JOSH BEADLE | Gr. | Columbia, S.C.
Q: How excited are you to get the season started?
A: I'm really excited. It's definitely a little nerve-wracking being in a new situation because you don't know exactly what to expect, but I like where we are. Going through practices, I like how we look and how the guys are responding to coaching. I think we've got a great group, and I like our chances this year.

Q: You've played at different programs — what made Coastal the right fit?
A:: When I hit the transfer portal, I knew I wanted to be closer to home for my last year — to be around family and have them come to games. When I visited Coastal, everything just felt authentic. It felt real. The coaching staff made me feel comfortable from the moment I stepped on campus. I was choosing between here and Charlotte, but this just felt like the better fit and the better situation.

Q: What kind of leadership role have you tried to take on?
A: I try to bring some of the things I wish I would've done earlier in my career — being more vocal, bringing more energy, and coaching guys up when I can. I like to self-reflect, and last year I don't think I led as vocally as I could have. So I'm trying to bring that here. It's important because it shows the younger guys what it takes to have a good team — communication, competitiveness, and accountability.

A.J. DANCLER | Jr. | Indianapolis, Ind.
Q: What made you choose Coastal Carolina when you transferred?
A: There were three big reasons for me: the weather, the people, and the coaches. Coming from New York, I wanted a change, and I already had relationships with a few guys here. The biggest thing, though, was the coaching staff. I love Coach Gray. He's truly a players' coach, and that's something I've always wanted. He pushes us hard, but he also listens. You can tell he wants the best for us.

Q: Where are you focusing most on improvement?
A: I'm still getting used to our defensive principles, but I'm working every day to be more active and a bigger presence on that end. That's what will help me take my game to the next level.

RASHEED JONES | Jr. | Marion, Ind.
Q: You tested the transfer portal this offseason but came back. What made you decide to return?
A: When I went into the portal, it was really just to test the waters and see what was out there, but this was always where I wanted to be. There's not another coach I'd rather play for than Coach Gray. Even when I entered the portal, the staff still made it clear they wanted me back, and that meant a lot. I feel like we have unfinished business after last season, and I wanted to be part of building on that.

Q: How has your game grown over the offseason?
A: My game has evolved a lot since last year. We put in a ton of work over the summer in the weight room, and I feel stronger using my body. I've been getting shots up every day, and I feel like my shot is sharper. I'm just trying to keep adding new levels to my game and get better in every area.

Q: What kind of style of play should fans expect this year?
A: This year, we're going to lean on our guards a little more and play at a faster pace. We want to get the ball out and go, attack early, and play with tempo. We've got a lot of guys who can make plays, and we're excited to show that.

Q: What are your goals for this season?
A: We didn't have the season we wanted last year, so there's a lot of motivation in the gym right now. Our goals start with bringing energy every day and competing to make each other better. Of course, we want to win — but we also want to build good habits and play the right way.

Q: What stands out about this year's team culture?
A: It starts with our culture. We've been here for a while, so we know what it's supposed to look like and feel like every day. A lot of the new guys came in with different habits, and our job was to help them understand the standard — defense first, communication, competing every possession. That's Coastal basketball.

BRAEDEN MACVICAR | RSo. | Port Williams, Nova Scotia
Q: You redshirted last season. How much did that year help your development?
A: The redshirt year definitely helped me. I probably gained around 20 to 25 pounds, and that's made a big difference with rebounding and physicality. I've been able to maintain my shot while getting stronger. It's been 19 months since I've played an actual game, so I'm just super excited to finally get out there, especially with this group.

Q: What is "The Coastal Edge," and how does it define your team?
A: The Coastal Edge is something we talk about all the time — energy, discipline, grit, and excellence. It's who we are and what we're building off of. It's not just about basketball. It's how we work in the classroom and how we carry ourselves off the court too.

TRISTAN THOMPSON | Fr. | Wilson, S.C.
Q: How would you describe the team's chemistry so far?
A: Practices have been really competitive. We've only been together about three months, but we've already built a strong connection. The coaches have done a great job holding us accountable and making sure we're doing everything right. That chemistry is going to show up in games.

Q: What does it mean to play close to home?
A: Being close to home has helped a lot. My parents and friends come to every home game, and I can always go back and get work in with my trainers. Having that support system makes a big difference.