Throughout the fall, umterps.com will be featuring a different men's basketball player (or players) each week leading up the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Be sure to follow along with additional player-specific content on Maryland basketball's social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more on each player. Today's featured player is Serrel Smith Jr. from St. Petersburg, Fla. Here's five burning questions with Serrel.
What do you think you've improved on most from last season?
"I focused my efforts mainly on just continuing to play the best defense I can and stay more consistent this year. Everyone has been working hard to make those individual improvements, and now it's exciting to see it all come together."
How do you feel like you've changed personally since coming to Maryland?
"I think I've changed by communicating more. When IÂ came in last season and I didn't really talk as much in the locker room around the guys. As I got more adjusted to the team and Maryland, and I think that just changed throughout the year."
How excited are you to return home to Florida when the team plays in the Orlando Invitational in November?
"I can't wait, there's going to be a big fan base for me there. I just can't wait to play in my home state again in front of my friends, family and everybody."
Who would be your dream starting five lineup?Â
"I'd have myself at the 1. Then Kyrie [Irving] at the two. KD [Kevin Durant] at the three. Lebron [James] at the four. And then AD [Anthony Davis] at the five."
How far ahead do you think the team is having so many returners familiar with the system?Â
"Everybody has been pretty locked in. And the new guys came in and got it right away. The veterans just make sure we correct the small things, fine tune everything. Everybody's looking good so far."
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