University of Tennessee Athletics
Jeronne who? He can't wait to show you
December 23, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 23, 2010
Josh Pate
UTsports.com
It was 20 minutes after basketball practice had ended and every player had already hit the locker room. Some had showered and headed out of Thompson-Boling Arena. Not Jeronne Maymon. He was still playing his own "Around the World" game, firing shots at the far end of the floor all around the key.
Maymon, who transferred to Tennessee after half a season of basketball at Marquette, has been putting in some extra time working on his shot to make it more consistent. But exactly who is Jeronne Maymon?
We know he wants to improve his long-range shot, thus the extra work after practice.
Others have suggested he adjust his shot to get the ball higher on the release point. When he got on campus in Knoxville, the coaches worked with Maymon to make the move with hopes that the 6-foot-7, 258-pound forward can increase his outside presence.
"I started doing that and started hitting more shots," Maymon said. "I just want to continue doing that and continue to be efficient from the floor."
We know he can contribute immediately. At Marquette as a freshman, he averaged 4.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in just nine games coming off the bench.
We also know he's ready to play ball again. Because of his transfer in mid-season last year, he was forced to sit out the spring and fall semesters of basketball. He will become eligible at the conclusion of final exams in December.
That's not to say it's been easy for Maymon.
"It's definitely hard for me to watch," he said. "Sitting and watching other teams come in here and play against our team on our home floor, it's hard to watch. The fans are really great here. I just want to be out there to help my team in any way possible."
As for how Maymon will fit into the rotation is will be up to Maymon. At least, it will be his work ethic that dictates how quickly he'll be able to crack into the established group of players. The mix of returning players have a well-established bond from last year's Elite Eight run. The newcomers have bonded through being on the floor together in the early portion of the season.
Maymon credits the veterans on the team for being influential in educating newcomers as to what the intensity of Southeastern Conference basketball is like. He also credits the new faces for their attempt at learning the game and the culture of this squad. That leaves Maymon in the middle. And he embraces it despite not being able to gel with the team during games ... yet.
Pearl warned that the team isn't going to play with an attitude of waiting on Maymon to become eligible. And it hasn't. That puts the responsibility on Maymon. Pearl said the sophomore should set his aspirations high if he wants to break in with a high number of minutes.
"We'll be minus him. That's the position he should put himself in," Pearl said in the preseason. "I don't know if he'll be in that position, but that's the thing he should try to be in, that we're missing our starting forward, if that's possible for him."
Still, who is Jeronne Maymon? Sure, he wants to be efficient. He wants to contribute to the team immediately. Pearl wants him to assume he's good enough to be a starter on this Tennessee team. So we know the expectations.
What does Maymon say?
"Laid back, funny, cool, exciting, tough - really tough - always smiling, laughing, just a gridiron type of player," Maymon said, staring at the Thompson-Boling Arena floor in all seriousness. "I'm out here to do the little things, play the tough defense, hit open shots, take guys off the dribble. Just help my team in any way possible. I want to be a team player and the best leader I can be."
Pearl, for one, likes his tough leadership.
"Jeronne Maymon will lead because he's so tough and brings a bit of an edge," Pearl said. "You come watch practice, and Jeronne will take your head off if you don't fight him back. That's a way of leading."
That's Jeronne Maymon.
