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| Marcus Denmon leaves for the World University Games on Aug. 8. |
Missouri Basketball standout Marcus Denmon will chat live from Colorado Springs, Colo., about his experience thus far at USA Basketball and his upcoming trip to China. The chat will begin Friday at Noon CT and run until 12:30 p.m.
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Moderator: Welcome everyone. Marcus is on the phone and we are ready for your questions! |
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| Neil: How does it feel to be recognized as one of the top college players in the country? |
| Marcus Denmon: It feels really good. Just to be invited and then making the team it just shows all the hard work has been paying off. |
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| josh (jeff city): How hard will it be to adjust to the time change when you play games in a different time zone? |
| Marcus Denmon: I heard we are going to lose a day and a half traveling, but since we have a few days off I think I'll have time to adjust. |
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| Mike Kansas City: Marcus...just wanted to say congrats for making the USA team...as a fellow Kansas Citian and Mizzou alumni, very proud of all that you have accomplished so far and continued success in the future M-I-Z |
| Marcus Denmon: Thanks a lot Mike! MIZ! |
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| Ft Worth: Marcus: What part of your game have you really focused alot on this summer? Goodluck in China! You will do well! |
| Marcus Denmon: The main place has been working on my guard skills. Having the ball in my hands, ball-handling.. being a decision maker. My point guard skills since I'll need to play both positions at the next level. |
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| Dave (Moberly): Have you done any research on where you are going in China? |
| Marcus Denmon: We are playing in a city right outside of Hong Kong and I hear it has 9 million people, but the city is supposed to be really small and congested. |
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| Billy (Jeff City): How is Kadeem Green coming along and how can he help us in the post this year? |
| Marcus Denmon: When I was back home he was making big strides. He is getting healthy. That's important, as I know. He is a long, athletic forward. He can do a lot of things, especially on the defensive end. His length can really bother the other team. |
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| St. Louis: What happened to the corn rows? |
| Marcus Denmon: I cut them... senior year. New year and I was tired. I was looking for a new look. |
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| Steve (KC): I saw some highlights from the Air Force scrimmage. It looks like you shot the ball extremely well. Are your teammates getting you shots? |
| Marcus Denmon: Being that I am playing with such good players, you really don't have to worry about it. Playing for Team USA you don't have to hunt shots. Everyone can score and if you are playing well they will find you. I did have a good scrimmage. I was 5-of-6 from three and hit 4-of-5 from inside the arc. We played well as a team. |
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| Bill (Topeka): You are playing with Tim Abromaitis on Team USA. Have you guys already started talking about the game in KC between the Tigers and Notre Dame? |
| Marcus Denmon: Definitely. We had already talked about having a chance to play against one another. We talked some stuff, having fun. Of course we are going to get that win in Kansas City. He's a great guy. I'm glad I have a chance to play with him. |
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| Rick (Mexico, MO): How does the pace of USA basketball compare to what you've played at Mizzou in the past, and what you anticipate from Coach Haith this season? |
| Marcus Denmon: The first half... the FIBA Basketball is up tempo. It's a 24 second shot clock, so playing for Coach A it helped me. I feel like I was able to adjust to the pace well.
