May 16, 2022

Nowell, Massoud Discuss New Coaching Staff, Look Forward to 2022-23 Season

Posted May 16, 2022 12:10 AM

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State men’s basketball players Markquis Nowell and Ismael (Ish) Massoud met with the media on Friday afternoon (May 13) to discuss the transition to new head coach Jerome Tang and his coaching staff, spring workouts with just two players and a look ahead to the 2022-23 season.

Nowell is coming off a stellar season in 2021-22, in which, the transfer earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors after placing in the league’s top-15 in scoring (12th/12.4 ppg.) and top-5 in assists (2nd/5.0 apg.), steals (1st/2.2 spg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd/1.97). In addition to leading the Wildcats in assists and steals, he was second in 3-point field goals (43) and free throws (68) and third in scoring, double-digit scoring games (19) and 20-point games (3). He also posted three double-doubles (points/assists), which are the most such double-doubles in school history for both a career and a single season.

Massoud was one of just two Wildcats to see action in all 31 games in 2021-22, starting 18. He had a strong ending to the season, averaging 10.7 points on 45.5 percent (10-of-22) shooting and 4.0 rebounds per game in the last 3 games, including 13 points vs. West Virginia in the Big 12 Championship. He scored in double figures in 11 games, including 5 times in Big 12 play, with a season-high 17 points vs. Green Bay on Dec. 12. For the season, he averaged 6.8 points on 36.3 percent (70-of-193) shooting, including 33.3 percent (36-of-108) from 3-point range, to go with 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 24.3 minutes per game.

Nowell and Massoud completed semester exams on Friday (May 13) and will now have a few weeks off before the summer session begins on Monday, June 6.

Below is a transcript of that Q&A:

MARKQUIS NOWELL, RISING SENIOR GUARD

On the strangeness of spring workouts with just two players...

“We still found ways to get better. All you need is a coaching staff, and you are still getting better each and every day. It doesn't matter how many people are here, we still stick (to the same routine) until you know our normal routine. We are just playing the waiting game and eventually we'll have enough pieces to where we can do some team activities, but the grind doesn’t stop. We’re still working, still doing everything that we need to do.”

On his involvement with recruiting….

“This is actually my choice. I wanted to be involved in recruitment (process) because I wanted to play along guys that I can trust, who could trust me right away, so it's been a fun process. It's been a good process. We got a couple of guys out of the portal like me and Ish, along some high school guys. It's been fun to get to know other players and how they think. It has been fun just being a part of how we build the process.”

On what it has been like to go from where you were a year ago to this year…

“It has been a fun challenge. But you know, my vision is not what God's vision is. So, whatever He wants to happen will happen. And that's how I live my day on a daily basis. Whatever I expected coming into this year, He didn't have planned for me, so it's going to eventually work itself out. We'll have the guys that we need to win. I trust Coach Tang and I trust everybody on the coaching staff, so you know, I have high hopes.”

On what the last few months have been like with Coach Tang…

“It's been a lot of fun. We've got a group of coaches who are genuine and hard working. They are probably one of the hardest working coaching staffs that I've been around. And, you know, they just made me feel at home. Nothing really changed for me. We just continue to keep working, continuing to keep helping each other to build this program back up. It's been a fun journey. It hasn't been devastating or depressing. It's been it's been a fun one.”

On what he has learned so far from Coach Tang…

“He has a winning mindset. The first couple of days I picked up a couple of his quotes but his mindset to certain things is just remarkable. I remember we were in the weight room working out and he came in and told us when we break the huddle instead of saying ‘1-2-3’ we are going to say ‘3-2-1’. I was thinking why is he saying that? He was like because we were never going be number three in anything, we want to be number one in everything we do and that really stuck with me. I'm like this guy really wants to win.”

On what a typical day has been of late…

“It's been finals week. It's been crazy. I got all my finals done (today). But now I can just wake up, come in, talk to the coaches see what they're doing, workout, go do some weight training and do treatment. I will stick to that routine each and every day from now on.”

