**St. John’s Forward Dill Q&A**
**Q: The first time you met Coach Pitino?**
A: I tell my girlfriend, my mom, and everybody all the time that they don’t really know who Coach P is or his history. When I met Coach P, I was a little starstruck, like, “Man, I’m sitting here with Coach Pitino, and I have an opportunity to play for him.” It was almost like being a fanboy for a second. It’s like meeting a celebrity. It really is.
**Q: What do you remember him telling you?**
A: This is my last go-around, so it was all about the fit. We talked a lot about development. He focused on my jump shot—how we could work on that—the fit in the system, how they’re going to use me, and obviously the defense. A lot of it was about my weaknesses, and that really stuck out to me on my visit. When taking visits, especially entering the transfer portal both times, a lot of teams tell you you’re great at this and that. But here, it was about the weaknesses and how they would help me get better.
When we watched videos, it was like, “Look at your footwork here—it’s terrible. Look at your jump shot—you need to fix that.” A lot of players would run away from that.
**Q: So where are the greatest strides you’ve made?**
A: I think it’s confidence. My jump shot has gotten a lot better working with Coach P, along with the confidence and the little things in my form. A lot has been fundamental work: understanding defensive principles and being pushed. Playing with a hard motor every day in practice has been huge. Once I came here, it’s a whole different level of playing hard, and that’s something Coach P pushes from everybody.
**Q: What makes him a Hall of Fame coach?**
A: His knowledge of the game. Everyone talks about his intensity, and that’s something you want as a player—you want to be pushed to that level. But beyond that, he’s just incredibly smart. He knows everything—the right principles of defense and offense. Honestly, he’s a know-it-all (smiles). He’s very smart on the basketball side, and he gets a lot out of his players.
**Q: Give me an example of how good of a motivator he is.**
A: He can get you to run through a brick wall if he wants you to, for sure (chuckles).
**Q: Any examples?**
A: It’s really the words he says, his quotes.
**Q: Such as?**
A: He talks a lot about Kobe Bryant’s mentality and Michael Jordan’s mindset. If you want to reach the level you desire, there are levels to it—not just on the court, but mentally, how you come in each day and work. Some of those things we all know, but he preaches it daily: your work ethic has to be high, your motor has to be high.
**Q: What won’t he tolerate?**
A: Laziness. Not playing hard. Not communicating. Obviously, every coach doesn’t want to deal with off-the-court stuff. It’s hard to not be coachable with Coach Pitino because, I mean, how could you not listen to him? He’s one of the best ever. When he speaks, mouth shut, eyes on him.
**Q: How much of an advantage do you guys feel having Coach P on your sideline?**
A: For us, it’s like we’re being coached by Coach Pitino himself. He’s our coach—the one we fall back on for knowledge and guidance. Having a legend like him leading us gives us all confidence.
**Q: Your on-court mentality?**
A: Playing with Coach Pitino, you have to play hard. You have to have that killer mindset. Coach P talks a lot about the Mamba Mentality. Being a senior now, I aim to be the hardest-playing guy on the court. That’s a key part of my identity—a high-motor guy who plays hard, someone you can depend on to make the right plays. Defense is something I pride myself on as well.
**Q: From a physical tools standpoint, what are you most proud of?**
A: I’d say my athleticism and versatility, especially on defense. I feel like I can guard pretty much anywhere from the one through the five. I’m proud of my rebounding abilities, being a long player out there who can cause problems.
**Q: Your favorite dunk is the windmill?**
A: Yeah, I guess so (laughs). Every time I get up there, I don’t know—my body just makes me do it. I can’t even control it sometimes.
**Q: What’s it like getting the fans fired up like that?**
A: It’s awesome. People pay hard-earned money to watch us play, so you want to put on a show for them and make them happy. You never know who’s out there watching; there might be a kid who really looks up to you. I try to get the fans into it as best as I can to make them feel a part of the game as well.
