Florida State University Athletics
Seminoles Begin Season At Tip-Off Event
10/17/2024 6:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE – Surrounded by their most ardent supporters, the Florida State Men's Basketball team officially christened its 2024-25 season at an evening of celebration at the Seminole Boosters' sponsored Tip-Off event at the Champions Club in Doak Campbell Stadium. Head Coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff, along with more than 100 of the Seminoles' greatest fans, officially welcomed each of Florida State's 16 players into the Garnet and Gold family.
"We have five freshmen, we have three portal guys, and the National Junior College Player of the Year," said Hamilton as he addressed the excited group of attendees. "We have the quality of depth that's going to allow us to sustain our effort for longer periods of time, and I think it's going to make a difference in our fundamental play. We're able to get out and run a little better. Cuts will be a little harder. With improved perimeter shooting, I think we're moving in the right direction."
Hamilton, along with his staff and each of his players were introduced to the Seminole faithful for the first time before they take the court time in an exhibition game against St. Leo University at the Donald L. Tucker Center on October 24. The Seminoles will also play host to West Florida in an exhibition game on October 31 before beginning the regular season against Northern Kentucky on November 4.
Amid the fanfare of the Seminoles' returning players reconnecting with long-time fans, the Seminoles 10 new players on Florida State's roster were eager to greet the 'team behind the team' for the first time.
As Jeff Culhane, the Voice of the Seminoles, introduced each of the 16 players, he asked a multitude of questions many of which elicited self-illustrating answers from each of the players.
The answers ranged from a love for the city of Tallahassee and the beautiful North Florida weather, to a dislike of fried chicken (Anastasios Rozakeas), to insights on the best aspects of their game, the sports they played before becoming basketball stars (Waka Mbatch, soccer), and even the fact that a first scholarship offer came in the eighth grade (Alier Maluk).
"I was in eighth grade, and I was coming back from a tournament in Philadelphia," said Maluk. "I got a call from (current FSU assistant) Coach Nickelberry when he was at LSU and he offered me."
Maluk also spoke of his family and his journey to Florida State.
"I was born in Kenya," said Maluk. "Both my parents and my grandparents were with me when I was growing up. My dad went to Arizona to work in order to bring me and my mom to the United States from Kenya. I came to Pittsburgh when I was about three years old, and I started play basketball from there."
Culhane also spoke with freshman AJ Swinton who has quickly found a home at Florida State. As Swinton made his way to the stage, Culhane likened Swinton to Seminole great Terance Mann, who is set to begin his sixth season in the NBA after graduating from FSU in 2019.
"When I chose to play at Florida State, I wanted a place call home," said newcomer Swinton, who was the first commitment to the Seminoles' current freshman class. "I'm a downhill athlete. I like to attack the basket in transition, I am a catch and shoot threat, and I can clean up the backboards and block shots."
While each of the Seminoles was thoughtful and engaging, it was sophomore returner Mbatch who gave the fans a deep dive into his basketball history.
"I saw Kevin Durant play with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson," said Mbatch of his first basketball memory. "I didn't know what basketball was; I was a soccer player. I had a friend who said "you look like KD. You are tall and skinny just like him. You've got to go play basketball.'"
Mbatch's journey to pick up a basketball at age 14 for the first time enthralled the crowd.
"I wanted to play basketball, but I didn't have the opportunity," said Mbatch. "Where I'm from, basketball is not well-known. I started to play on the concrete, just dribbling the ball with no basketball shoes. That's where my opportunity to play the game began.
"As I began developing my skills, it was hard because we didn't have coaches who were knowledgeable about the game. We all used to watch NBA games on You-Tube because we couldn't watch the games live. That's when I started learning the game and wanted to become a great player."
Hamilton, who has been inducted into seven Halls of Fame during his career, summed up the night and revved up the crowd excited for the upcoming season.
"We really like this team and based up the reception of our guys and our fans here tonight, I know you will too," said Hamilton. "We are excited for this season, and we hope you will be also.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
"We have five freshmen, we have three portal guys, and the National Junior College Player of the Year," said Hamilton as he addressed the excited group of attendees. "We have the quality of depth that's going to allow us to sustain our effort for longer periods of time, and I think it's going to make a difference in our fundamental play. We're able to get out and run a little better. Cuts will be a little harder. With improved perimeter shooting, I think we're moving in the right direction."
Hamilton, along with his staff and each of his players were introduced to the Seminole faithful for the first time before they take the court time in an exhibition game against St. Leo University at the Donald L. Tucker Center on October 24. The Seminoles will also play host to West Florida in an exhibition game on October 31 before beginning the regular season against Northern Kentucky on November 4.
Amid the fanfare of the Seminoles' returning players reconnecting with long-time fans, the Seminoles 10 new players on Florida State's roster were eager to greet the 'team behind the team' for the first time.
As Jeff Culhane, the Voice of the Seminoles, introduced each of the 16 players, he asked a multitude of questions many of which elicited self-illustrating answers from each of the players.
The answers ranged from a love for the city of Tallahassee and the beautiful North Florida weather, to a dislike of fried chicken (Anastasios Rozakeas), to insights on the best aspects of their game, the sports they played before becoming basketball stars (Waka Mbatch, soccer), and even the fact that a first scholarship offer came in the eighth grade (Alier Maluk).
"I was in eighth grade, and I was coming back from a tournament in Philadelphia," said Maluk. "I got a call from (current FSU assistant) Coach Nickelberry when he was at LSU and he offered me."
Maluk also spoke of his family and his journey to Florida State.
"I was born in Kenya," said Maluk. "Both my parents and my grandparents were with me when I was growing up. My dad went to Arizona to work in order to bring me and my mom to the United States from Kenya. I came to Pittsburgh when I was about three years old, and I started play basketball from there."
Culhane also spoke with freshman AJ Swinton who has quickly found a home at Florida State. As Swinton made his way to the stage, Culhane likened Swinton to Seminole great Terance Mann, who is set to begin his sixth season in the NBA after graduating from FSU in 2019.
"When I chose to play at Florida State, I wanted a place call home," said newcomer Swinton, who was the first commitment to the Seminoles' current freshman class. "I'm a downhill athlete. I like to attack the basket in transition, I am a catch and shoot threat, and I can clean up the backboards and block shots."
While each of the Seminoles was thoughtful and engaging, it was sophomore returner Mbatch who gave the fans a deep dive into his basketball history.
"I saw Kevin Durant play with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson," said Mbatch of his first basketball memory. "I didn't know what basketball was; I was a soccer player. I had a friend who said "you look like KD. You are tall and skinny just like him. You've got to go play basketball.'"
Mbatch's journey to pick up a basketball at age 14 for the first time enthralled the crowd.
"I wanted to play basketball, but I didn't have the opportunity," said Mbatch. "Where I'm from, basketball is not well-known. I started to play on the concrete, just dribbling the ball with no basketball shoes. That's where my opportunity to play the game began.
"As I began developing my skills, it was hard because we didn't have coaches who were knowledgeable about the game. We all used to watch NBA games on You-Tube because we couldn't watch the games live. That's when I started learning the game and wanted to become a great player."
Hamilton, who has been inducted into seven Halls of Fame during his career, summed up the night and revved up the crowd excited for the upcoming season.
"We really like this team and based up the reception of our guys and our fans here tonight, I know you will too," said Hamilton. "We are excited for this season, and we hope you will be also.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
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