Ready On And Off The Court
October 08, 2023 | Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Interview training illustrates Sam Purcell’s complete commitment to Bulldog players.
STARKVILLE – For the last two years, ever since Sam Purcell became the Mississippi State women's basketball head coach, Jessika Carter has gotten to know a man who is completely dedicated to his players' success on all fronts. Late last week, Carter and her teammates got to see that commitment in action yet again.
ESPN's Andraya Carter spent much of last Thursday with the Bulldogs. The blossoming broadcasting star was brought to Starkville by Purcell and staff to help State players hone their skills in interview settings. By the time Thursday was done, Jessika Carter and the rest of the Dawgs were blown away by the tips and tricks they'd picked up, as well as reminded just how much their coach cares.
"I'm super thankful [to Purcell]," Jessika Carter said. "Words can't describe how great of a person and coach he is. He really means it when he says he wants the best for us on and off the court. He takes all the measures to make sure we are at our best."
Even measures like pulling in one of the leading ladies in sportscasting to ensure the Bulldogs are ready when cameras and microphones are on them.
Andraya Carter was the perfect individual to give interview insight to the Dawgs. She was once in their exact shoes before she flipped her personal script and became the one asking questions. Andraya Carter played for the Tennessee Lady Vols before her playing career was cut short, ultimately leading to Carter dabbling in broadcasting before diving in full time.
Now, she can be found on college basketball and college football coverage. She even recently was heavily involved in the NBA Draft telecast.
Carter's many experiences have allowed her the chance to know most anything a player would be asked, as well as what makes for a player's best response. She shared much of that in a pair of sessions that also featured some one-on-one instruction.
The Bulldogs were amazed at all they picked up.
"It's about being intentional with what we do when we address the media," Debreasha Powe said. "I don't think we really notice all the time how we look on camera. Learning how to slow down, or just breathe when we don't know what to say…Not doing too much, but at the same time making eye contact…It was all such good information. Just take our time. A lot of times in interviews, we may rush or speed up and not even realize it. So, it was good to hear all that from her."
Seemingly every player was able to latch onto at least a thing or two.
"For me, it was helpful to see how I should just be open to further explaining things," Mjracle Sheppard said. "I'm not always the best at interviews, so to hear things like that from someone with that level of experience was great."
Jerkaila Jordan was most intrigued by one tip she'd never really considered before.
"It really stood out to me how, if you go into an interview and are confident in what you want to say, you can basically flip the whole interview around," Jordan said. "The interviewer can kind of become the interviewee and you can be in control. I'll definitely be considering that going forward."
While Andraya Carter taught, Purcell observed as his team soaked in the information they were being provided. In the moment, rebounding took a back seat to responses. Getting boards could wait and instead, it was about body language in front of postgame press.
"All this is about showcasing these young women as more than just basketball players," Purcell explained. "They're extremely smart and brilliant. So, to have that camera in front of them and have the limelight, 18- to 22-year-olds can naturally freeze up, and these aren't freeze-up kids. I want to help them be ready for those moments."
It's the sign of a great coach: being willing to go to any means necessary to ensure the team is as prepared as possible. Last Thursday solidified how, for Purcell, that doesn't stop at a game's final buzzer.
"I'm very grateful," Jordan said. "It just shows Coach Sam really cares about how we look and represent ourselves. Him wanting to help us be better communicators and get our name out there, you can see he cares about us a lot."
