Gopher Basketball
Last year, on a Gopher team that went into offensive slumps at some point in seemingly every game, Westbrook became the go-to guy when the team absolutely needed someone to create his own shot . Over his career, spanning back to before his high school days, it had already become second nature for Westbrook ““ something he looked entirely comfortable doing. Westbrook won the hearts of many Gopher fans last year at the Kohl Center doing exactly what he’s been doing for years. He seemed incapable of missing as the clock wound down, slashing toward the rim and scoring on several difficult shots as Minnesota forced overtime and upset Wisconsin.
As one of two seniors on this year’s team, Westbrook will be counted on to provide more than just big shots. Soft-spoken, seeringly intense and oozing with confidence in himself and his teammates, Westbrook leads by example and has high hopes for a great season.
GH: You really appear to have slimmed down since last season. Do you feel you’re in better shape than you were last year?
LW: I lost 40 pounds, so I think that I’m in better shape this year.
GH: Wow, 40 pounds?
LW: Yeah, I’m excited. I’m gonna have better stamina. I was having some knee problems last year and I think the weight reduction is going to help my tendonitis. Overall, I think I’m looking pretty good right now.
GH: Have you been talking to any of the other guys, the younger guys, on the team, letting them know that you worked hard in the offseason, preparing for your last season and you want the team to succeed as best it can?
LW: Not really. Once we start playing, we can tell them how it is to play or how to run certain plays or whatever, but I think you have to be self-motivated at this level. Obviously, everyone needs a push now and then, everyone’s human, but weren’t not going to have to say, “œc’mon, c’mon.” Everybody’s ready to play.
GH: To make sure guys are ready, what’s one piece of advice, maybe about basketball, school, life, whatever, that you could share with the incoming freshman about something you’ve learned here at Minnesota?
LW: Tenacity. You just have to be an animal out there. That’s in the classroom, too. You just can’t take second place to anybody, anywhere, especially on this court. We play against other Big Ten teams and you just have to be physical. Do whatever you have to do to get the job done.
GH: It’s funny you say that, because often when games were tight last year, your teammates looked to you to do whatever it took to get the job done and score big baskets. Is that a role you enjoy? Will you fill that role again on this year’s team?
LW: Yeah, I see myself in the same role and I like that. I like when the game’s tight and I have the ball in my hands. I feel that I can hit the big shot. That’s what I like doing. I’m looking forward to doing the same things on a bigger scale this year.
GH: Fans are expecting more from this Gopher team than probably any team during your career here. Do you like to play with those expectations or are they a distraction?
LW: I like to play with expectations. It makes the season more exciting. When you go in and people expect things from you, it makes you want to live up to the hype. That’s what makes this special.
GH: For this year to be successful in your eyes, being your last year with the club, what does the team have to accomplish?
LW: Obviously we want to win the Big Ten Championship and we want to advance to the Final Four. I think that’s every team’s goal in the country. I think it would be really special to win a Big Ten championship and get over that hump. That would mean a lot to me.
GH: Speaking of advancing in the tournament, what do you feel like you learned from playing in the NCAA Tournament last year?
LW: It was a very good experience, but”¦ you know, I felt empty inside after we lost. I thought about it all year. It made me even more hungry to do better this year and advance further. It was such a fun atmosphere. I hate watching other teams advancing and celebrating after every game. It’s just gonna make me try to hit that extra shot, dive for that extra loose ball, get that steal, anything to help us out.
GH: So you banked that experience as motivation. What were some of the things you worked on this summer, using that motivation, to improve for your team?
LW: Everything. Everything that everybody who wants to be good works on. Shooting, dribbling, quickness. Anything that a guard needs to do. Working on a pick and roll”¦ anything. Anything I need to do to be successful, I did.
GH: You’ve spent years working on your game and playing for Minnesota. I’m sure it seems like forever since you came to Minneapolis. How do you feel like you’ve changed since you first arrived here?
LW: I think I’ve always been the same. I always approach the game the same way. I always play 100 percent. I always did what I did on the court. The only difference to me really is my age. I’ve always thought the same way. I’m mean, obviously I’ve matured, but in terms of strictly basketball, I’ve approached the game the same way since I was in the sixth grade.
GH: So let’s fast forward to 10 years from now. What do you hope Gopher fans are saying about Lawrence Westbrook?
LW: He overcame a lot when he was here and he played every game hard. He was a leader on the team and a hard worker.
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