—
### On His Teammates
**Q: Some teammates, whatever comes to mind: Zuby Ejiofor?**
A: When we first got to campus, I don’t know how many new guys are on the team—it’s a lot of us—but Zuby was someone who, within the first week, sat us all down and preached the culture, the identity, and how hard we have to work this year. He barely talked about last year’s success because it’s on to a new year, and we want to be better. Zuby’s a leader.
**Q: Zuby on the court?**
A: He’s a dawg. A monster. It’s hard to stop him—perimeter, post, whatever it is.
**Q: Bryce Hopkins?**
A: It’s hard to stop him when he’s getting downhill. Bryce is very physical, gifted, and skilled.
**Q: Dylan Darling?**
A: He’s like the basketball Cam Skattebo. He plays extremely hard—you’d think he’s about to run his head through your chest every play, which is how Cam is.
**Q: Oziyah Sellers?**
A: Another leader on the court. Experienced guard, one of the best shooters in the country. If he gets an open shot, there’s a very high chance it’s going in.
**Q: Ruben Prey?**
A: Extremely gifted and skilled. Very long and tall, moves well for his size, fast and athletic. He and Zuby go at it every day.
**Q: Lefteris Liotopoulos?**
A: One of our best shooters—one of the best shooters in the country—and we try to create space for him to get open shots.
**Q: Sadiku Ibine Ayo?**
A: I’d call him our glue guy. Diku wants to get better every day and help the team improve. He’s one of the best leaders I’ve been around.
**Q: Ian Jackson?**
A: Ian is a lot of fun to be around. He’s extremely gifted offensively and has improved a lot defensively—one big reason he came here. Many know his offense, but Coach P has helped him understand how much better he can get on defense.
—
### On Playing in New York and the Big East
**Q: What was it like playing Michigan at the Garden?**
A: You could hear the fans every time I took the ball out; I’d hear a New Yorker talking behind me. It’s just that vibe you get.
**Q: Are New Yorkers what you expected?**
A: Both no and yes. In the city, some of them are a little crazy. I stay in Jamaica, Queens, and it can get hectic out there.
**Q: Hectic how?**
A: You hear someone arguing super loud on the phone sometimes. My dad’s from Savannah, Georgia, but he lived in New York for over 20 years. He told me to be safe, don’t trust anybody, people are nuts, and just stay to yourself.
**Q: The Big East Conference?**
A: I played in the Big 12 for three years and heard the Big East is way more physical. It’s basketball with toughness and grit.
—
### Personal Favorites and Influences
**Q: NBA players you like watching?**
A: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jaden McDaniels.
**Q: Biggest adversity you had to overcome?**
A: My freshman year at Texas was tough. Coming in as a top-five player out of high school, McDonald’s All-American, with great expectations, then the coach, Chris Beard, got fired that year. It was a hard season—losing the coach, being one of the oldest teams in college basketball, and trying to figure out what it would take to get to the next level.
**Q: You felt the pressure of great expectations?**
A: A hundred percent, yeah.
**Q: What drives you?**
A: Winning. I hate losing. Helping my teammates on the court, having fun—every time I step on the floor, it’s a joy. It reminds me of playing as a kid in the backyard, busting my dad after school. We had so much fun.
**Q: In life, what drives you?**
A: Family and keeping everyone happy. Just having fun—you only get one life.
**Q: Biggest influence?**
A: Definitely my mom. She’s always been there. She got me into basketball. I was into football initially. She encouraged me to try basketball, and I fell in love with it. She’s driven me to tournaments multiple times, still supports me, comes to games, and works from wherever I am.
**Q: Has she been to the Garden?**
A: Oh yeah. She hasn’t missed many home games in Cincinnati or Texas.
**Q: Favorite tattoo?**
A: I have “Destined For Greatness” big on my chest (lifts shirt), with a picture of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X with “Knowledge Is Power,” praying hands, and a Bible quote. My mom, sister, and I planned to get three hearts on our fingers; I’m the only one who did.
**Q: How old were you when you got your tattoos?**
A: I was 18. My mom wouldn’t sign off until I turned 18.
—
### About Morgan, His Girlfriend
**Q: Your girlfriend, Morgan?**
A: We met at the University of Texas. She’s from Houston and has been my rock everywhere. She moved in with me in Austin, then to Cincinnati, and now she’s here in New York. She keeps me mentally sane with all the craziness basketball sometimes brings.
