Utah State Aggies star Sam Merrill can shoot the lights out, but he made it clear that he plans to bring much more than that to the NBA.
Of course, when a player shoots 42 percent from 3-point territory on 5.8 attempts per game over the course of their college career, it’s not a shock when teams view said individual as a shooter above all else. Merrill isn’t satisfied with that label, however, and wants to show that in the pros.
The two-time All-Mountain West Conference selection explained his mindset and more during his conversation leading up to the 2020 NBA draft with USA TODAY SMG’s Bryan Kalbrosky.
Please note this interview was minorly edited in its transcript for brevity and clarity.
Thanks so much for your time today! What have you been telling teams about how the last few months for you?
Sam Merrill: It’s been a good process to this point. For the most part, my message has been that I really want to believe I can play at the NBA level and find a way to carve out a career. But also, I’m more than just a shooter. I do have the ability to shoot the ball, but I want to prove to teams that I can help with more than that — both on the offensive and defensive end. I’m just trying to get across my love for the game and my versatility, as well.
You mention your love for the game, where did that first come from? How did you realize that’s something you wanted to do for the rest of your life.
SM: I’ve been a huge sports fan my entire life. My dad and I have a good relationship that revolves around sports. As a kid, I played every sport. When I was in elementary school, my favorite sport would be whatever sport was in-season — basketball, baseball, football. I realized basketball was what I was best and it was the one I had the most love for, and it was probably going to give me the best chance to play in college. So, I put most of my focus there. But again, I love watching the NBA, the NFL, golf tournaments, all that type of stuff. My whole life has revolved around sports.
What was your second-best sport growing up? How do you think being a multi-sport athlete helped you get to where you are now?
Thinking of the 1-sport specialists in today's college hoops: Utah State superstar Sam Merrill — Sam the Man — was all-state in football, basketball, led HS team to state baseball title and was 3-handicap in golf. And Princeton offered him scholarship, too.
— Greg Hansen (@ghansen711) March 11, 2020
SM: Definitely football. I played baseball and was on a good team, but that was probably my third-best one. I am so, so thankful that I played multiple sports in high school. I learned so much from my football coaches, and the experiences that I had there — and my baseball coaches, as well. I really think that’s an important thing to do. But it’s not for everyone, not everyone can be successful at every sport or love other sports. But for me, I’m very grateful that I was a multi-sport athlete.
Being from Utah, what drew you to Utah State and playing at home near your family in the Moutain West Conference?
SM: I’ve had a long-standing connection to Utah State. My dad grew up in Logan. Both my parents graduated from Utah State. My sister played soccer at Utah State. When I got to high school and realized that I was being recruited and was going to hopefully play at the next level, I wanted to make sure that I was making the right decision and not just choosing Utah State because of my fandom as a kid. But like you said, I wanted to stay close to home. I wanted to stay in-state and tried to do my due diligence and felt like Utah State was going to be the best option for me. They have had a very good program for the last twenty years.
I actually committed very early. I committed at the beginning of my junior year. At the time, the only other offer that I had was from the University of San Francisco. I had spoken with Princeton, I had solid grades, but I didn’t think my grades were going to be good enough. I just felt confident in going to Utah State. I was talking to the other in-state schools and a couple of other schools, but again I just really felt like Utah State was going to be the best option for me. At the time that I committed, they just announced they were going to the Mountain West. So I knew I was going to be going into a very good basketball conference.
When you look back at your experience in college, what are some of the moments that are going to jump out at you?
SM: Probably the biggest thing was meeting my wife, which was obviously incredible. But from a basketball standpoint, there was a ton of incredible experiences. I’m so thankful that I made the choice to go to Utah State. In my first two years, we weren’t very good, and that was hard. As a fan of Utah State, that had been a successful program, to be on two teams that weren’t quite as good was difficult. I had to work and try and do my best to help get Utah State out of that. But eventually, to be able to have the success that we did at Utah State my last two years, just kind of big-time games and big-time win. That’s the number one thing that I’ll look at: how difficult it was my first two years and how much fun we had my final two years with the success that we had.
In what areas do you think you grew most during your time at Utah State?
SM: I’ve grown as a person, and that’s come through the many experiences I have had. That’s extremely important. As far as basketball goes, my handle has gotten so much better. That’s out of necessity. I realized I was going to have to be a guy that had the ball in his hands quite a bit. I had to improve my handle and even then it’s still not at an NBA level. So that’s something I’m working on every single day: my handle and the ability to shoot off the dribble, which I didn’t really have. I’ve always been able to shoot off the catch, but that need to be able to create more for our offense, that’s something that I had to work through and develop as well.
One of the last moments of college basketball of this year was your game-winning shot against San Diego State. Walk me through the emotion of that play and what that felt like for you, especially knowing that you are senior and it was going to be one of your last games — at the time not knowing what was going to happen next.
