Gophers Look to Junior Devoe Joseph for Leadership and Scoring

Every successful team needs a player with a bit of moxie and someone who isn’t afraid to take the big shot. For the 2010-2011 Gophers, that guy is likely junior Devoe Joseph. Joseph’s game continues to improve and his leadership was critical last season when backcourt mate Al Nolen was not eligible the second half of the season. That put Joseph in a more critical role and he rose to the occasion.
Joseph will be looked upon to be one of Minnesota’s leading scorers this year and his off the court leadership is already paying dividends as he was instrumental in the Gophers landing fellow Canadian, Maurice Walker.

GopherHole’s Nadine Babu recently caught up with Joseph to learn more about his thoughts on the upcoming season.

GH: Last year was your breakout season with Al Nolen out. Do you feel like people got to see what you are capable of?
DJ: I was happy with the opportunity and got to step in to a leadership role and people got to see what I can do. I want to start this season the way I ended last year.

GH: You are a real competitor. What do you expect from yourself this year?
DJ: Just to go out there and compete every single day. If you go out there and play your hardest every day you can’t be upset with yourself. Just leave it on the court.

GH: Do you like playing the point or shooting guard?
DJ: I like playing everything. I love playing with Al because he sets everyone up and finds you open. He is good at kicking out to me and I want to do that for him as well. He can blow buy guys. Together we’ll work together real well.

GH: If you were Tubby Smith who would you start?
DJ: Right now I would say it will be Al, Blake, Rodney, Ralph and Colton. With Tubby’s teams it changed throughout the year. We have a lot of good guys and we will all push each other in practice.

GH: So you aren’t thinking you will start yet?
DJ: No, not right now. Just keep working hard.

GH: Are you missing not playing with your brother?
DJ: I would have loved for him to play with us, but he’s at Texas and having a great time and he’s happy there. But we have Mo here and I’m happy to be playing with who we have here now.

GH: Do you two talk a lot?
DJ: Oh yea, we talk a lot. I make sure he’s working hard and staying in the gym. I’m supporting him and backing him 100%.

GH: Who are you rooming with this year?
DJ: Maurice. It’s going great. We’ve known him so long.

GH: What would people be surprised to know about Walker?
DJ: He can cook. He made some great pasta and that’s great to have as a roommate.

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