Texas Tech University Athletics
Catching Up with Kasib Powell
April 11, 2008 | Men's Basketball
April 11, 2008
by Jonathan Butnick, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
Prior to the 2001-02 season, then-head coach Bob Knight and the Texas Tech men's basketball team welcomed a junior college transfer from Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, to the program looking to add athleticism and versatility to their lineup. For the next two seasons, Kasib Powell tormented opponents in the Big 12 Conference as a dynamic force who impacted the game at both ends of the floor. Powell finished his career 30th all-time in school history in scoring, having tallied 1,009 points in just 67 games, posting a 49.2% field goal percentage and collecting 410 rebounds, appearing at a variety of positions for the Red Raiders.
Powell spent the next three years in training camps and preseason stints with the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and Indiana Pacers, before landing in the NBA's Development League last winter as a member of the Sioux Falls (South Dakota) Skyforce. On March 22, he was called up to the Miami Heat's active squad on a 10-day contract, appearing in six games before being optioned back to Sioux Falls at the beginning of April. On April 6, he was named the "D-League" MVP after leading his team in scoring at 22.3 points per game, and two days later he was brought back to the Heat for the remainder of the 2008 season. In his second debut, Powell scored a team-high 18 points from the field, adding six rebounds and three assists to lead the Heat to a 95-88 win over conference rival Chicago.
He took a few minutes to check-in with texastech.com to cover topics ranging from what it's like to have played for both Bob Knight and Pat Riley to the difference in the weather in Sioux Falls and South Florida.
Describe the feeling for you when you found out the Heat had added you to the roster to close out the season.
"It's a good feeling because I've been working so hard and it took a long time for me to get to this level. For me, to be here right now in a beautiful city like Miami, getting a chance to play in the NBA, it's a great thing for me. Hopefully, I can play well enough to where I stick for a long time here."
All other things aside, the weather in Miami must be nice compared to what you experienced in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for most of the year.
"In between my 10-day [contract], I had to go back to Sioux Falls for a couple days. I'm out here right now in sweatpants and I'm burning up, which is different because when I was back in Sioux Falls it actually snowed up there."
Is there a sense of fulfillment in finally arriving in the NBA and accomplishing that goal?
"Sometimes you work real hard and the results don't come immediately and you kind of question yourself, `Why are you working so hard?', `When are the results going to come?' But just to be able to play in the NBA right now, it shows that hard work does pay off."
With that said, what part of your game do you think has developed or improved the most over the last couple of years?
"I think when I was at Texas Tech, I might have shot under 20 percent from the three-point line, which is a college three. I've been working real hard this year, especially in the D-League, I think I shot over 42 percent, close to 43 percent. I've just been working on my shooting for a long time now, and I just stayed working on it and I think I've improved in that category."
How much of an adjustment is there in going from the D-League to the NBA as far as the talent and competition is concerned?
"It's a whole different level because guys are a little bit stronger, a little bit taller, and a little bit faster. I think that once you do fit in, you find your niche, and then I think that everything is ok. A lot of times people say that you have to find the right opportunity and the right situation. Basically, what that means is some people don't get adjusted to certain styles, teams, plays or how other guys play. It definitely is difficult, but for me, I think I've played in so many different situations that I've adapted to different kinds of styles."
You are one of the few players ever to have played under two coaching legends, Bob Knight (at Texas Tech) and Pat Riley (now with the Heat). Can you talk about what that's been like and compare and contrast the two?
"It's been a blessing; especially to start out playing with Coach Knight, and now playing with Pat Riley, two Hall of Fame coaches. I want to coach after I get done playing basketball so learning from those two guys, I can't learn from two better guys. I think their styles are a little different; at the end of the day, their styles are different, but one thing that they both do really similar is the preparation. Playing for Coach Knight, we were always prepared with scouting reports and walk-throughs, any kind of way we could prepare, we would, and I think Pat Riley also does the same thing, and that's how I think they're similar. There are obviously different styles between college coaching and the professional level; you've got to talk to guys a little bit differently, guys are making a lot more money, but the outcome is the same: they both want to win, they're both prepared, and they both push their guys hard."
Does it feel unique that you are the only former Texas Tech player in the NBA?
"It's been a long journey, and I'm just happy to be here right now, because I've been working for a long time. One of the things Coach Knight instilled in me is my work ethic, and I'll continue with that, so hopefully I can stay around for a long time, and hopefully we can get some more Red Raiders in the NBA."
What's next for you and what are your goals heading into this off-season?
"I think I'll probably go to a summer league and really look to play well there. Whether it's for Miami or another team, I'll probably be out here early, working, getting ready for training camp, so that way when it comes around, I'll be a step ahead of everybody, but hopefully it is Miami. Basically, I'm trying to be in the NBA for the rest of my career, so that's my goal right now."
