July 16, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Demon Deacon basketball players James Johnson and Ishmael Smith stopped by to talk with WakeForestSports.com on Tuesday to give an update on how they are each spending their summer months.
Ishmael Smith
How is your summer going?
It's going really well. I've been here both semesters, so I'm just trying to hit the weights, work on my game and knock some of these hard classes out of the way. Now that the whole team is back and the three freshmen are here, we're getting some games in. Overall, things are really going well.
How is it having the entire "new" team here?
It's great. I remember Coach Gaudio telling us Sunday night, when everybody came in (for summer school), is that the biggest deal is having chemistry with this team. So far, so good. We've been up there playing every night, going at it. It's really been fun, but the good thing about it is we've been competing hard. But as soon as we're done competing, we're joking around and having fun. I'm really loving this team so far. As you know, it's a long season so we have to sustain it throughout the whole year.
How are you faring in the Rusty LaRue League?
I'm beat up. Last night (Monday) we got our first win. As a matter of fact, everybody went undefeated (on Monday) who is on a Wake team. I think maybe Jimmy [McQuilkin] might have lost a game. But that was the only one. We went undefeated to get our first win last night. But overall I'm beat up from that. I have some thigh bruises, but it's really going well. Guys are competing. The Rusty LaRue League is the best it's been since I've been here.
How is life off the court?
It's going well. Family is doing well. School is going well. Things are going well...I can't complain. I'm having the most fun I've ever had in my life. Things are really looking up.
I heard your sister got married this summer.
She did. Her and Eric [Williams] just got married two weekends ago at Graylyn outside. It was a real nice wedding. I got to meet all of Eric's family. They're real cool, so I've got some family in New York. They have a nice house in Clemmons, so I might go out there and do some golfing since I'm taking a golf class.
*Note: Eric Williams was a four-year starter for the Demon Deacons from 2003-06.
James Johnson
How is your summer going?
The summer is going great. The new freshmen got here, and they earned their respect quick. They're dominant, and we're moving the ball well. Everybody is maturing well, so we're working hard. Everybody is back (on campus), conditioning hard and lifting weights hard. We're just ready to play.
How are you faring in the Rusty LaRue League?
The Rusty LaRue League is always fun. He's a great guy. He always has us play great competition. He has all of us separated so there's always equal. It's just whoever wants it more when you're out there. Our team is 3-0 right now. We're pretty nice. For all the scoring power we have, you'd think people would ball-hog, but we move the ball pretty well.
Did you get a chance to make it back home this summer?
I went back to Cheyenne during May and then I was there for awhile. I moved around and went back home to California to play some basketball up there. Then I went up to Minneapolis to play some basketball there. I was just going everywhere trying to make open gyms.
How is summer school going?
Summer school is great. There are always less people so it's easier to work with the teacher. We're all working hard.
