Florida State University Athletics
Confidence At A Peak For Swinton As Seminoles Travel To Play At Virginia
3/3/2025 11:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – For Florida State's AJ Swinton, the arrival of the month of February brought an incredible sense of confidence to a freshman who has always been a confident player.
As a 2024 graduate of Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va., he was a McDonald's All-American game nominee, led the Knights to 23 wins and a national ranking, earned All-WCAC honors by the Washington Post, and was named to the All-Tournament team at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach.
In the Seminoles' eight games since the start of February, Swinton scored his freshman season scoring-high (10 points at Boston College), earned his top rebounding total (four against Boston College), earned the first start of his career (in the Seminoles win over the Fighting Irish), and earned his high watermark for minutes played during his first year in Tallahassee (21 against Notre Dame).
The crowning moment of his first season in Tallahassee came in the Seminoles' victory over Miami at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
Swinton made two of the biggest shots of his 25-game Florida State career – within 33 seconds of each other – as he hit two 3-point shots in the second half of the Seminoles' victory over the Hurricanes. His shots at the 9:20 and 8:47 marks (with no timeouts in between) helped the Seminoles erase a three point second half deficit and sent the Seminoles to their 14th win over the Hurricanes in the last 15 games between the two teams. Swinton's first 3-pointer broke a 45-45 tie and gave the Seminoles a 48-45 lead and the second gave Florida State a six point advantage with a 53-47 lead – a lead that never dropped below five in earning the home team the victory.
"Those were rhythm shots, and honestly, they were created by my teammates," said Swinton. "They put me in the right spots. All I had to do was step up and knock them down. As soon as the ball left my hand, I knew they were good. Those are the same shots I take every day in warmups and practice."
As Florida State travels to play at Virginia on Tuesday, Swinton's confidence has never been higher. The Seminoles and the Cavaliers are set to tip-off at 9:00 p.m. The final road game of the ACC season for the Seminoles will be televised by the ACC Network.
"The biggest reason for my confidence right now is the excitement of the moment," said Swinton. "As we get closer to the postseason, the stakes get higher, and that fuels me. Instead of overthinking, I'm just playing free and trusting my game."
Swinton's month began with his first double figure scoring performance with 10 points on the road at Boston College. Against the Eagles, the social sciences major made four of six field goal attempts including his first multiple 3-point shots made game of his career. He also tied his career-high with four rebounds.
Based on his performance against Boston College, Swinton earned his first career starting assignment against Notre Dame. He responded with a stat sheet stuffer game against the Fighting Irish with nine points on a career-high five of six free throws made, one assist and one steal.
"Honestly, I was nervous at first," said Swinton. "But my teammates had my back, reminding me that I'd started plenty of big games before. They told me to just go out there, have fun, and play my game, and that really helped me settle in."
Swinton enters Tuesday's game against Virginia on the heels of a seven-point, two-rebound performance in his first appearance in Cameron Indoor Stadium against Duke. Against the Blue Devils, he was a perfect two of two from the free throw line and made his eighth 3-point field goal of the season.
In Florida State's eight games since the start of the month of February Swinton is averaging 5.4 points (as compared to 1.9 points per game in the first 17 games of his career), 2.1 rebounds (as compared to his 1.1 rebounds per game average on November, December, and January) and is shooting .778 from the free throw line (as compared to .500 in his first 17 games).
Swinton has made five of his eight 3-point shots for the season since the calendar turned to February.
"AJ is so competitive that he doesn't allow a mistake to bother him," said Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton after the Seminoles' victory over Miami on February 19. "He's confident. He's developed that mindset that 'I'm just going to give it all I have.' He missed the first, but he took his time and held his follow through. He has all the ingredients, and it just shows the maturity in the growth that he has developed over the years. There was no hesitation on his part, and I'm very proud of him."
Swinton has had Florida State's game at Virginia circled on his own personal schedule mainly because of its proximity to his home in Cabin John, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C. He'll have a large contingent of family and friends make the drive along the Blue Ridge mountains to see their hero suit up for Florida State. Among his group of family and friends cheering on Swinton's every move in the court, will be his mom, Danielle Swinton, who has always been her son's biggest fan.
"This game is special for me, one I've been looking forward to for a long time," said Swinton. "I have eight family members and friends coming out to support me and my teammates. Growing up in the DMV (the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area's National Capital Region), I was a big ACC fan, and with my grandfather and cousin having attended UVA, this game means even more.
"My mom has been to nine games this year. Her support means everything to me. Even when she can't make it in person, she rearranges her work schedule to make sure she's watching. That kind of dedication pushes me to go even harder."
