By Nick Mazzarella – STAFF WRITER
Hofstra men’s basketball head coach Joe Mihalich knows a thing or two about graduate transfers – remember Dion Nesmith and Zeke Upshaw? Six months ago, Pride fans learned that Mihalich landed another one when he announced the addition of Denton Koon. The 6-foot-8-inch forward played at Princeton for three seasons and graduated from the Ivy League with an economics degree. A native of Liberty, Missouri, Koon is in his final year of eligibility. He’ll make his Hofstra debut this Friday, Nov. 13, against Canisius.
Nick Mazzarella: Why did you decide to leave Princeton?
Denton Koon: The decision to leave Princeton initially was more forced than anything. I had suffered an injury to my knee last year in practice before the season started and I had to decide midseason last year whether or not I was going to come back. I decided to forgo the remaining 12 or so games in the season and get my full season back for this year.
NM: Why did you choose to come to Hofstra?
DK: I was being recruited by several schools. I think a combination of a lot of things allowed me to come here, like the coaching staff. When I came up here, I got to play pick-up with the team and meet the guys. I think a lot of good things are in place. Knowing it’s a one-year situation, the variables are a little bit more controlled. I think it’s a great situation.
NM: What’s it like going into the season as the favorite to win the conference? I know you were in the same spot in your sophomore year at Princeton.
DK: I don’t think the mentality changes a ton. It’s more about the process on a daily basis. Of course, you always hear people talking, but we always talk with Coach Mihalich and look at it as our own expectations. We’re expecting a lot of things out of ourselves. All you can do is worry about the daily grind and the process of getting better every day.
NM: You were a key addition because the frontcourt lacked depth last year. Now with Ibrahim Djambo out for the fall semester, do you think the depth at the forward position will be okay?
DK: Definitely. The nice thing is that the guys we do have available have played a lot of minutes. We have a couple of great freshmen in the backcourt to help with minutes. Like I said, the experience is going to help and we have guys who are going to be able to play high-volume minutes.
NM: If you hadn’t suffered a knee injury at Princeton last year, you wouldn’t be playing at Hofstra. Does that ever cross your mind?
DK: It’s always something there but you just take things one step at a time in life in general. It played out this way and I couldn’t be more excited to be here and have one more season to play. It’s been great and I’m looking forward to it.
NM: Guys like Juan’ya Green and Ameen Tanksley have played with each other and for the same coach for their entire college careers. For you, what’s it like adjusting to new teammates and a new coach?
DK: There are obviously things that every player does. I try to fill in the cracks a little bit after seeing what these guys can do. There’s a lot of great talent offensively. I just do as much as I can to fit in between and make plays as well as help those guys get shots and make plays for themselves.
NM: Even though you weren’t on last year’s team, is the heartbreaking CAA semifinal loss to William & Mary something that you think about? Do the guys use it as a source of motivation?
DK: Definitely. I’ve seen the footage several times and it’s brutal. It’s a tough way to end – no doubt about it. It’s definitely motivating. For me, it’s been a long time since I’ve played. I have motivations of my own on top of that and I’m just excited to be here. Obviously, we want to do as well as we can. I think a lot of good pieces are in place, so I’m looking forward to it.
