University of Richmond Athletics
Summer Update With David Gonzalvez
07/18/2007 | Men's Basketball
July 18, 2007
2007-08 ROSTER & BIOS | PHOTOS
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 2007-08 Richmond men's basketball team, including six new freshmen, are on campus this summer, working out, playing pick-up games and taking some classes. RichmondSpiders.com sat down with sophomore David Gonzalvez to get an update on how things are progressing. Gonzalvez was second on the team in scoring as a freshman last year, averaging 9.6 points per game.
Talk about what you and your teammates have been doing this summer here on campus.
"The returning guys took class in May term and the freshmen are taking classes now. We're all in the gym early in the morning and late at night. We're lifting weights four times a week and playing pick-up six times a week, just doing whatever we can do to get better."
With several guys having had two full years of the offense under their belts, and the upcoming sophomores having had one, how much further along is the team this year than last year at this point? "I feel like we are seniors going into this season. One year of struggling really made us stronger as a team mentally, and I think this summer's strength program was really good for all of us. I feel like we've got 10 returning seniors."
The returnees have been working hard in the weight room since the season ended, talk about the dedication of the team to get stronger and how that will help?
"Dan Geriot has increased 200 pounds in weight including squat, power clean and bench. That symbolizes how strong we are getting as a team. I think we are going to be able to finish a lot more around the basket, we'll be a lot faster and a lot more explosive. We will be able to push through our drives and cuts more. Last year we got pushed off the blocks and pushed when we cut, we looked weak. I feel like we're grown men coming back instead of little boys."
The freshmen have been here for a few weeks, what have you seen out of them?
"They play really hard with a lot of intensity. They listen and they want to learn. They have a lot of potential, with a few shooters, a few really fast, really explosive guards. They are very athletic compared to the last freshmen class, adding a different dynamic to the team. I feel like we'll be able to run a lot more, play better defense and they should help our rebounding out, which we had a lot of trouble with that last year."
How is it helping the freshmen class to have 10 players with experience to learn from?
"It's definitely easier to catch on than it was for us. We didn't have a whole class to look up to as far as learning the offense and learning how things should be done on and off the court. These freshmen have standing examples right beside them."
There's been some outside competition coming to the Robins Center for pick-up games, how has that helped the team?
"I think it's definitely good for the freshman and our entire team to get a different look. We've had some really good guys who play overseas and some good talent from around the Richmond area. I think it should help us, especially defensively, to have to guard some different styles of basketball. It's good to not just play against each other all the time."
Have you or any other players played anywhere else this summer?
"Jarhon and I are playing in a Pro-Am league. Some guys have gone to other campuses and played. Oumar played against Antonio Daniels (Washington Wizards) and Yi Jianlian (No. 6 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft). We've definitely played against some top competition."
