Strength coach Garrett Medenwald updates Tennessee Basketball's offseason progress

What Tennessee Basketball coach Garrett Medenwald said Monday afternoon while updating the progress made by the Vols during the offseason:

His first impressions of Tennessee’s new players on roster

“It’s always fun when you start out in the summer, you set out and you look at things on paper, then you get the guys on campus and start meeting with them. My favorite thing to do is meet with them one on one. First thing we’ll do before we do any type of testing to know where they’re at physically is to get to know each one of them. And it’s fun. What I love about our program is the character of people that we get. It’s testament to coach (Rick Barnes) and our coaching staff. So we’re really lucky to have a great group of guys. And so you get guys on campus and you start to meet with them and get to know a little bit of how they tick and how they work. And you get an understanding of where they came from and what they want. And so it’s really unique because they all have a common goal. They want to do something together as a unit, new, something special. So it’s really fun so far just watching how they all come together, watching guys step up and get uncomfortable in different places. Because at the end of the day, we all need adversity to grow.”

Tennessee freshman Nate Ament’s build, how he compares to previous players he’s worked with

“I’ve been really lucky to work with some amazing players, and everybody’s unique, so I don’t like to compare guys at all because your body is different than my body. Everybody in here has a different structure and a different build and a different mentality. And so with that, you want to treat everybody like an individual and find out how you can help them make them their best. For Nate, it’s been incredible because he’s been a guy that’s coming in, doing extra work, trying to change that frame and trying to build it. Understanding how hard it is to put that mass on for him is challenging. Obviously, the caloric intake that he needs to put in is huge. And so learning the habits that go along with the training, it’s been fun to watch him make strides and make gains and make growth. And it’s amazing to think we only have a couple more weeks in the summer, but I’m excited to see where it ends up. And then his growth process throughout the course of the season.”

How much different the challenge is to prepare a freshman to play a lot of minutes throughout the season

“Well, I think at the end of the day, the best part about this whole process is that growth process. Everybody has a different journey and so everybody’s path is a little bit different within that journey. And so really, freshman, sophomore, junior, everybody has that path and that story and that journey that they’re taking to be their best. Because even what a sophomore or junior did last year, their role is going to look completely different this year. And so everybody’s on a different journey right now. But it is fun to watch the big transformation because when you’ve been around a program, been in college basketball, it’s a lot different when it comes to what goes into the work every single day. And so watching the mentality is the biggest piece grow. The intensity you’ve got to bring every single day, the work ethic, huge. And then the extra work that you got to do when it comes to your vitamins, your extra shots, your nutrition, your sleep, that goes into being the best version of yourself. That’s the best part for me is watching that transformation from the start to the end of the season.”

How different Tennessee center Felix Okpara looks after a year in this program

“It’s been, like I said, completely different from the summer. He knows what to expect. He’s been more vocal than he was the previous summer because now he stepped into a senior role and he’s been around, he knows what to expect. So what’s amazing to me is hearing him on Friday mornings calling guys out, hearing him talk during practice, the mentality he’s taken towards this year. It’s been incredible to watch the growth from last year to this year. And I’m really excited to see as the season progress, his voice continue to grow.”

The status of Tennessee forward JP Estrella coming off foot surgery last November

“Yeah, I mean, anytime you’re coming back from something like that, it’s huge. 

The process is really challenging. Everybody thinks it’s just going to be this linear process, but it’s not. There’s ups and downs throughout the course of the path and you need undulations and stress. So you need more stress and lower stress to keep building. And so his has been a continual adaption of stress for the build. And his mentality has been incredible. Every day he’s coming in doing something. And so I’m really proud of his mentality because it’s not easy. I don’t care who you are, when you go through something adverse or tough, you learn a little bit more about yourself. So I’ve been really proud of his mentality and how he’s grown from the situation and continuing to improve.” 

Watching former Tennessee players compete in the NBA Summer League

“It was so funny. I got some pictures from people at Summer League, and they sent me pictures of guys competing against each other on the court, and it just brings a big smile to your face when you watch them compete against each other. But we’re all here to help them accomplish their dreams. And so to watch those guys be on the court and have a chance to accomplish their dreams and continue to build towards the journey to their best, there’s nothing better than that to watch. And knowing the work that they put in to get there. So it’s a testament to them and it’s just really amazing to watch them compete. And to have nine Vols out there is incredible testament to this program and testament to those guys and the work that they do.”