On seeing nine teammates enter the transfer portal…

“I kind of expected it (with the coaching transition). It wasn't much of a reaction. It was more of how we can move forward. I knew I was going to stay. And I knew Ish was going to stay. So, I knew we had to do everything in our power to focus on what's in front of us. And that was only reaction.”

On where Coach Tang wants to see improvement from him next season…

“He just preaches consistency, winning the day, winning each and every drill, just continue to keep being me. And that's what I love about him the most because he preaches to be you and wherever you are, to be you and win the day. And over a long span of time, then you'll see the results.”

On what his role is during official visits…

“There is no specific role (with the recruits). We just go out to eat with them and have fun. We talk about certain experiences we share. We take them to the gym to workout and just be around them, show them love. Show them as much love as we can and make them feel at home. We don't try to convince anybody. But we just try to be ourselves and let them know what they can expect if they come here.”

On what you have found from the interactions with the incoming recruits…

“I noticed that everybody that has committed have the same mindset as me and that is to get better each and every day and that's a huge part of what this team is trying to rebuild and do. You know, we got guys like Cam Carter, who sat out much of the season last year and he just wants to come in and work. Jerrell Colbert, the same thing he sat out and wants to come in and work. All these guys just want to come in and get better. Leaders need to set their egos aside and just work and that's a huge part of where we need to be right now.”

On memorable quotes from Coach Tang so far…

“I can’t think of one at the moment. But has been a lot. He has a lot of gems. He has a lot of quotes. He is just a very good person.”

On comparing the pressure of finals week to the pressure of the last minute on the basketball floor…

“Finals week is tough. You want to make sure you do everything you can, just like you do at the end of a game. But I’m in a good position. I had a couple of papers to write and a couple of tests, but I’m glad that I’m done (for the semester) and now I can just focus on basketball.”

On his focus for the offseason…

“Just getting some players here. That's probably priority number one and then just focusing on my health and adding little things to my game. Just trying to get better each and every day. As much as I can appreciate it.”

On the difference between Coach Weber and Coach Tang…

“That’s a hard one to answer. Obviously, I haven’t been around Coach Tang that long. But they’re very similar. They both want to win; they want to represent K-State Basketball in a first-class way and have a strong culture. I can’t imagine coaches that work as hard as they do. They both are very good people, and they want to help you outside of basketball and want to help others in the K-State community. I can’t find much of a difference.”

On what it means to be one of the pieces Coach Tang is building around…

“They would have had to do a lot to take me off this team. Because I was trying to stay. I know he was evaluating the team and trying to see who wanted to stay here. So, I’m honored that he wanted me to be a part of rebuilding this team. And I’m happy that he wanted Ish to stay as well because we are a tremendous combo. It’s been a crazy journey so far. I just have to keep working and getting better.”

On Nijel Pack deciding to transfer…

“I kind of knew is up in the air. I didn't know if he would stay or if he would leave. But once he entered the transfer portal, I knew he was not coming back. I knew he wanted to see other options. I'm super, super proud of him. And the decision he made, there is no love lost between me and him or between anybody that's on his team (that decided to transfer). At the end of the day, it was a business decision. You got to look at it that way. And you know, he's happy, we're happy. All we got to do is keep moving forward.”

On his relationship with the rest of the coaching staff…

“The coaching staff is just great. They are a bunch of masterminds that know basketball. Coach (Kevin) Sutton), we call him Mr. Miyagi because he is a very, very good trainer who knows what he is doing. Coach Jareem (Dowling), he knows what he is doing. He really knows how to recruit. Coach (Marco) Borne. I could go down the list, they are a bunch of great coaches. From top to bottom, they have all added value in their own way. So, I really liked them. I really enjoyed it. I’m really excited for the year. I think it’s going to be great.”

On if there is one signee you most excited to play with…

“I like all the guys, but I would say I’m excited to play with Nae’Qwan (Tomlin) because we come from similar backgrounds. We are both from New York. He really plays with that passion and joy and love for the game.”

ISH MASSOUD, RISING JUNIOR FORWARD

On his first impressions of Coach Tang…

“Like they say, your first impression is what’s really important and Coach had a strong first impression. From the moment he got here, he spoke to me about what we’re going to try and do as a program. He and the staff have done nothing but show us love and tell us how much they value us. I appreciate what he’s been trying to do with K-State basketball.”

