Furman Basketball: Q and A with SoCon Player of the Year Devin Sibley
Even though he won the SoCon Player of the Year Award for Furman basketball last year, Devin Sibley is one of the most underrated players in the country.
Last season, Furman basketball was close to making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1980. After tying for the regular season title, they were named the #2 seed in the Southern Conference Tournament. Yet, the Paladins fell short in their first game, losing in the quarterfinals to Samford.
Heading into this season, Furman star Devin Sibley will be looking for revenge. Sibley, who is entering his senior year, averaged 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game last season while being named the SoCon’s Player of the Year. This year, Sibley will once again be the lead man on offense for the Paladins and the expectations will be high. Could Sibley be the one to lead Furman back to the Big Dance? He just might be.
Last season, the team tied for the conference title with East Tennessee State and UNC-Greensboro. In the end, it was East Tennessee State who won the automatic bid to the Big Dance in 2016-17, but that could easily change during this season.
Sibley is joined by fellow senior guard Daniel Fowler as a double-digit scoring returner for the Paladins. Fowler put up 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a very well-rounded player. With those two running the show, Furman basketball could be the preseason favorite to come out of the SoCon.
As the season gets closer, Furman’s Devin Sibley spoke with Busting Brackets on his game, life, and expectations for this upcoming season.
Q: In your basketball career, what has been your most memorable moment?
A: In my career of playing basketball at Furman, I would have to say that my most memorable moment was when we went to the SoCon Championship during my freshman year. We had come off a pretty bad season the year before. Everyone counted us out in the first round, but we ended up upsetting three teams and almost making history that year.
Q: What do you believe is the most important thing you bring to Furman as a person or basketball player?
A: I believe the most important thing that I bring to my team is my work ethic. I work harder than anyone. They see me work hard. I’m passionate about it and that makes them work even harder as well.
Q: How did it feel to win the SoCon Player of the Year Award last season?
A: It felt good. I was honored to win it, especially with some other top contenders going against me. It wasn’t my goal at all to win it, but I’m very grateful for receiving such a big award.
Q: Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your basketball career to this point in your life?
A: I would have to say that my dad has had the biggest impact on my basketball career (and, of course, my mom as well). He’s been my personal trainer ever since I started playing basketball and is the reason I’ve gotten to where I am now.
Q: Do you have any pre-game ritual that you have to go through?
A: I don’t really have a specific pre-game ritual at all. All I do is prepare myself mentally for the game, which is sometimes an all day thing for me.
Q: Aside from basketball, what are some of your favorite things to do?
A: I like to hang out with my friends, playing golf (even though I’m not good at it at all) or other sports such as tennis or soccer.
Q: Who is your favorite NBA player and which NBA player do you think your game most closely resembles?
A: My favorite NBA player is LeBron James. I don’t really know who my game resembles at all. I guess I’m just unique and don’t really resemble anyone.
Q: What is the loudest gym that you have ever played in, either home or away?
A: The loudest gym that I’ve played in was at ETSU this past year for a road game. I couldn’t even hear myself talk because the fans were so loud.
Q: What are you looking forward to most during this upcoming season?
A: What I’m looking forward to the most this season is just getting out there. I’ve worked probably the hardest I ever have this summer, and so have my teammates. I’m just really antsy to get back out there on the court.
Q: Furman tied for the regular season conference title last season. What would it feel like to win the conference tournament this season and see your name called on Selection Sunday?
A: It would mean the world to me. That’s been the goal for myself and my teammates, to win the conference finals and get to the actual national tournament, since I stepped foot onto this campus. So to actually achieve such a goal, especially when we put so much blood, sweat, and tears into reaching it, would be so amazing that I don’t think words could explain it.
Furman basketball has high expectations for this season thanks to Sibley. Although the regular season is important for seeding, the conference tournament is where the stars come out. With 2016-17 Player of the Year Devin Sibley back on the roster, Furman might be able to take that next step and reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1980.