Some of my conversations with Jay, I'm not really saying much, just listening. It's really just learning. I'm trying to have Jay Z's money.
— Willie Cauley-Stein
I love football.
I can play three positions - five in college - but realistically three in the NBA.
You hoop with a certain expression. That's your art. You've crafted it, so it is your art.
At Kentucky, you have to be a competitor. If you're not, you're going to look weak. You're going to look like you don't belong.
Golf is so mental. It gets my mind right before the game.
Defense is natural. Defense is a reaction. Offense - you've gotta do the moves; you've gotta get it down pat.
You can do anything. Put the time in to do it, and you could do it.
I understand what it takes to be an elite player in the league.
I don't enjoy art.
You got to be interested in other things. If you focus on one thing, you're going to eventually - like, you're going to get bored with it, or you're going to get burned out on it.
The outlook is for me to grow.
Wherever I'm needed, I'll go and play. It's that simple.
I'd never think about not hooping. I'm always thinking about doing something with hoops or what can I work on today that's going to make me better for tomorrow.
I'm talented enough to do a lot of different things.
You get a chance to get the ball every time, you're gonna do better quicker, and you're gonna gain experience faster.
I have a mental coach, which is super cool, but it's also kind of eerie at times.
I don't wanna be labeled as just a defensive player or a rim protector or someone who can dunk. I feel like I can do everything.
Everybody knows that I can play defense. I've showed at times that I can score, but I just think they want to know, 'How consistent are you in your moves?'
I have a lot of art in the house, but it's mine, friends'. Not necessarily - like, I didn't spend thousands of dollars to attain it. It's authentic, at least.
I don't see myself not playing basketball. I don't see myself not around basketball.
I love being at Kentucky. I love the fan base. I love the community. I love the people there. So it's like, why not stay until they make you leave?
I'm real. I'm completely authentic.
Being able to hedge on a ball screen and the guy coming off and being able to guard him for a brief second and then go back and block a shot in one possessions, that's big. There's not many dudes that can do that.
Like, I did baseball, football, or track - I never really worked on a sport every day for years like most kids that hoop.
I like thinking and being able to answer questions that are tough to answer. You have to try to figure out how to get a good answer and look intelligent.
One of the best ways to express yourself is the way you dress.
If I didn't love the game, why would I play at the University of Kentucky? Why would I ever come here? It's a serious program.
That's two different influences... The Warriors nation as a fan base, that's a whole lot of pressure. Then you got the pressure of playing with some greats.
If you want to be a good shot-blocker, you're going to be a good shot-blocker. It's simple. You can't teach it. You're either good at it, or you're not good at it. If you're good at it, then be really good at it.
'Trill' is a combination of 'true' and 'real.' It's my philosophy.
When I get to Sacramento, I'm going to work my tail off trying to become a complete player and hopefully bring a championship to the city.
I remember the Vince Carter Raptor days: playing all the video games with him. Playing against him is one thing; having a chance to learn from him is a whole - another level of excitement.
I got some skills I can build on; I can be an all-around player.
I just wanna show people I'm a hooper.
I think that's one of the things that intrigues people the most: my defensive versatility. My movement and mobility is something that piques everybody's interest.
I wish I still had all of my old schoolwork. I'd just have all the sketches around the schoolwork, and none of the schoolwork done. Just sketches all around. I was always doodling something.
There's no part of me that doesn't like basketball. I love it.
I feel this emptiness in me, like I still got something to prove and I still got so much stuff to work on in my game.
I got a call from my agent; I'm out in the boonies. They're like, 'Where you at? The Warriors are trying to call.' I'm like, 'Hold up! I'm on the lake, and I ain't got no service.' So I had to drive two miles up the road so I could get service and take the call.
Being able to guard the pick and roll makes you a high asset in the NBA.
I'm athletic enough to do guard stuff, so if you were to mold me into having guard moves and footwork in a big's body, that's revolutionizing the game.
My life revolves around the ball.
My grandparents have taught me that since I was younger: just to be involved in a whole bunch of different things so you don't get burnt out, and you know what you like to do and what you don't like to do.
Normally, I know what I'm doing.
Being a playoff team that got championships, it's going to bring something different out of you.
I had to sit out for 21 weeks. I got to feel what it would be like if I didn't play, and I can't imagine not playing.
A lot of NBA GMs have asked me about me why I changed my middle name to Trill. Actually, the reason why I filed the paperwork to change my name was so that I could officially add my mother's last name, Stein, to my own. My mom is my best friend, and I wanted to honor her.
I think I just gotta get more selfish.
I have to be mentally right every time I take the floor.