On what the strangest thing about only having two guys around the complex every day…

“The gym has been a little emptier than has been (in the past). But Markquis and I are always in the gym. So, we are used to being in there by ourselves. I wouldn’t say it's strange. There's just not that many people to talk to other than ourselves.”

On being one of only two players with a new coaching staff…

“If anyone's familiar with my situation, my college career so far, you know that this is nothing new to me. I have been through this situation before (at Wake Forest). So myself, I try to evaluate what I can do to make the most challenging situation I'm given. I feel I'm optimistic about what the future holds especially because Markquis decided to stay as well. That's my brother. I’m pretty confident in my abilities as well as Markquis and I know what we are trying to do next year. I have faith in the coaches, so I’m optimistic (about the future).”

On what it means to be one of the pieces Coach Tang is building around…

“It means a lot especially of where Coach came from and the pedigree in terms of the players he's coached. And obviously the program he's been a part of, so he's not just keeping us to be nice. It’s the reason Markquis and I wanted to stay because we will be better off here. It just shows that he sees something in both of us.”

On his relationship with Markquis Nowell…

“Markquis and I have a crazy relationship. It's almost like every other day where we find old pictures or videos, a person on the same course. So, we have a long history already and are pretty close. Every day, it is just he and I and the coaching staff, so that bond has only grown tighter.”

On if he has any fun Coach Tang stories yet…

“Not sure if it’s a funny story, but I kept seeing this car up at the training facility and I’m like ‘whose BMW is that?’ because that car is fire. (laughter). Then I found out that it was Coach’s. It was one of the things he bought for himself when he got the job. And I’m like that car is fire.”

On what he has been able to accomplish this spring with just two players…

“In a way it has been a big benefit for me because the coaches can focus their attention on just me and Markquis other than just recruiting new players. So, it has been big for our development. We can get better and learn to do better for next season. That’s something I really appreciate and value because it’s just more reps for me and more reps for Markquis.”

On if he and Markquis have found a way to scrimmage…

“I think we played one time when people were still on the roster. But since then, I’ve just been working on my game, trying to kill the gym three, four time

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State men’s basketball players Markquis Nowell and Ismael (Ish) Massoud met with the media on Friday afternoon (May 13) to discuss the transition to new head coach Jerome Tang and his coaching staff, spring workouts with just two players and a look ahead to the 2022-23 season.

Nowell is coming off a stellar season in 2021-22, in which, the transfer earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors after placing in the league’s top-15 in scoring (12th/12.4 ppg.) and top-5 in assists (2nd/5.0 apg.), steals (1st/2.2 spg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd/1.97). In addition to leading the Wildcats in assists and steals, he was second in 3-point field goals (43) and free throws (68) and third in scoring, double-digit scoring games (19) and 20-point games (3). He also posted three double-doubles (points/assists), which are the most such double-doubles in school history for both a career and a single season.

Massoud was one of just two Wildcats to see action in all 31 games in 2021-22, starting 18. He had a strong ending to the season, averaging 10.7 points on 45.5 percent (10-of-22) shooting and 4.0 rebounds per game in the last 3 games, including 13 points vs. West Virginia in the Big 12 Championship. He scored in double figures in 11 games, including 5 times in Big 12 play, with a season-high 17 points vs. Green Bay on Dec. 12. For the season, he averaged 6.8 points on 36.3 percent (70-of-193) shooting, including 33.3 percent (36-of-108) from 3-point range, to go with 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 24.3 minutes per game.

Nowell and Massoud completed semester exams on Friday (May 13) and will now have a few weeks off before the summer session begins on Monday, June 6.

Below is a transcript of that Q&A:

MARKQUIS NOWELL, RISING SENIOR GUARD

On the strangeness of spring workouts with just two players...

“We still found ways to get better. All you need is a coaching staff, and you are still getting better each and every day. It doesn't matter how many people are here, we still stick (to the same routine) until you know our normal routine. We are just playing the waiting game and eventually we'll have enough pieces to where we can do some team activities, but the grind doesn’t stop. We’re still working, still doing everything that we need to do.”

