LUBBOCK \u2013 As summer workouts progress, we sat down with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn for a quick conversation leading into his first season with the Texas Tech basketball team. A transfer from UNLV, Gibbs-Lawhorn signed with the Red Raiders in mid-April after averaging 20.7 points per game last season. Originally from Lafayette, Indiana, he started his collegiate career at Illinois and is coming off a season at UNLV where he made 101 3-pointers and earned All-Mountain West First Team and MW Newcomer of the Year honors. <\/p>\n
What do you bring to the team on and off the court?<\/p>\n
“I try to bring leadership. I’m a really loving person. I’m always trying to show that I care about the guys on the team. I want to make sure that they know that I’m their brother and vice versa. Just being there for them. On and off the court.”<\/p>\n
What do you want to develop the most in your game?<\/p>\n
“Defense. Working on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t feel like I’m bad at it, but also I don’t think it’s something you can always improve on. Be more scrappy and aggressive with it.”<\/p>\n
What do you want your teammates and coaches to say about you?<\/p>\n
“That I’m a grinder and psycho. I want them to know that I’m respectful, but on the court, I might be a little crazy sometimes but in a good way. Off the court, I want them to say I’m a kindhearted person who cares about everyone.” <\/p>\n
How do you impact winning?<\/p>\n
“I impact winning in just about any way there is. That’s what I try to do as hard as I can. Winning takes consistency and leadership every day. Being able to lead your guys on the court and play as hard as you can every game.”<\/p>\n
What do you think makes you unique as a person?<\/p>\n
“I have a lot of talents. I like to fish, I can juggle and good at basketball. I used to play a lot of baseball when I was younger. I feel like I can be a man of many talents if I just work on things to get better at them.”<\/p>\n
Where did you develop a love for the game? <\/p>\n
“My dad was a basketball coach my whole life. I came out of the womb and went to the gym. People always ask me why I never leave the gym now. It’s because I’ve always been in the gym. I don’t like leaving the gym.”<\/p>\n
What adversity are you most proud of overcoming to get to this point in your journey?<\/p>\n
“I came through a lot of adversity. Throughout everything, I always had basketball though. It was always there to make me happy. I kept a great head and showed up every day as the same person. Things haven’t always gone my way, but I fought through. You can choose to do the wrong thing in hard times but I feel I’ve done the right things to get to where I’m at now. It’s strengthened who I am today because I’m comfortable fighting through anything. I don’t back down from challenges. I’m going to emerge and shine through it.”<\/p>\n
Who is the first person you’d call for advice or to share something good?<\/p>\n
“First person I’m calling after a good game is my dad. After a bad game, the first person I’m talking to is Coach Mac. To work on getting it right. My dad is just funny after a good game and makes me happy to talk about what went good. Bad game, talk to our coaches to get input and get back into the gym to get better.”<\/p>\n
What standard have you set for yourself in your work ethic?<\/p>\n
“I’ve set a very high standard for myself in how hard I work. I hate saying it, because I’m the type of person who would rather show you, but I feel confident that my hard work shows and is not just something I say I do. The standard is high because I always want to work harder. I never want to take a day off or go backwards. It’s always about improving and getting better. I only work harder and will always do that.”<\/p>\n
What do you want to embrace the most about playing at Texas Tech?<\/p>\n
“I want to embrace the culture here. I want to live up to the expectations that our fans have for the school. Not just in basketball. I already see the passion that all of our fans have for everything. It’s exciting. I want to dive into being a part of a great culture that is all around everything at Texas Tech. I want to give back. I want to be a part of a big culture and make everyone proud.”<\/p>\n
Follow the Red Raiders:\u00a0Keep up with Texas Tech men’s basketball news at\u00a0TexasTech.com<\/a>\u00a0and at the team’s social media on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n