Holdovers help HPU hoops transition
Oct. 12—HIGH POINT — As new High Point University head coach Alan Huss went through the process of determining which players would be good fits to retain, not all the decisions revolved around basketball.
When the dust settled, just six players remained from last year's squad coached by G.G. Smith. Of those, only three are scholarship players — guards Bryson Childress, Abdoulaye Thiam and Justin Taylor. The others are walkons Liam Carney, A.J. Hoynack and Camren Little.
"All three (scholarship) guys were guys who take care of business, not only on the basketball floor but also in life," Huss said. "No matter who I asked ... they answered with a resounding theme that all three of those guys were the right kind of guys. Really, when you count the walkons, all six of the guys from last year are guys who do the right things. That's of critical importance when you are trying to establish a program and things like paying attention to detail and recognizing there are things bigger than them."
Thiam, a shooting guard who transferred into the program from Minnesota last year as a redshirt sophomore, played in all 31 games for the Panthers and is the top returning scorer, having averaged 13.6 points per game. Childress, a senior, has been a reserve known for his defensive spark and 3-point shooting. Taylor averaged nine minutes in 25 games as a freshman last season.
"We need people who can shoot the basketball naturally and all three can shoot the basketball," Huss said. "But it was more about the other stuff. We needed people who would help be the foundation. Bryson and Laye have made a lot of shots in games and Justin has shown the ability in practices. All three are tireless workers. When you are trying to lay things foundationally, these guys are committed to making themselves better."
Childress described the departure of Smith, which was announced not long after a 14-17 season that was the fourth straight losing mark, as abrupt. He said the culture under Huss is markedly different.
"It's been an adjustment for us," Childress said. "This new staff really values hard work and being in the gym 24/7. We've always been hard workers but they are putting a new definition on that.I'm getting used to putting in more work as I did as a freshman and want to go out on a strong note with this new staff."
Thiam said he has embraced a leadership role.
"It's been a cultural shock and culture change," Thiam said. "For me and Bryson, it's just to lead and show the new guys how it's done and be there when things aren't going right. The coaches are holding us accountable in the weight room, off the court, on the court. So it's everything we do."
Huss, who was an assistant coach at Creighton, believes the leadership role is particularly important at High Point because students in general are held to a higher standard.
"Especially at a place at High Point where there's an intimate feel," Huss said. "There's a way you are expected to carry yourself and that's not only student-athletes. All those guys have done a nice job of pointing out the good, the bad, the things to stay away from, the things you emphasize. We've been happy with that."
Some of last year's players put their names in the transfer portal in between the departure of Smith and the hiring of Huss. Others decided to leave after meeting with Huss.
"A lot of the guys who left are good friends," Childress said. The style we're now playing, it fits with what some guys can do and it didn't fit some other guys. But I put myself apart from that. I just wanted to be part of what happens here, old guys or new guys. I trust what coach Huss wants to do and I was trying to be there for the new guys and the old guys. I'm glad some of my old friends found good homes and I've met a lot of my guys who are talented and are good friends now. That transition for me was being neutral, being open-minded towards everything."
Childress, who has his degree and is working toward an MBA, said Huss was upfront about what he expected of his players and how his program would work.
"He came in and told us what he thought and how it would be and was straight up with everybody," Childress said. "He didn't have to sell me on staying. It's High Point. I love it here and already have my degree from here.
Thiam admitted he was unsure if he would stay after Huss was hired.
"I had some thoughts about leaving but I talked to coach Huss and he made me feel comfortable," Thiam said. " We have all this here, but we don't have any banners in the rafters. We wanted to be the first to do so. That's one of the reasons I chose to stay here, to help coach Huss do it."
Childress, Thiam and Thomas helped host every recruit that visited High Point, more than 20 according to Huss, who signed 10 as he filled out the roster.
"They helped get this team here," Huss said. "All were so important as we made the transition."
As far as the new offense installed by Huss, Childress and Thiam are enjoying it.
"The old system was creating for yourself," Childress said. "This creating for somebody else.. . . Everyone gets shots if you run it right. We had trouble doing that at first. But now we're getting the hang of it."
Added Thiam: "It's been easier to play individually. It's been easier for me to make plays. Since coach came here, the biggest things for me have been making my reads and playing off two feet and making the right decision. It's been a challenge. But I'm starting to get it and get comfortable."