—
### Other Memorable Moments
**Q: Meeting Jerry West?**
A: Insane. I was working out in Vegas. He said I’m very versatile and skilled. He told me never to take a day off because there’s always someone coming to take your spot. You have to play with a chip on your shoulder, no matter who you are.
**Q: Coach Kevin Boyle?**
A: I wouldn’t be here without Coach Boyle and going to Montverde Academy. Montverde gives the same feel we have here—playing with great players, pushing each other every day. Coach Boyle was intense and pushed us hard, like Coach P.
—
### Football Background
**Q: How good of a wide receiver were you before giving it up in seventh grade?**
A: Extremely good. I was taller than everybody, and they would just throw it up to me.
**Q: Did you have a favorite receiver?**
A: Megatron—Calvin Johnson.
—
### New York City Favorites
**Q: Favorite New York City things?**
A: There’s a spot in Brooklyn called Swoony’s. They have the best cheeseburger in the city, at least the best I’ve had and heard.
**Q: Who turned you on to that?**
A: TikTok.
—
### Childhood Dreams & More
**Q: You wanted to be a firefighter as a child?**
A: Maybe that’s something I’ll still look into after basketball (laughs).
**Q: Four dinner guests?**
A: Muhammad Ali; Kobe Bryant; Tom Brady; Michael Jordan.
**Q: What would you ask Muhammad Ali?**
A: He had incredible confidence every time he stepped in the ring that he was going to knock out his opponent. I’d ask how he developed that mindset and confidence.
—
### Favorites in Entertainment and Food
**Q: Favorite movie?**
A: The Notebook.
**Q: Favorite actor?**
A: Denzel Washington.
**Q: Favorite entertainer/singer/rapper?**
A: Zach Bryan.
**Q: Favorite meal?**
A: Steak, potatoes, and asparagus.
—
### Why NBA GMs Should Be Interested
**Q: I’m an NBA GM—tell me why I should be interested in you.**
A: I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win. At the end of the day, it’s about being coachable and being a winner. Coach P talks about this—being seniors, if we want to get to the next level, we have to win. It’s not just about individual offense or defense; it’s about being a winner, and that’s what I want to be known as.
—
### Message to St. John’s Fans
**Q: What would you hope St. John’s fans say about you?**
A: That I played as hard as I could every step of the way for St. John’s, brought joy playing, made the fan base feel included in the games, spoke with the fans, and really got them involved on the court.
**Q: What do you like best about this team?**
A: How we gel. We push each other every day to get better. The practice competition is elite, but we also have a lot of fun—off the court and on. At the end of the day, basketball is a childhood sport we all loved.
**Q: Is this a Final Four team?**
A: Yeah, 100 percent. With the talent and skill we have, we’re more than capable. We know we have weaknesses we need to improve, and if we get better every day listening to Coach P, we can get there.
—
### Season Expectations
**Q: At the first team meeting, did Coach Pitino talk about expectations?**
A: Yes. What stood out was that while everyone talks about winning a national championship, Coach P emphasized getting better every day in practice. We all understand the goal, but we won’t get there without daily hard work, pushing each other, and improving. Being around this group, we all think, “We can win a national championship,” but he reminds us it starts with getting better every day.
**Q: Have you visualized cutting down the nets?**
A: I do—all the time. That’s every player’s dream. It will be hard and tough. It won’t be easy, no matter how skilled or talented we are. We all understand that, especially with this year’s schedule.
**Q: Your message to St. John’s fans?**
A: No matter what, we’re going to give it our all this year with a tough schedule. You’ll be happy watching us because we’ll give maximum effort every step of the way. We’ll be the hardest-playing team on the court and bring a show to St. John’s, MSG, and Carnesecca—giving fans something to really be happy about.
—
*Interview conducted with St. John’s forward Dill.*
https://nypost.com/2025/11/01/sports/dillon-mitchell-tells-the-post-about-his-star-struck-rick-pitino-moment-st-johns-championship-expectations/