From Coach Haith I expect big things. I have been around him since April and I love what he is doing on the floor and off it. He hired a great staff and he's a genuine guy. Tiger Basketball is in good hands for the future. |
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| Brock (Bunceton): How long is the flight to China? |
| Marcus Denmon: I heard it's like 20 hours, but since we are 12 hours behind it's like losing a day and a half. It's 13 hours difference from you guys back home. |
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| Ed Jones (Naples, FL): Not a question, but just wanted to say congratulations Marcus! Best of luck in the tourney, and enjoy the experience! |
| Marcus Denmon: Thanks a lot! |
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| Bryce Siebeneck (Kansas City, MO: With transfers Keion Bell and Earnest Ross being unable to play this year what are ways they can still help? |
| Marcus Denmon: Just the fact we have a few extra bodies that are experienced guys will help us a lot in practice. They will get us prepared and they are Big 12 caliber guys. |
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| Jeff M. (Spokane): Marcus I am originally from Kc but go to school in Washington now. I love watching you on tv up here. I wish you the best this season. I am rooting for you. |
| Marcus Denmon: Thanks. Send your weather back to those in Missouri! |
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| Tim (KC): Marcus - Who has impressed you the most on your Team USA squad? |
| Marcus Denmon: It's hard to say just one, but Trevor from Minnesota. I knew he was really good, but since we have been here, he's a beast under the basket. He does a lot of different things. He will be big in our success overseas. |
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| Michael KC: I work with some Pump N Run guys and they talk about you and Mike D all the time. How excited are you two for another season to rep KC together? |
| Marcus Denmon: I'm really excited. We have been playing basketball since kids. This will be a big season for both of us. Us two playing together is important to us. It's important to Kansas City and our state. Mike is a really good player, but it will be a breakout season for him and they will see all he can do out there on the floor. |
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| josh (jeff city): What number did you choose to wear and is there any significant reason why you picked that number? |
| Marcus Denmon: At Team USA I'm wearing #6. It wasn't a number we picked because they were already assigned. I like 6 because it's half of 12, which is normally my number. It's also LeBron's number and he's one of my favorite players.
At Mizzou 12 has been my number since I was young. I grew up on 12th street, so that is my number and represents who I am and where I am from. |
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| Shahn Hogan (Columbia, MO): Marcus, congrats on making the team and representing the USA! I was wondering who you called/contacted first after you found out about making the cut and what their reaction was. |
| Marcus Denmon: I didn't call many because the media finds out first. I talked to my Grandma and she was proud. She told me to stay focused and play hard! |
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| Matt (Dixon): I know you are going to play in the NBA, but once you are done playing, what do you want to do as a post basketball career? |
| Marcus Denmon: Good question, Matt. When I am done I want get into a position where I can give back to KC. I want to help kids. I want to start my own business and help the Kansas City area, help our neighborhoods and give our kids direction. There are great people in Kansas City and we can help give them opportunities to succeed. |
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| Jeff (Kansas City): Taking bball out of it, how do you like being a college student at MU?...do you get to go to football games? |
| Marcus Denmon: Yeah, I do go to football games. I love being a college student at MU. I am glad I made this decision. It's a great town, great community and we have great support. I really enjoy the home state people. |
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| Mr. Shizz (CoMO): Marcus - First of all CONGRATS on making the USA team! It has been a pleasure to watch you tear it up at Mizzou Arena aka the Dutch Oven the past 3 years and I look forward to this season. My question for you is what do you see yourself doing after your final season at Mizzou? That is after you hoist the National Championship trophy in New Orleans. |
| Marcus Denmon: That would be a dream come true, but that will take a lot of hard work. We will have to buy in as a team and program to accomplish that. After college I would like to play professional basketball. I have been working hard to reach that goal, but it would be a blessing. A national championship would be amazing too. |
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| Danny (The STL): How have you and the team responded to Frank Haith? How do you think the transition from Anderson's fast-paced offense to Haith's more traditional style will be? |
| Marcus Denmon: I'm sure it will go well. All the guys have been buying into Coach Haith and the rest of the coaching staff. Coach Haith has his own style, just like Coach Anderson. It has some traditional things to it, but he is unique and can help put us in positions to use our abilities and make plays for our team. |
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| Translate (Google): 欢迎您到中国。我们希望你喜欢你留在我们伟大的国家. |
| Marcus Denmon: I'm not sure what to say, but thanks! |
| Marcus Denmon: Thanks a lot for all the questions. I am off to grab lunch and then practice. Last weekend in the States then its off to win Gold. MIZ! USA!
Have a great weekend,
Marcus! |
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