DRIVE Basketball :: Coaches Corner : Coach Driscoll

Shyatt is actively involved in coaching in various summer programs for Five-Star, USC, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Not only was he a great scorer, but he also had the ability to make everyone around him better, as a great point guard."

Shyatt on Randolph Childress

"The first thing we always look for is your grades. If we see you as a potential problem, we don’t want you a part of our team."

Click to download the 2004-2005 NCAA College-Bound Student-Athlete Handbook.

"If you want to play college basketball someday, be prepared to dedicate the next two years of your life to playing hoops."

1 ON 1 WITH UNC GRADUATE ASSISTANT COACH JEREMY SHYATT

DRIVE recently sat down with the Graduate Assistant coach for the University of South Carolina Jeremy Shyatt. Shyatt, the oldest son of former Clemson coach and University of Florida assistant Larry Shyatt, came to USC after completing his degree in Marketing at Clemson University in 2003. Shyatt lettered once as a member of the Clemson University basketball team in 2002 and acted as the student-coach for Clemson in 2003. Shyatt is very active in the summers as he works for the prestigious Five-Star Basketball camp in Pittsburgh, and has served as the director of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavalier summer basketball camps for the last three years. Shyatt is a young up and comer in the coaching field and DRIVE wants to thank him for taking the time to chat with us and give players growing up in B.C. some advice on how to get a college scholarship.

DRIVE: What’s up Jeremy, we want to thank you for chatting with us and really taking an interest about hoops over here in B.C.

JS: No problems, thanks for having me do this. DRIVE is great for hoops out there in Vancouver. Hoops in Canada is booming, we just came back from a trip to Ottawa, I was impressed with the programs out there.

DRIVE: Thanks, I want to start by asking you about conferences in the NCAA. You played in the ACC (as a walk-on for Clemson University 1999-2000) and now coach in the SEC, (USC) in your mind what is the best conference in the NCAA?

JS: There is no question that these two conferences are two of the best in America. To me, the biggest difference so far is the type of players that make up the leagues. The ACC seems to have more skilled, methodical type basketball players, while the SEC seems to have more quickness and athleticism. At this point heading into the 2004-2005 season, however, I would have to say the ACC is the stronger conference. Preseason, there are four legitimate Top 10 teams in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Duke, with Maryland not too far behind. I see the leaders from the SEC (Kentucky and Mississippi State) finding themselves somewhere in the Top 15.

DRIVE: You grew up in the College game, who are some of the best players you have seen play in College?

JS: Growing up watching the Big East and ACC primarily, I did have the luxury of watching some of the best college basketball players to play the game. Randolph Childress of Wake Forest really stands out in my mind as a player that could take over a game by himself. Not only was he a great scorer, but he also had the ability to make everyone around him better, as a great point guard. He helped Wake Forest to solidifying themselves as the ACC power they are today.

DRIVE: What is the best team you have seen play in College?

JS: Without a doubt, the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats had the largest collection of talent on one team that I can remember in recent history. Their starters had NBA names of Walter McCarty, Antoine Walker, and Tony Delk. But they also had a 2nd five off the bench, including Ron Mercer and Derek Anderson who were younger, but had just as much potential. This team won the 1996 National Championship.

DRIVE: Okay, what about this year? Who’s going to be dancing in March?

JS: I really think this season has no clear-cut favorite, and that is going to make for an exciting year. However, I like Wake Forest right now, in that they have arguably the best backcourt in the country (Chris Paul, Taron Downey, and Justin Gray). They have everyone back from a year ago where the team advanced to the Sweet 16.

DRIVE: Your dad coaches at the University of Florida in the SEC, how is going to be coaching against your dad and what should we expect when USC plays Florida?

JS: Although on paper, one would say Florida has the better team, I think it will be two great games between the Gators and Gamecocks. We have total opposite teams in that Florida shoots the ball well, has size, but not a lot of speed or athleticism, and South Carolina is very small, but is one of the best defensive teams in the country because of their speed and athleticism. It is going to be weird coaching against my dad and Coach Donovan, because they are great guys, but probably the weirdest thing will be my mom with Florida colors cheering against me too.

DRIVE: Okay, now the details, what does USC look for in potential recruits for the basketball program?

JS: The first thing we always look for is your grades. If we see you as a potential problem, we don’t want you a part of our team. We are always looking for guys that can make an impact right away for our team. That means looking at everyone in the process. We keep detailed lists of high school, junior college, and transfer players on file.

DRIVE: Alright, what is the best way to get a basketball scholarship?

JS: Play, play, play!!! The more exposure you can create for yourself, the better. This is the case especially as you enter your Junior season in high school. If you want to play college basketball someday, be prepared to dedicate the next two years of your life to playing hoops. If a coach does contact you, first impressions are important. They have a good idea of how good you are as a player, but you must show them that you are a good person and a good student as well.

DRIVE: Great, thanks for the info Jeremy. DRIVE wants to wish you the and the Gamecocks the best of luck in your coming SEC Season. Are there any last words of advice you would give kids growing up in B.C.?

JS: If you’ve paid attention to the last few NBA drafts, scouts are now searching all over the world to find the best players for college and professional ranks. Keep working hard and good things will happen to you. But above all, have fun playing basketball. If you don’t have fun doing it, then it’s not worth it!!! Thanks again to DRIVE, hopefully I can make it out to a DRIVE camp this summer, Good luck to all of you guys as you start your seasons. Go Gamecocks!!!