Joey King, a 6-foot-8 forward from Eastview (MN) High, recently transferred from Drake to Minnesota. King averaged 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, which was first in scoring and fourth in rebounding among freshman in the Missouri Va
Joey King, a 6-foot-8 forward from Eastview (MN) High, recently transferred from Drake to Minnesota. King averaged 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, which was first in scoring and fourth in rebounding among freshman in the Missouri Valley Conference.
King averaged 23.9 points per game for the Lightning as a senior and led Eastview to the Class AAAA state tournament. He averaged a team-best 17.6 points per game and 15.2 points per game as a sophomore, leading Eastview to the state tournament.
GopherHole.com caught up with King in an exclusive interview to learn more about his decision to transfer to Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: What was the main reason that you decided that Minnesota was where you wanted to be?
Joey King: I was excited to come home to family and friends. I am just looking forward to the opportunity to play in the Big Ten.
Gopher Hole: You had some good games at Drake as a freshman and made the All-Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team, but other games you did not get as much playing time. Was that a little bit frustrating as I am sure you want to be on the court as much as you can?
Joey King: There are a lot of things to grow from for your freshman year. It happens. There were a lot of learning experience my freshman year and I think that it made me a lot smarter and a lot better player.
Gopher Hole: Coach Pitino wants to play a more up-tempo style, which should really fit what you like to do. How do you feel that you fit in that style of play?
Joey King: I really look forward to Coach Pitino’s coaching style. I think that we will really get out there and play and get after it, so it definitely fits my style. I like to run for being a big man and just really looking forward to it. It is going to be a great opportunity.
Gopher Hole: To be honest, the Gophers are a little bit thin in the frontcourt in terms of big guys. Is that something that you look at and think that if you do what you need to do in practice that there is a chance that you could get significant playing time this upcoming season?
Joey King: Yes. As long as I come, play my game and play hard, I am sure that there is an opportunity. If it arises, I am going to make the best of it and I guess we’ll just see what happens in the next couple of weeks.
Gopher Hole: What others schools were you looking at besides Minnesota after you decided to transfer from Drake?
Joey King: Creighton and St. Louis.
Gopher Hole: Had you even set up plans to visit those two schools?
Joey King: I had plans to visit both.
Gopher Hole: Was Minnesota always the school that you were hoping that you would end up at once you decided to leave Drake?
Joey King: No. It was really Creighton and Minnesota, basically.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, you knew Creighton since you were in the same league and you had one of your better games this season against them. Was that something that intrigue you about them plus they have been a very good team the past couple of years?
Joey King: Yes. They just have a very special program. Playing against them, knowing a couple of their players, it felt like it was a great spot. It would have been a great opportunity. It was a great opportunity to talk to them.
Gopher Hole: Besides Creighton and St. Louis, what other schools did you hear from?
Joey King: I really just kept it down because I was really interested in St. Louis, Creighton and Minnesota. I never really stretched beyond that.
Gopher Hole: When are you starting school at Minnesota?
Joey King: I am moving in Saturday.
Gopher Hole: Drake is a very good school and I know that you are a very good student. Have you considered what you are going to major in at Minnesota or will it stay the same as what you were doing at Drake?
Joey King: Yes, I have been studying Environmental Science and Policy and that is what I am looking to continue studying.
Gopher Hole: What do you need to do to be eligible right away at Minnesota. Are you going through the process of getting a waiver so you can play this year?
Joey King: I am not really going to talk about that right now.
Gopher Hole: Is your thought that you will be eligible this year or don’t you know yet?
Joey King: We are seeking to make me eligible.
Gopher Hole: What things are you really going to be working on to continue to improve yourself as a player and get ready for the Big Ten?
Joey King: Just work hard every day. I am really looking forward to practice. It is just a great opportunity to be around such a great staff. I am just going to try to get better in all aspects of my game and it is going to be a good opportunity.
Gopher Hole: What has been the reaction of your family and friends? I know that Drake is not super far away, but it is not that close either. Now, a lot of people who have followed you throughout your high school career will be able to see you a lot more easily. What has their reaction been?
Joey King: The people that I know are ecstatic. They were hoping that this opportunity would come once I got my release from Drake and they are really, really happy to see me come back to Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: Originally, there were some rumors that Minnesota was initially looking at you to be a walk-on. Was that really true or what was your thought about that?
Joey King: There was no chance of me walking on at Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: The feeling that I had and people close to you had was that you were going to get an opportunity somewhere to be a scholarship player, so it would tough to walk-on when you had other scholarship opportunities like Creighton and St. Louis, right?
Joey King: Correct.
Gopher Hole: Have they talked to you about playing in the Howard Pulley Pro-Am Summer League?
Joey King: I haven’t looked into that yet.