Jake Diebler and Men's Basketball Spoke with the Media
10/9/2024 2:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
On play style:
“We want to play a style that helps our players grow and develop into that next level talent.”
Coach Diebler on Colin White:
"I just love how much he cares about Ohio state. He plays hard everyday and he’s very coachable.”
On defensive boot camp this week:
“It is defensive boot camp. The practice plan has been heavily shifted towards that side of the ball. As we get into game prep the next couple weeks we need to solidify our defensive foundation.”
On his play style being compared to other schools:
“I want our guy’s playing with great freedom, being aggressive and confident. As a coach you have to create space for your players’ talent to shine through.”
On the team currently:
“I think we have a great combination of athleticism and skill in our front court. We’re talented, we’re versatile, we have multiple guys who can play different positions, but the inexperience is something we have to answer.”
On how he plans to build on his leadership
“By explaining to guys how we are going to play basketball at Ohio State this year; really fast, really tough, really gritty and try to win big time games. That are the only points I tell my teammates and my coaches. I want to win big time games here.”
On excitement to play fast this year
“It’s definitely fun, not at practice with how much running we are doing, but fun when were are playing fast and there is no set offense. It’s super hard to guard. It will give us an advantage with all the athletic ability and all the shooters we have on our team. I believe that’s playing to our strengths and we are going to be alright this year.”
On what the team is like under Coach Diebler:
“Very intense very fast paced. I feel like winning is a staple that stays at the top of everything. So everything we do is going towards that goal and it's family, definitely culture and family. Those are some of the biggest things.”
On Coach Diebler moving towards a positionless basketball and the benefits of it:
“I think it's a huge benefit. You see in the NBA now you see those teams that are making those deep runs in the tournament where anybody can do anything at any given time on the court, it opens up to a lot more options all around the game. I think the program moving in that direction is honestly great”
On the difference of this year's team versus last year's team:
“The culture on the team, obviously the last two years with this program especially has left a bad taste in everybody's mouth. Definitely being part of the team last year we did really well, but being part of the losing stretch it never feels right. The motivation off of those two seasons are really what's pushing us forward to keep getting better keep pushing because every day you come to work, you're like dang, we don't want to feel like that again.”
On Jake Diebler and turning the program around
“He’s just all about the right things, getting everybody involved, and playing fast. He is really engaged as a coach. In practice everyday, all the drills, he is a really great guy and wants to play super fast. If we’re walking the ball down the court he stops practice, yells at us, it’s just been really great.”
On what Ohio State fans will see watching him play this year
“A lot of energy with anything out there. I’ve been working a lot, shoot threes, dunk the ball a lot, get rebounds, and get out in transition. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
On the recruiting process of coming sight unseen:
“It was one big zoom call with coaches and they also wanted to speak with my parents two days afterSo it was basically like two Zoom calls and that was it. I decided I would come here, but I've spoken to especially a lot with the Coach Justice like the whole summer nearly every other day we were we were talking and also with Coach Diebler, but we didn't actually talk much before I decided to come here.”
On his favorite thing about the U.S.:
"My favorite thing here, I would say are probably the resources we have here, like the gym and stuff around you. It is like something really special something you don't experience especially in Croatia, that is probably the best thing."
On feelings towards the first game in Las Vegas:
“We can't wait, we have been counting the days. That's really the only thing that's on our minds right now. Cincinnati is also coming up, we are getting ready for it.”
On how he is a consistent player
“It’s a mindset now. I’m trying to build my mind up to be the same person every day. I still have my errors, everybody has their errors. I try to have that mindset of, I’ going to do this and I’m not goin to wait around and be lazy”
On how he is different from last year
“It’s way different. I grew up. I had to mature, I had to become the person that I wanted to become.”
On biggest lessons he took from Kansas state:
“Just stay in the moment. Be where your feet are. That’s probably one of the main things, not looking ahead, just waking up each day and knowing that you have to be in the moment. I was going through a lot of adversity and I knew I had to be in the moment to get through it. Also, just trusting in God. Listening to the word each day and growing in my faith.”
On being healthy:
“I’m so excited, a little optimistic just because it happened and I was out all year. I’m working each day outside with the guys, on the court and with the trainer, Tony, to make sure I’m completely healthy and ready to go for this whole season. I can’t wait to get out there.”
On what made him decide to come back:
“Me and Coach Diebler always had a good relationship. Being able to relate and talk to him, understand me, know who I am, and what I want out of my last year. Also, me being able to help him win and help our team win, that’s what we really talked about. I feel like this is the best place for me to be, I never really wanted to leave. Being able to come back home after losing my grandfather while I was away, it makes me feel I’m close to home and close to him. I remember those moments being in the gym with him and my family. When I came back I just felt that family presence.”
On how he is different:
“I’m a lot different, I’ve grown a lot in my game. At South Carolina I wasn’t always consistent or efficient, but I was definitely able to have some success there. I was able to play through some mistakes, go through some adversity, and we went to the tournament. To be able to have some experience under my belt, play in a lot of games in college basketball, has definitely helped me and my maturity. I wanted to bring the back to Ohio State Basketball and turn it around.”
On what he is looking forward to this season
“We look forward to play. We’re all ready to play. We’ve been playing everyday at practice and we always look forward to playing with each other.”
On the impact he wants to make on this team
“I want to impact winning, whatever way that is. I hope that’s on the court, that’s what everyone hopes for. I want to impact winning in a certain way. I came here to win. I’ve been a winner my whole life. I’ve come to Ohio State to win and we fully intend on doing that. I just want to impact winning in a certain way that helps the team.
On growing up in Ohio and coming to Ohio State
“It’s special. Ive been an Ohio State Football fan my entire life and an Ohio State Basketball fan as well. It’s a special feeling to come up growing up in Ohio and then throwing on the Ohio State jersey today. It’s a surreal feeling to be here and have an Ohio State jersey with my name on the back, that’s something I’ve always wanted.”
