CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah forward JaJuan Nicholls, his brother Jalik Nicholls and guard Anthony Breland joined assistant coach Donald Williams on the latest episode of Williams' YouTube podcast, Uncle D's Basketball Life, released Saturday, Oct. 24. The four talked about the Thunderbirds' exhibition win against Ottawa (Ariz.), adjusting to life in Cedar City, the upcoming trip to North Carolina and the team's goals for its first season back in the Big Sky Conference.
The full episode is available on YouTube here.
BACK ON THE FLOOR
The episode opened with a look back at SUU's 78-51 exhibition win against Ottawa (Ariz.) on Monday, Oct. 12, at the America First Event Center. JaJuan Nicholls led the Thunderbirds with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting and added eight rebounds in 20 minutes. Breland finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists, and Jalik Nicholls scored five points with three rebounds.
"It felt good to be back out there just putting on the jersey, just stepping back out there on the court," Jalik Nicholls said.
Williams also shared the nickname he gave JaJuan Nicholls: Big Moose.
A NORTH CAROLINA CONNECTION
The Nicholls brothers are originally from Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina around 2020. Breland grew up in North Carolina after moving there as a toddler. Their families are connected, too, through relatives who live across the street from one another in North Carolina.
That connection makes the Thunderbirds' November road trip a special one. SUU plays at High Point on Nov. 12 and at Wake Forest on Nov. 14, and all three said they are looking forward to having family and friends in the stands.
ADJUSTING TO CEDAR CITY
Asked about the biggest adjustment since arriving at SUU, all three pointed to the altitude. Williams said players who get in shape in Cedar City end up "probably in the best shape of your life."
LOOKING AHEAD
The guests said they believe the Thunderbirds can contend for a Big Sky title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament once everyone settles into their roles. Williams noted the team was picked ninth in the Big Sky preseason poll and said he expects that to serve as motivation.
Williams called this year's group "probably the deepest team we've had since we've been here," adding that he believes it is longer and more athletic than last season's roster. He also pointed to the defense in the exhibition, when SUU held Ottawa to 51 points.
The Thunderbirds open the regular season Monday, Nov. 2, against West Coast Baptist at the America First Event Center.
ABOUT THE GUESTS
JaJuan Nicholls is a 6-foot-9 junior forward from Scranton, Pa. He came to Southern Utah from Tennessee Tech, where he averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game.
Jalik Nicholls is a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Scranton, Pa. He joined the Thunderbirds from Pensacola State, where he earned JUCO Fab 50 Freshman recognition.
Breland is a 6-foot-2 sophomore guard from Newton, N.C., and Charlotte Elite Academy. He came to SUU from Miami Dade College, where he was a first-team all-region selection and a JUCO Recruiting Top-100 player.
ABOUT THE HOST
Williams is in his fourth season on head coach Rob Jeter's staff and brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, including 10 years at the Division I level.
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