The Big Interview: Riggs Abner
The 40th best prospect in Tennessee, Riggs Abner returns to a deep Mt. Juliet Golden Bear squad in 2019-2020.
Riggs Abner (#34 pictured lower right) ran with EAB 16u this summer after 15u the summer prior. Abner is up to 6-foot-6 as a springy, relentless offensive rebounder. His activity in the halfcourt makes him annoying to check. Further, Abner gets up and down the floor better than most forwards.
In August, Riggs Abner camped with Vanderbilt, South Alabama, and East Tennessee State. In June, Abner competed at the BCAT Camp.
He shared several minutes with PrepHoopsTN’s Andrew Force. All of Abner’s answers are bolded below.
What do expect from your high school team this year?
I think we will be better than last year’s team (which was 28-3) we shouldn’t lose a game in regular season or until state if we play as a team. We beat Oakland2x, Franklin, Hillsboro 2x, and Cane Ridge by 30 plus this summer. We were 17-1 in the summer losing to Knox Catholic in double OT.
This really is a huge opportunity this year with so many great juniors. Do you notice more maturity and focus from all the now upperclassmen players??
In my opinion, we work harder than anyone in the country. We are there as a team every morning at 6:30 before school and condition and weight lift every day. We are the most disciplined team I’ve ever been apart of.
Do you guys talk about what it could be?
I think the memory of how we lost to a team (Gallatin) we beat 4 times by 30 plus each time really motivates us and makes us never overlook a team.
We believe we are better than everyone we will simply because we outwork everyone.
Are there any players in your area that improved a lot…that will surprise people?
Charles Clark from Mount Juliet (class of 2022) should be a major part of our success. He’s really improved. I don’t know many guards more skilled than he is.
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