NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers wrapped up their first week of summer practice under new men’s basketball head coach Stacy Hollowell, and there’s a noticeable energy on the Lakefront.
“The energy is great, and the guys are excited. There’s a freshness in the gym, and the guys feel that and are ready to go,” said Hollowell.
As players warmed up with three-point shots in the auxiliary gym, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation on the first day.
Hollowell, known for his calm yet confident demeanor, set clear expectations for the team’s practice regimen. He encouraged players to take ownership and lead segments of practice to foster accountability and leadership.
He frequently raised his hand to halt the drills, making sure every player understood instructions. During one of these pauses, he seized the moment to emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement, urging the team to support each other while correcting mistakes and seamlessly transitioning to the next task. He modeled this in his own coaching.
“There are ways to articulate what you want that are as effective as being demonstrative. There will be times when you need to be demonstrative, but guys largely want to do the right things, and I know that,” Hollowell stated.
“As long as we are getting that kind of energy and positivity from them, we will feed off of that.”
This week, the team was introduced to new drills and a high-octane pace focused on three-point shooting and fast-break drills.
“We want our players to be good shooters and to stretch the floor. The more we stretch the floor, the better it makes us,” Hollowell commented.
The first-year head coach wants to use the summer to develop and expand each player’s game so that when the season comes, they can hone in on their strengths individually and as a team.
On the floor, the Privateers quickly adapted to coaching feedback, showing their commitment to improvement. Each player stood with the intense focus of a hungry freshman, their eyes wide and locked onto whichever coach was speaking, hanging on to every word. Their eagerness to impress radiated off them like heat waves on a typical New Orleans day.
When asked about leaders emerging among the team, Hollowell said, “We are going to move out of the way in a lot of cases and let voices come to the forefront. I think when you do that you can start to have player-led teams, and that’s something that we are big on.”
With a new coach, new staff, and fresh talent, the Privateers are laying the groundwork for a successful season. After a productive first week, they’re poised to make a significant impact.
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