On his involvement with recruiting….

“This is actually my choice. I wanted to be involved in recruitment (process) because I wanted to play along guys that I can trust, who could trust me right away, so it's been a fun process. It's been a good process. We got a couple of guys out of the portal like me and Ish, along some high school guys. It's been fun to get to know other players and how they think. It has been fun just being a part of how we build the process.”

On what it has been like to go from where you were a year ago to this year…

“It has been a fun challenge. But you know, my vision is not what God's vision is. So, whatever He wants to happen will happen. And that's how I live my day on a daily basis. Whatever I expected coming into this year, He didn't have planned for me, so it's going to eventually work itself out. We'll have the guys that we need to win. I trust Coach Tang and I trust everybody on the coaching staff, so you know, I have high hopes.”

On what the last few months have been like with Coach Tang…

“It's been a lot of fun. We've got a group of coaches who are genuine and hard working. They are probably one of the hardest working coaching staffs that I've been around. And, you know, they just made me feel at home. Nothing really changed for me. We just continue to keep working, continuing to keep helping each other to build this program back up. It's been a fun journey. It hasn't been devastating or depressing. It's been it's been a fun one.”

On what he has learned so far from Coach Tang…

“He has a winning mindset. The first couple of days I picked up a couple of his quotes but his mindset to certain things is just remarkable. I remember we were in the weight room working out and he came in and told us when we break the huddle instead of saying ‘1-2-3’ we are going to say ‘3-2-1’. I was thinking why is he saying that? He was like because we were never going be number three in anything, we want to be number one in everything we do and that really stuck with me. I'm like this guy really wants to win.”

On what a typical day has been of late…

“It's been finals week. It's been crazy. I got all my finals done (today). But now I can just wake up, come in, talk to the coaches see what they're doing, workout, go do some weight training and do treatment. I will stick to that routine each and every day from now on.”

On seeing nine teammates enter the transfer portal…

“I kind of expected it (with the coaching transition). It wasn't much of a reaction. It was more of how we can move forward. I knew I was going to stay. And I knew Ish was going to stay. So, I knew we had to do everything in our power to focus on what's in front of us. And that was only reaction.”

On where Coach Tang wants to see improvement from him next season…

“He just preaches consistency, winning the day, winning each and every drill, just continue to keep being me. And that's what I love about him the most because he preaches to be you and wherever you are, to be you and win the day. And over a long span of time, then you'll see the results.”

On what his role is during official visits…

“There is no specific role (with the recruits). We just go out to eat with them and have fun. We talk about certain experiences we share. We take them to the gym to workout and just be around them, show them love. Show them as much love as we can and make them feel at home. We don't try to convince anybody. But we just try to be ourselves and let them know what they can expect if they come here.”

On what you have found from the interactions with the incoming recruits…

“I noticed that everybody that has committed have the same mindset as me and that is to get better each and every day and that's a huge part of what this team is trying to rebuild and do. You know, we got guys like Cam Carter, who sat out much of the season last year and he just wants to come in and work. Jerrell Colbert, the same thing he sat out and wants to come in and work. All these guys just want to come in and get better. Leaders need to set their egos aside and just work and that's a huge part of where we need to be right now.”

On memorable quotes from Coach Tang so far…

“I can’t think of one at the moment. But has been a lot. He has a lot of gems. He has a lot of quotes. He is just a very good person.”

On comparing the pressure of finals week to the pressure of the last minute on the basketball floor…

“Finals week is tough. You want to make sure you do everything you can, just like you do at the end of a game. But I’m in a good position. I had a couple of papers to write and a couple of tests, but I’m glad that I’m done (for the semester) and now I can just focus on basketball.”

On his focus for the offseason…

“Just getting some players here. That's probably priority number one and then just focusing on my health and adding little things to my game. Just trying to get better each and every day. As much as I can appreciate it.”

