North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: Marques Johnson
10/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Raleigh, N.C. NC State was in a unique situation last season, having three players on the squad that could practice but were not allowed to play due to NCAA transfer rules. Over the next few weeks, GoPack.com will catch up with all three players and give the Wolfpack fans a chance to get to know each one a bit more before the 2007-08 regular season starts.
This week’s player is sophomore guard Marques Johnson. Johnson had his eye on NC State during the recruiting period coming out of high school, but decided to go and play at Tennessee instead. After playing in four games during the fall semester last season, Johnson decided he needed a changed and reconsidered NC State.
Johnson enrolled at NC State for the spring semester, as was able to practice with the Pack the second half of last season. Now Johnson will be one of the players asked to fill the void in the backcourt by the graduation of four-year starter at the point, Engin Atsr. He will have to miss the fall semester games, but will be able to suit up in mid-December.
GoPack: Why did you leave Tennessee last season?
Johnson: Tennessee really just was not the right fit for me. NC State opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and I thought this is the place where I should be playing.
GoPack: You were recruited by NC State out of high school right?
Johnson: When I was coming out of high school, NC State at that time was in my final four at the end of recruiting. I really liked the program back then, and obviously I like it now.
GoPack: What was different about NC State this time around?
Johnson: I would say mostly the opportunity to play right now. I’ve always had a bond with Coach (Larry) Harris and seeing the opportunity at my position right now was a big part of it.
GoPack: Was it hard to leave Tennessee after one semester?
Johnson: It was a hard choice to leave. I made a lot of friends down there, and it was hard to leave all those new relationships I made.
GoPack: What did you work on the most over the summer?
Johnson: I would say really my all-around game, but in particular my shooting.
GoPack: What is your role on this team?
Johnson: Right now I think my style is a good fit. I’ll be playing pretty much both at point and shooting guard. There is a chance to get playing time this season, but I’ll just play wherever the coaches need me to that particular game.
GoPack: What do you prefer to play?
Johnson: I’d probably rather be out there as the point guard.
GoPack: Do you think of it as a positive that you are at NC State now?
Johnson: Getting to know all the guys and the coaching staff for this season, I couldn’t be in a better situation. I really feel myself growing as a player, and I’m just excited to get out on the court.
This week’s player is sophomore guard Marques Johnson. Johnson had his eye on NC State during the recruiting period coming out of high school, but decided to go and play at Tennessee instead. After playing in four games during the fall semester last season, Johnson decided he needed a changed and reconsidered NC State.
Johnson enrolled at NC State for the spring semester, as was able to practice with the Pack the second half of last season. Now Johnson will be one of the players asked to fill the void in the backcourt by the graduation of four-year starter at the point, Engin Atsr. He will have to miss the fall semester games, but will be able to suit up in mid-December.
GoPack: Why did you leave Tennessee last season?
Johnson: Tennessee really just was not the right fit for me. NC State opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and I thought this is the place where I should be playing.
GoPack: You were recruited by NC State out of high school right?
Johnson: When I was coming out of high school, NC State at that time was in my final four at the end of recruiting. I really liked the program back then, and obviously I like it now.
GoPack: What was different about NC State this time around?
Johnson: I would say mostly the opportunity to play right now. I’ve always had a bond with Coach (Larry) Harris and seeing the opportunity at my position right now was a big part of it.
GoPack: Was it hard to leave Tennessee after one semester?
Johnson: It was a hard choice to leave. I made a lot of friends down there, and it was hard to leave all those new relationships I made.
GoPack: What did you work on the most over the summer?
Johnson: I would say really my all-around game, but in particular my shooting.
GoPack: What is your role on this team?
Johnson: Right now I think my style is a good fit. I’ll be playing pretty much both at point and shooting guard. There is a chance to get playing time this season, but I’ll just play wherever the coaches need me to that particular game.
GoPack: What do you prefer to play?
Johnson: I’d probably rather be out there as the point guard.
GoPack: Do you think of it as a positive that you are at NC State now?
Johnson: Getting to know all the guys and the coaching staff for this season, I couldn’t be in a better situation. I really feel myself growing as a player, and I’m just excited to get out on the court.
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