Hialeah Native Tanis Talks PG Year, Honoring Slain Miami Teammate
Zach Smart
PH: Which attribute of your game have you increased and expanded on the most in this post-graduate season (at Believe Academy)? How have you improved on a day-to-day basis?
MT: I've really adjusted to more of a point guard role. So, I'm more set on creating for my teammates and finding them in the best positions to score. If I can make guys better, I feel as if I've done my part. I look to create first and score second.
PH: Speaking of scoring, you've had some recent performances in which you've gotten hot and shouldered the scoring load. Which game has been most memorable this year?
MT: My best game was definitely when I scored 30 points against Union College (JUCO). Everything was clicking for my that day, the basket just looked so good. Even better, Union offered me after the game. So, it was definitely a step in the right direction. Personally for me, it showed I could handle both aspects and add this at the next level.
PH: What role do you subscribe to on this team and what does coach (Jackie) Green expect from you?
MT: I would say my role really is to set the tone each game by leading us on the offensive end and the defensive end. Defense is really a big part of what we do so I try to break up passes, get into the passing lanes, get deflections. All of that good stuff.
PH: It has not been any easy year for you, not by any stretch of the imagination.
You lost a beloved teammate in Malcolm Nicholas III. A lot of people know the story by now, a promising young man with Division-I offers and a glowing personality was killed by senseless, random gun violence.
Malcolm's Godfather, South Carolina head coach Frank Martin and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem were outspoken about the great pain it caused them and the city of Miami.
For you personally though, having played with Malcolm at Mater High under Shakey Rodriguez and having come to Tennessee with him as your tight friend, it hits extra hard.
How has this tragic event impacted you? Especially on a day like today, which happens to be Malcolm's birthday.
MT: It hurts still to this day. I feel pain every day. All I can do, though, is give it my all each and every game for him and leave it all out there.
