In honor of the basketball season starting, we have put together a short Q&A for you to get to know some of our Gators Basketball Players and Coaches better! 

From the Men's Basketball team, we had the opportunity to ask a few questions to both a familiar face in Azaan Sheikh but also a new face in the newly appointed Men's Basketball Head Coach Kyle McGee! From the Women's Basketball team, we got the chance to ask Allison Holman and Coach Wynn a few questions.
 
Coach Kyle McGee
Favorite team: LA Lakers
Favorite player: Michael Jordan
Role model: Grandpa
 

What are you most excited about this year?

• Going into my first year as head coach of this program, I'm very excited to build a relationship with this new family. It's important that we create a culture both on and off the court, we should be like family.

What are some goals for the team this upcoming season?

• There are three main points that are important for us as a program; building a culture, being tough and competitive in everything we do, and establishing an identity of how we want to play.

What defines a winning team?

• To be a winning team, everyone must contribute to what we do. Every single player must contribute to building our identity through competitiveness and hard work.

Azaan "Zaan" Sheikh
Favorite Team: Washington Wizards
Favorite Player: Russel Westbrook
Role Model: Dad


 
Going into your last year, what are you most excited about basketball wise?

• Going into my last year here at NDMU, I'm most excited to compete for a conference championship. We know we have a solid group, now we just have to make sure we challenge ourselves to the level where we reach all the way.

What would you say the goal for the team is this year?

• Something I live by is trying to get 1% better every day, that's a mentality that would take us far, not only as individuals but as a family. This mentality will give us the championship me and the other seniors have been striving for since we came here.

 
Coach Kalin Wynn
Favorite team: NY Knicks
Favorite player: Michael Jordan
Role model: Muhammad Ali



What are you most excited about this year?

• I'm most excited about the opportunity to see the growth of our players since we had a large returning group.

What are some goals for the team this upcoming season?

• Our goals for this season are to win the conference championship and make the NCAA tournament. It's also important that we take care of our own and help all of our seniors graduate this May.

What defines a winning team?

• For us, winning the conference is always our goal but also having a group that enjoys playing for and supporting one another.

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Allison Holman
Age: 20
Favorite Team: Dallas Wings
Favorite Player: Rhyne Howard
Role Model: Myself



Going into your last year, what are you most excited about basketball wise?

• I'm most excited to play my last season with my friends and really enjoy the season. I want to give 100% all the time because this season is the last season I'll play. I'm also excited to see the work that we all have collectively put in. Every little thing that has been done behind the scenes when no one is watching through all my time here at NDMU has led up to this season. All the people in and around the team, the players, the coaches, the staff, we owe them a show this year. As a team, we are all really excited to see the final product! 

What would you say the goal for the team is this year?

• The team goal this year is obviously to win a ring, but we also must continue to build relationships on and off the court. Of course, we also have some teams to get back at from prior years.

 
The fist games for the Gators are November 2nd both teams, starting the season facing Division I opponents on the road, with the men facing Delaware and the women facing Loyola. The first home games are November 10th for the women, and November 17th for the men; make sure to come out this season to support the Gators!