On the difference between Coach Weber and Coach Tang…

“That’s a hard one to answer. Obviously, I haven’t been around Coach Tang that long. But they’re very similar. They both want to win; they want to represent K-State Basketball in a first-class way and have a strong culture. I can’t imagine coaches that work as hard as they do. They both are very good people, and they want to help you outside of basketball and want to help others in the K-State community. I can’t find much of a difference.”

On what it means to be one of the pieces Coach Tang is building around…

“They would have had to do a lot to take me off this team. Because I was trying to stay. I know he was evaluating the team and trying to see who wanted to stay here. So, I’m honored that he wanted me to be a part of rebuilding this team. And I’m happy that he wanted Ish to stay as well because we are a tremendous combo. It’s been a crazy journey so far. I just have to keep working and getting better.”

On Nijel Pack deciding to transfer…

“I kind of knew is up in the air. I didn't know if he would stay or if he would leave. But once he entered the transfer portal, I knew he was not coming back. I knew he wanted to see other options. I'm super, super proud of him. And the decision he made, there is no love lost between me and him or between anybody that's on his team (that decided to transfer). At the end of the day, it was a business decision. You got to look at it that way. And you know, he's happy, we're happy. All we got to do is keep moving forward.”

On his relationship with the rest of the coaching staff…

“The coaching staff is just great. They are a bunch of masterminds that know basketball. Coach (Kevin) Sutton), we call him Mr. Miyagi because he is a very, very good trainer who knows what he is doing. Coach Jareem (Dowling), he knows what he is doing. He really knows how to recruit. Coach (Marco) Borne. I could go down the list, they are a bunch of great coaches. From top to bottom, they have all added value in their own way. So, I really liked them. I really enjoyed it. I’m really excited for the year. I think it’s going to be great.”

On if there is one signee you most excited to play with…

“I like all the guys, but I would say I’m excited to play with Nae’Qwan (Tomlin) because we come from similar backgrounds. We are both from New York. He really plays with that passion and joy and love for the game.”

ISH MASSOUD, RISING JUNIOR FORWARD

On his first impressions of Coach Tang…

“Like they say, your first impression is what’s really important and Coach had a strong first impression. From the moment he got here, he spoke to me about what we’re going to try and do as a program. He and the staff have done nothing but show us love and tell us how much they value us. I appreciate what he’s been trying to do with K-State basketball.”

On what the strangest thing about only having two guys around the complex every day…

“The gym has been a little emptier than has been (in the past). But Markquis and I are always in the gym. So, we are used to being in there by ourselves. I wouldn’t say it's strange. There's just not that many people to talk to other than ourselves.”

On being one of only two players with a new coaching staff…

“If anyone's familiar with my situation, my college career so far, you know that this is nothing new to me. I have been through this situation before (at Wake Forest). So myself, I try to evaluate what I can do to make the most challenging situation I'm given. I feel I'm optimistic about what the future holds especially because Markquis decided to stay as well. That's my brother. I’m pretty confident in my abilities as well as Markquis and I know what we are trying to do next year. I have faith in the coaches, so I’m optimistic (about the future).”

On what it means to be one of the pieces Coach Tang is building around…

“It means a lot especially of where Coach came from and the pedigree in terms of the players he's coached. And obviously the program he's been a part of, so he's not just keeping us to be nice. It’s the reason Markquis and I wanted to stay because we will be better off here. It just shows that he sees something in both of us.”

On his relationship with Markquis Nowell…

“Markquis and I have a crazy relationship. It's almost like every other day where we find old pictures or videos, a person on the same course. So, we have a long history already and are pretty close. Every day, it is just he and I and the coaching staff, so that bond has only grown tighter.”

On if he has any fun Coach Tang stories yet…

“Not sure if it’s a funny story, but I kept seeing this car up at the training facility and I’m like ‘whose BMW is that?’ because that car is fire. (laughter). Then I found out that it was Coach’s. It was one of the things he bought for himself when he got the job. And I’m like that car is fire.”

On what he has been able to accomplish this spring with just two players…

“In a way it has been a big benefit for me because the coaches can focus their attention on just me and Markquis other than just recruiting new players. So, it has been big for our development. We can get better and learn to do better for next season. That’s something I really appreciate and value because it’s just more reps for me and more reps for Markquis.”