A Q&A With Andre Hollins

by PJS on Feb 4, 2011 11:36 AM CST in Gopher Basketball

If you're anything like me, you can't get enough news and notes about future Golden Gophers basketball players. With that in mind, I reached out to Minnesota commit Andre Hollins and asked him if he'd do a Q&A with us. Andre was kind enough to share some of his why he committed to Minnesota, his role on his high school team and what position he wants to play when he suits up in maroon and gold next season.

Many thanks to Andre for helping us get to know him a bit better.

Q: Andre, Minnesota fans are obviously excited about you becoming a Golden Gopher. How closely are you following the Gophers this year and the Big Ten in general?

A: Let me tell you first that I am as excited as anyone to play for Minnesota! I'm following them really close. I'm watching them play Indiana right now. I've seen pretty much every game that's been televised.

Q: What have been some of the highlights of your senior year at White Station? What can you tell us about your role on that team that we can't discern from box scores?

A: A highlight so far was when our team spent the weekend together and bonded at a camp lock-in at Second Presbyterian Church. My role on my team is the leader, on and off the court. Just leading by example, and trying to teach the younger guys the lessons I have learned from my coaches and those players before me.

Q: Many Minnesota fans are wondering where you'll fit into the team. Do you prefer playing point guard or shooting guard? Do you consider yourself more of a distributor or scorer? There's been talk about you potentially playing point guard for the Gophers. Is that where you want to play?

A: I like playing both positions. As of now I would say I'm more of a scorer because I need to be for my team, but I can distribute the ball and create for my teammates. Yes, I do want to play point guard next year.

Q: No matter what position you play, any guard will be lucky to play with Minnesota's great front-line of Trevor Mbakwe, Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson and Mo Walker. Have you gotten to know those guys at all? What do you think you can do with such a solid front-court?

A: When I took my official visit there I met the guys and got to know them a little bit but other than that, not really. I think that will help me a ton because they have great hands and are very skilled big men.

Q: Tell us about your recruiting process. Which coaches were actively recruiting you from Minnesota? What made you choose Minnesota?

A: Coach Jirsa, Coach T. Smith, and Coach Taylor. I choose Minnesota because it felt right. The opportunity to play in one of the best, if not the best, conference in college bball and for one of the great coaches was just to great to pass up.

Q: What aspects of your game are you working on? What are you trying to get better at?

A: I'm trying to get better at analyzing the game and making crunch time decisions. I'm trying to become more of a coach on the floor. I'm also trying to become a superior ball handler, my handles are ok right now.

Q: Is there any guard in the college or pro ranks that you might be compared to? Which player's game do you think yours is most like?

A: lol, I honestly don't know who I would compare my game to. One of our assistant coach's said I remind him of Jimmer Fredette from BYU and Kemba Walker from UConn.

Q: Finally, what are your goals for your college career on the court and off? What are your academic goals and interests? What would you like to accomplish as a Golden Gopher on the court?

A: On the court, I want to carry my success from high school to college by playing the last game of the year, which would be the NCAA Championship game

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As far as I am concerned

he cannot get here fast enough. Sounds like a winner.

by Texas Gopher on Feb 4, 2011 11:48 AM CST reply actions

Especially

if he wants to play PG. I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed, but we don’t seem to have any

"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backward in a mirror" ~George Carlin

by thewild_viking_twins on Feb 4, 2011 11:50 AM CST up reply actions

He should be excited...

He is being counted on to start immediately next year. If Mav is our starting PG we are in for a loooooonnnngggg year. I think we will see a true freshment starting back-court of Coleman and Hollins next year with Austin Hollins being the biggest competition at the 2 guard. Nice interiew PJS.

by Narby on Feb 4, 2011 11:56 AM CST reply actions

Awesome!

Thanks for doing this PJS (and Andre)! I am excited for him to come here next year, we are definitely gonna need both him and Joe Coleman to contribute right away.

by GreasyLlama on Feb 4, 2011 1:03 PM CST reply actions

YES

a combo of Jimmer and Kemba!

book your New Orleans hotels for the Final Four next year

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Feb 4, 2011 2:45 PM CST reply actions

Thanks PJS

That was great work to snag that interview, a lot of fun to read

"Brian Cardinal left Purdue being the only Boilermaker to receive both the "Mr. Hustle" Award and the "Courage" Award four years in a row"

by B.C. 4 MVP on Feb 4, 2011 9:10 PM CST reply actions

Thanks, guys.

I was pleased to see Andre wants to play point. We’ll certainly need him to excel there.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Feb 4, 2011 10:24 PM CST reply actions

After Andre

The Gopher I’m most excited to see step on the court next year is Oto. I feel like he can have some solid minutes as the primary backup 3/4, especially after spending a year practicing against both Rodney and Mbakwe.

by saulsa on Feb 5, 2011 8:40 AM CST reply actions