Newcomer Q&A: Curt Lewis
Over the next few days this week, we'll run a Q&A with a handful of newcomers on the Mizzou basketball roster for the 2023-24 season. We start this week with John A. Logan Community College transfer and reigning NJCAA Player of the Year Curt Lewis.
What have your first couple of months in Missouri been like?
CL: They've been great. My favorite thing so far has definitely been traveling to Jamaica with the team. Other than that, it's been a great experience. Columbia reminds me of Louisville in a way just because it's not too big, not too small, it's not too many things to do. So yeah, it's been great.
Tell me more about the Jamaica trip. What stood out to you about it?
CL: How much team bonding we did and how much more we got to know each other. And I've been on a lot of different teams, but it's never been something like that where we had to actually come together and get to know each other. So that was probably the biggest thing in Jamaica. And then just me getting here so late, and I was coming in kind of shy, they made me open up. And I feel like that's gonna take us a long way, especially on and off the court.
What made you open up a little more with this team?
CL: Just knowing that I'm gonna know these guys the rest of my life, just knowing they got my back and stuff like that. I feel like us opening up to each other, we know how to approach each and everyone now, just by going through what someone has been through, what I've been through. So me, I feel like that's going to help in the long run.
What stands out to you about this team?
CL: On the court, I would say how different it is like coming from a junior college. I knew coming from junior college to the SEC wass gonna be different, but it was definitely a big difference, just talent-wise and physicality-wise.
Do you feel like it's been a bigger adjustment for you on the court or off the court, going to a new school?
CL: I would probably say off the court, just battling time management and stuff like that, knowing we got so much in the day. Because coming from junior college, man, our schedule is so easy. Like, you just practice in the morning and probably have one class and I'm done by 2 p.m. Here, high-majors, it's totally different. Like, we've got film sessions, practices, study halls. So there's just been a lot of off-the-court things that I had to adjust to.
What's it been like reconnecting with Sean East II, getting to play on the same team as him?
CL: It's been great. Like I said, I've been knowing Sean since, I'll say, the sixth grade. And since then, we've had that connection. We stayed in touch all the time. And once we both realized we had a chance to play with each other again, coming to Mizzou with him and (assistant coach Kyle) Smithpeters was really a no-brainer. I'm definitely excited to play with Sean.
What are some of your goals and expectations for yourself and for the team this year?
CL: For myself, just being an all-defensive guy. Because I know I can score and do a lot of different things. I want to challenge myself on the defensive end. And then for the team, the main goal is just to get to Phoenix and win the championship.
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