On Feb. 29, the Cal State East Bay basketball teams swept the CCAA Freshman of the Year awards as Jacari Whitfield and Micah Walker were honored as the top rookies in the league. The honors marked the first time in conference history that a school has collected both basketball awards and brought East Bay's total CCAA Freshman of the Year winners to four since joining the league in 2009-10. Both players took time out to talk to eastbaypioneers.com
about the award, the season and the future of Pioneer basketball.
Jacari Whitfield | Micah Walker
Micah Walker
Watch video of Micah's interview
eastbaypioneers.com: What does it mean to you to be named CCAA Freshman of the Year?
Micah Walker: It's definitely a very humbling and great honor. It's really cool to be recognized by the conference.
EB: As a freshman you could have been shell-shocked by the level of play in the CCAA, what helped you adjust?
MW: I think definitely my team. They are a great influence and there are a lot of great leaders on the team. They definitely stepped in and helped all of the freshmen get used to the physical play and helped us learn all of the different defenses and offenses. They just really welcomed us into the team.
EB: What's your basketball background and how has that influenced you?
MW: Basically everyone in my family has played sports and basketball is the most popular. I have a great support system at home. I think my parents made every game except maybe five in So Cal so I'm definitely blessed with a great family.
EB: What was your first CCAA Tournament experience like?
MW: It was a lot of fun. It was nerve-wracking. The game was very loud and you could feel the tension but it was definitely a great experience and one to remember.
EB: You hit the game winning shot in the upset over Cal Poly Pomona. What were you thinking coming out of the timeout before you hit the shot?
MW: That was crazy. Honestly, we didn't even really have a set play. I'll never forget this [Coach] just said 'we're either going to win at the buzzer or we're going to win in overtime.' We all were just like, 'okay.' We just went out there. I honestly couldn't even tell you what I was thinking. I think as an athlete you kind of just go off of instincts and all of us were kind of just going off of instinct. Luckily I made it and we got the “W.”
EB: Coach Barcomb has talked about you being one of the leaders on the team and bringing presence and leadership to the court. How did you do that coming in as a freshman and how do you influence your teammates?
MW: It was definitely kind of intimidating being a freshman and having to take on some leadership roles. A lot of the upperclassmen and teammates helped me grow into my leadership role. I definitely give a lot of credit to my teammates in helping me get into the role as a leader here.
EB: Your team is committed to success on and off the court, how has the transition to college life as a student-athlete been for you?
MW: It's definitely a lot more time consuming as far as basketball, coming from high school to college. It's more serious, it's not just a game anymore, it's more like your job. As a team we pride ourselves on getting good grades, being good role models and just taking care of business on and off the court. As a team, we just kind of have that mentality.
EB: There's a lot of youth on the team, where do you see the program going over the next three years?
MW: I honestly see us going nowhere but up. We do have a lot of youth on the team. If you look across the conference everyone is all older pretty much but us. I think it does nothing but help us. We have three freshmen who got to experience playing in the playoffs their first year and now next year we know what it's like and we know how we want it to be. I think we're just going to continue to build on this and take the program where we want it to be.
EB: What was your favorite memory from this season?
MW: I think it would have to be our four-game win streak. We were really playing some great basketball. We had to overcome a lot of different injuries and obstacles, but that was when we really came together as a team and took care of business.
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Jacari Whitfield
eastbaypioneers.com: What was your reaction when you heard the news about being named Freshman of the Year?
Jacari Whitfield: I was overwhelmed with excitement. What a nice award to win in your first season of collegiate basketball.
EB: When you heard the news about
Micah Walker, from the Pioneer women's basketball team and yourself receiving the Freshman of the Year award which never happened in Cal State East Bay basketball history and the CCAA in the same season, what were your thoughts?
JW: When hearing the news about making basketball history at Cal State East Bay, I not only was happy for Micah and myself, but the Pioneer Athletic Department as well. This award is a reflection of all the intercollegiate sports on campus
EB: What did you think of your freshman season?
JW: I was happy with my play this season. In some aspects of my game, I could have done better.
EB: What differences did you experience playing at the college level compared to high school basketball?
JW: At the collegiate level, the players are bigger and stronger. The college game is faster and played with more intensity than High School.
EB: How do you feel the Pioneers will do next season?
JW: We lose two key players in
Roshun Wynne and
Adam Watts. We have a good nucleus of quality players coming back. With our returning players and new recruits, we'll have a strong team and compete for the CCAA Championship Tournament.
EB: After two quarters on campus, what do you think about Cal State East Bay?
JW: I love Cal State East Bay. It's a real diverse campus. The students, faculty and staff are friendly and will help you out in any way.
EB: Who is your favorite athlete?
JW: Chris Paul – L.A. Clippers
EB: What's your favorite food?
JW: Candy
EB: What's your favorite movie?
JW: “Paid in Full”
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