With only two games remaining on the Seminoles' regular season schedule, Swinton is hopeful to continue his run of recent success as his play and confidence continue to shoot skyward.
As a 2024 graduate of Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va., he was a McDonald's All-American game nominee, led the Knights to 23 wins and a national ranking, earned All-WCAC honors by the Washington Post, and was named to the All-Tournament team at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach.
In the Seminoles' eight games since the start of February, Swinton scored his freshman season scoring-high (10 points at Boston College), earned his top rebounding total (four against Boston College), earned the first start of his career (in the Seminoles win over the Fighting Irish), and earned his high watermark for minutes played during his first year in Tallahassee (21 against Notre Dame).
The crowning moment of his first season in Tallahassee came in the Seminoles' victory over Miami at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
Swinton made two of the biggest shots of his 25-game Florida State career – within 33 seconds of each other – as he hit two 3-point shots in the second half of the Seminoles' victory over the Hurricanes. His shots at the 9:20 and 8:47 marks (with no timeouts in between) helped the Seminoles erase a three point second half deficit and sent the Seminoles to their 14th win over the Hurricanes in the last 15 games between the two teams. Swinton's first 3-pointer broke a 45-45 tie and gave the Seminoles a 48-45 lead and the second gave Florida State a six point advantage with a 53-47 lead – a lead that never dropped below five in earning the home team the victory.
"Those were rhythm shots, and honestly, they were created by my teammates," said Swinton. "They put me in the right spots. All I had to do was step up and knock them down. As soon as the ball left my hand, I knew they were good. Those are the same shots I take every day in warmups and practice."
As Florida State travels to play at Virginia on Tuesday, Swinton's confidence has never been higher. The Seminoles and the Cavaliers are set to tip-off at 9:00 p.m. The final road game of the ACC season for the Seminoles will be televised by the ACC Network.
"The biggest reason for my confidence right now is the excitement of the moment," said Swinton. "As we get closer to the postseason, the stakes get higher, and that fuels me. Instead of overthinking, I'm just playing free and trusting my game."
Swinton's month began with his first double figure scoring performance with 10 points on the road at Boston College. Against the Eagles, the social sciences major made four of six field goal attempts including his first multiple 3-point shots made game of his career. He also tied his career-high with four rebounds.
Based on his performance against Boston College, Swinton earned his first career starting assignment against Notre Dame. He responded with a stat sheet stuffer game against the Fighting Irish with nine points on a career-high five of six free throws made, one assist and one steal.
"Honestly, I was nervous at first," said Swinton. "But my teammates had my back, reminding me that I'd started plenty of big games before. They told me to just go out there, have fun, and play my game, and that really helped me settle in."
Swinton enters Tuesday's game against Virginia on the heels of a seven-point, two-rebound performance in his first appearance in Cameron Indoor Stadium against Duke. Against the Blue Devils, he was a perfect two of two from the free throw line and made his eighth 3-point field goal of the season.
In Florida State's eight games since the start of the month of February Swinton is averaging 5.4 points (as compared to 1.9 points per game in the first 17 games of his career), 2.1 rebounds (as compared to his 1.1 rebounds per game average on November, December, and January) and is shooting .778 from the free throw line (as compared to .500 in his first 17 games).
Swinton has made five of his eight 3-point shots for the season since the calendar turned to February.
"AJ is so competitive that he doesn't allow a mistake to bother him," said Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton after the Seminoles' victory over Miami on February 19. "He's confident. He's developed that mindset that 'I'm just going to give it all I have.' He missed the first, but he took his time and held his follow through. He has all the ingredients, and it just shows the maturity in the growth that he has developed over the years. There was no hesitation on his part, and I'm very proud of him."
Swinton has had Florida State's game at Virginia circled on his own personal schedule mainly because of its proximity to his home in Cabin John, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C. He'll have a large contingent of family and friends make the drive along the Blue Ridge mountains to see their hero suit up for Florida State. Among his group of family and friends cheering on Swinton's every move in the court, will be his mom, Danielle Swinton, who has always been her son's biggest fan.
"This game is special for me, one I've been looking forward to for a long time," said Swinton. "I have eight family members and friends coming out to support me and my teammates. Growing up in the DMV (the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area's National Capital Region), I was a big ACC fan, and with my grandfather and cousin having attended UVA, this game means even more.
"My mom has been to nine games this year. Her support means everything to me. Even when she can't make it in person, she rearranges her work schedule to make sure she's watching. That kind of dedication pushes me to go even harder."
With only two games remaining on the Seminoles' regular season schedule, Swinton is hopeful to continue his run of recent success as his play and confidence continue to shoot skyward.
Players Mentioned
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