU, their new lineup will feature the likes of, Dominik Olejniczak, Ty Hands, Patrick Williams, and many others. Williams currently measures in at 6’8 and is a five-star recruit hailing from Charlotte, N.C., and is someone who possesses a combination of size, shot making ability, and IQ.
Coach Hamilton, whose been the men’s basketball program’s Head Coach since 2002, spoke on the team’s newest addition.
“When we have freshmen [players], what we try to do is give them the opportunity to develop themselves and show what they’re capable of doing,” Hamilton said.
“We have tremendous confidence in Patrick, and we think he’s going to develop into a real good player,” Hamilton said. “What we’re going to do is let him go at his own pace and I’m sure before the end of the season, you’re going to see wonderful things out of him.”
The open practice also gave students a chance to shoot some hoops with players and win prizes like TV’s, Tablets, autographed basketballs, posters, and shirts.
Next week, the Seminoles will match up against the Barry University Buccaneers in an Exhibition game to kick-off their season. Game time is set for 7. P.M. (Eastern) at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.