Devin Askew 1-on-1: His role this year, next year, and March Madness anxiousness
Ever since he saw Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier lead the Connecticut Huskies through March Madness, Texas guard Devin Askew knew he wanted to be a part of it.
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“One day, I want to play in that tournament,” Askew said Monday, recalling NCAA Tournament memories.
That day arrives on Friday for the 6-foot-3 sophomore transfer from Kentucky, when six-seed Texas takes on 11-seed Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Askew graduated early from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., in order to arrive a year early at John Calipari’s Kentucky program. He entered the transfer portal on April 5, 2021 after one season in Lexington, and committed to Chris Beard’s program eight days later.
Askew is one of the youngest players in Beard’s rotation made up mostly of juniors and seniors. This year, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 assists in 15 minutes per game.
Askew plays a key role as the backup point guard behind Marcus Carr, who sees the talent in the player ranked No. 25 overall in the 2020 On3 Consensus.
“Dev is a great young player,” Carr said Monday. “He’s done a great job this year of just soaking everything up, listening to us vets. He does a lot of key stuff for us that a) might not show up on the stat sheet or b) just gives us energy. He’s a great guy to be on the team (with) and we all know the bright future that Dev has. The sky’s the limit for him and he’s really just getting started.”
Inside Texas caught up with Askew on Monday to talk about his Texas career, the NCAA Tournament, and what’s next for him on the Forty Acres.
IT: Do you let yourself think about maybe facing Kentucky in the Sweet 16?
Askew: “We’re going one game at a time. We’re focused on Virginia Tech. They’re a good team. We respect them, so our focus is on Virginia Tech.”
IT: If you look around this room there are a lot of juniors and seniors. You’re the youngest guy who gets a bunch of minutes. How do you feel you’ve done this year playing backup to Courtney Ramey and Marcus Carr?
Askew: “I feel like I’ve done well. I’ve accepted my role. I’m really humbling myself, and getting to be a better player is going to set me up for the future. I think I’ve done well. I’m learning, and I’m having fun.
IT: You’re coming back, correct?
Askew: “Of course. I’ve got to.”
IT: Watching your game, I think a lot of people know you have the athleticism and you have the ball handling, but people might want to see more from you offensively. What do you think you need to do, maybe not in the next couple of games, but going forward in your career here?
Askew: “I’m just playing my role this year. My role this year is to be a ball mover, to be aggressive, to get in the lane and kick it, and take open shots when they’re there. My role will evolve and you’ll see a little bit more of an aggressive side from me.”
IT: Even when 2022 signee Arterio Morris arrives on campus, you’re going to still likely have a leg up on the competition to be the starting point guard (depending on what Carr decides to do). Are you ready for that bigger role of being the starting point guard?
Askew: “Yes. I’m excited and I can’t wait, but I’m focused on this year right now and staying locked in on my role this year.”
IT: You played at one high-level program last year, you’re playing at another high level program this year. Have you been able to tell from these old guys who, maybe if this is their last run, want to make this run count?
Askew: “Absolutely. It’s a different feeling, a different type of anxiousness to get it done. We’ll fight to do anything to keep winning.”
Texas’ game with the Hokies tips of at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. on Friday at 3:30 p.m. It will be televised on TBS.
