An Interview With Dezmine Wells

As stated yesterday, we had the opportunity to catch up with Dezmine Wells (Word of God) last week. Wells has been one of the names that has been buzzing quite a bit on the AAU circuit this summer. This summer Dezmine has had the chance to show everyone that his game is much more diverse than many may have thought. Last year at Word of God Dezmine was forced to spend more time down low rather than out on the wing. Playing with the CP3 All-Stars this summer Wells has had the opportunity to play at the guard slot, which he believes is his most natural position. Dezmine has flourished this summer with the ball in his hands attacking the basket and making plays.

WPH: We know that NC State has shown some interest in you over the past year. How much has that interest increased over the summer?

Wells: During the school season they weren’t showing me that much interest because of the way my coach played me down low. At the Adidas Take 5ive they saw a different player. They said they liked my style of play. They liked that I was a hard-nosed defender. Coach Lowe talked to my AAU coach and told him that they were offering me a scholarship. Coach Lowe called me and he told me that he was going to go about recruiting me the right way and that he was very interested in me and loved the way that I played.

WPH: Obviously there are other schools that are showing interest in you, but how much does it mean to you that a school right in your backyard is pushing hard for you?

Wells: It’s a big deal and I really appreciate it. I’m really thankful for everything that’s coming at me right now, and I’m just trying to take it all in.

WPH: We have had the chance to watch you play on numerous occasions and it is obvious that you have a strength advantage on most of your opponents that guard you. You look like a football player out there. Do you spend a lot of time in the gym?

Wells: I actually have never really lifted weights very much. My coaches are really encouraging me to get in the gym and that is something that I’m really going to do this year. Maybe I’m strong because I did a lot of push-ups growing up. My mom didn’t beat or spank me, she just made me do push-ups when I got into trouble. I guess you could say I did a lot of push-ups. I also played football (Quarterback) up until after my freshmen year. I definitely can use my athletic ability and strength to my advantage. I can play the 1, the 2 or the 3. I know that if I can get a guy on my side that it is over. I’m also strong enough to guard a guy in the post.

WPH: Who would you say that you pattern your game after?

Wells: I really love the way that both Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans play the game, so I guess you could say I pattern my game after those guys.

WPH: What can we expect from Word of God in the upcoming season?

Wells: I think we are going the have a really strong team. A lot is going to be expected of me at the guard position, and I’ll probably see time at all three positions out on the perimeter. I talked with C.J. Leslie earlier this week and we were talking about how we were excited and ready for the season to get here.

Thanks Dezmine!