ASU men's basketball head coach Bobby Hurley spent the last couple of offseasons shuffling his cards- now he has found a playable hand heading into the Big 12.
Hurley's Sun Devils fought their way into March Madness in the 2022-23 season but lost in the first round. After another unsuccessful season the following year, finishing 14-18, Hurley began building a new squad.
"I've been focused. We worked really hard in the offseason with fundraising, the portal and high school," Hurley said in an interview with Sun Devil Source. "We just really got after it and did the best we could to try and put together a team that has potential."
Redshirt senior guard Adam Miller said he spent the beginning of the offseason in Tempe around the coaches and watched some of the recruitment process. He described Hurley as "locked in" when it came to name, image and likeness, off-season activities and the transfer portal.
With what could potentially be Hurley's most successful offseason at ASU, it's likely that his decision to embrace this new world of college athletics will continue in the future. Newly appointed athletic director, Graham Rossini, seems to be on the same page.
"I would call us highly competitive and on a very good trendline for all things NIL," Rossini said. "We've seen that with what's happened on the football and basketball side, both men's and women's, in terms of the additions coming in because there's a vision of what these incoming student-athletes will be able to plug into from an NIL standpoint."
READ MORE: ASU hires Graham Rossini as new athletic director
Hurley said assistance from donors helped him pick up guys ready to compete in the Big 12. ASU alumni Nap Lawrence is one of the key figureheads assisting the program. Lawrence is no stranger to giving money to the Sun Devils after donating $1 million to help football head coach Kenny Dillingham's Activate the Valley recruiting strategy in 2022.
Lawrence has aided the University many times but said this was the first time a head coach has ever called him personally. Lawrence said he and his son spoke with Hurley for six hours.
"So he met me, and within three days he had $150,000 of my money," Lawrence said.
This money was likely not the only donation the program received. After Lawrence donated his million, he was told that another 148 donations were made shortly after.
Lawrence's donations are a way to show his appreciation for his alma mater. Lawrence said he's satisfied with what Hurley has done with his donation and thinks that this roster may be one of the program's best.
Last year the team lacked versatility offensively, but after a successful offseason, that problem may be eliminated for Hurley.
"There's going to be guys who you cannot forget about that are on the floor, there's going to be guys that could put the ball in the basket," said Hurley. "I felt that last year's team we were limited in some ways offensively to not be able to shoot the basketball well, not be able to shoot free throws well, not be able to score around the basket, and I think a lot of things we've done in the portal have addressed those things."
Although this team isn't short on talent, the team may struggle with chemistry after so much roster turnover. However, Hurley said the players he has recruited are good, focused athletes who will help simplify the process.
READ MORE: ASU men's basketball is once again battling massive turnover this offseason
Hurley also said each player archetype, from true freshmen to final year transfers, has their reasons for wanting this team to work out.
Many of Hurley's portal players only have a year of eligibility left and want to end their college careers on a good note. The team also has players with NBA draft stock who need good team chemistry to build their player profile and draft capital. More than anything, the returners who struggled through a disappointing season last year don't want to relive their past.
As of now, the team has five returners from last season, three true freshmen and five transfers.
Miller is a bonafide veteran with stints at multiple universities but just a year under his belt at ASU. Veterans like Miller can play a role in developing talented young players. The team's three true freshmen are all ranked in ESPN's Top 100 with No. 17 forward Jayden Quaintance, No. 23 guard Joson Sanon and No. 54 small forward Amier Ali.
READ MORE: Jayden Quaintance becomes one of the highest-rated recruits in ASU history
Miller said to build chemistry and new relationships he comes into the gym every day blasting music. He emphasized little things to build chemistry, like getting meals together on the weekend or following each other on social media. Miller said he wants to do more for the team than just play with his veteran status.
"It feels crazy," Miller said in an interview with Sun Devil Source. "It's weird, I didn't expect to be in college this long but everybody’s story is different and I feel like my story this year is to help the team out, like I said, be that extra coach out there for Coach Hurley and just have fun playing basketball."
Along with a brand new team, the Sun Devils are stitching new patches into their jerseys denoting the University's new conference. The team is excited for a fresh start in the Big 12.
Miller said he's been in the film room studying the new competition. Hurley said that the challenge and change in opponents excites him, adding that he likes that the Big 12 is one of the top basketball conferences in the country.
ASU will face top teams like Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Baylor in its new conference this season. The Sun Devils will also play UA twice. Hurley's host of offseason changes will be key to stacking up against the Big 12's best.
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Ramirez, Natalia Jarrett and Alysa Horton.
Reach the reporter at hjsmardo@gmail.com and follow @HenryJSmardo on X.
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Henry is a junior studying journalism and mass communication. This is his third semester with The State Press. He has also worked as a sports reporter.