UTAH STATE'S SAM MERRILL WITH THE GAME-WINNER TO UPSET NO. 5 SDSU 😱❄️
(via @ChristianWinn)pic.twitter.com/aJ7icqKhhz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 8, 2020
SM: There was a big race of emotions because we had the high expectations preseason and everyone expected we were the only unanimous preseason pick to win the league ever in the Mountain West. We were a preseason Top-25 program. We wanted to get back to the NCAA Tournament, really avenge the loss that we had to Washington. It wasn’t perfect. There were ups and downs throughout the season. It wasn’t as nice as people probably would have liked. We were in a situation where I wasn’t sure if we were going to make the tournament if we lost that game. We might have, but in my mind, that wasn’t going to happen. In my mind, we had to win that game. So, to give ourselves a chance against a top-five team and I had the opportunity to try and make what would be a game-winning shot. So to be able to see that shot go in and end up winning the game was just such a big relief for me. So incredible to go through the range of emotions that we did throughout the season and still be able to come out on top.
Utah State had a top-50 offense and a top-50 defense. How did you view your role in terms of helping to have such a solid identity offensively and defensively?
SM: We prided ourselves on being a team that could do everything and didn’t put all our cards into one table. Offensively, obviously, I had the ball in my hands quite a bit. I had a pretty high usage rate. But our style was unselfish. We tried to share the ball. We were top ten in assists in the country last year. I’m not sure about this year, but I believe we were pretty high. So we really tried to share the ball. Obviously, I led the team in scoring. But I felt like it was a team thing. Defensively, we just tried to be sound. We had our big rim protector Neemias Queta who’s so good. That was our biggest goal on defense: be sound and make teams shoot over the top.
One thing that stands out with you is your assist-to-turnover rate. Tell me about the importance of distributing the ball to others and not turning it over.
SM: Yeah, that’s something that’s always been very, very important to me. I think that’s a great trait that a prospect can have, especially a role player. I’m hoping that people look at that and see that’s something that I can provide at the next level. I’m someone that is going to take care of the ball and make the right decision. Again, that’s been so important to me. The best teams usually don’t turn the ball over, so that’s what I try to provide.
You could be labeled as a point forward given your size and everything. How would you classify your role in an offense, given your height and playmaking ability?
SM: I’ve always seen myself as a point guard. But I think versatility is something that I do try and add on the offensive end. I’m a guy that can handle the ball, can handle play the point if I need to and if I need to play off the ball, I feel comfortable doing that as well. I think that’s a lot of what teams are looking for nowadays, at any level: guys that can do a lot of things on the offensive end. So that’s another thing that I try to provide.
As a ballhandler, how do you feel you would do in a fast-paced offense?
SM: My goal has just always been to make the right play. You’re not going to see me making flashy plays ever. That’s just not who I am. But I do try and make the right play and make the right decision, make the right reads. I do like playing in a fast-paced style. Maybe not running up or down, but again, playing fast within the flow of a half-court offense. Hopefully, that’s another thing I can provide: the ability to make plays for others.
You were really efficient in the pick and roll, but you were just as impressive when shooting oof handoffs, coming off screens, spot-up possessions. How’ve you been able to become effective off the ball and how do you think that can help translate to the NBA level knowing that you might not be on-ball as much throughout your first few years in the league?
SM: Yeah, that’s definitely something that I tried to show. I didn’t have as many opportunities over the last two years again because I had the ball in my hands quite a bit. But I know the ability to be versatile offensively is so important if I want a chance to make the NBA really stick. I think I can be a floor spacer if I need to, a guy that just stretches the floor. But having that versatility and also showing the ability to shoot off the dribble when I need to, I think that will hopefully that’s something that’s intriguing for teams.
That versatility to be as efficient off the catch and off the dribble, like you were, is so important in making the transition. What’s the history of your jump shot?
SM: When I was a kid, I was an above-average shooter but didn’t really take a ton of threes. During my senior year in high school, I think I made 27 threes, one a game. I went on my LDS mission, came back and realized that the ability to shoot the basketball was going to be so important for me because, obviously, the level of athleticism from high school to college is a big jump. So I knew that I was going to have to be a great shooter and just put in a ton of work. During my freshman year, I was more of just a catch-and-shoot guy and then I just continued to work and work. That’s how I’ve been able to develop into the shooter that I am right now.
Were there any drills, coaches, lessons or advice that you think helped make you such a good shooter off the dribble?
SM: I don’t know if there any specific drills that I did. I think it’s just repetition. Just like most guys, if you work at something, you’re generally going to improve it. So, I put in a lot of work over the summers shooting, off-balance, going right, going left, any type of shot that I felt like I might take in a game. That was something that I worked on. I put in a lot of reps and I was able to improve.
You finished with a top-20 free-throw percentage in college basketball and the best free-throw percentage in program history. How has that become a part of your identity and your game?
SM: I didn’t take a lot my freshman year but I think I shot close to 90%. From that point on, it just kind of turned into who I was. In high school, I was probably an 80% free-throw shooter. That was still good, but not quite at that level. It was the same thing, just putting in work, shooting extra free throws whenever you can. It got to a point where everyone knew that if I got the line, I was going to make them and because of that, I really felt confident as well.
Playing with Neemias Queta, you played with a future NBA big on your team. How do you think that helped you as a pick-and-roll ball-handler?
SM: Having a roll threat like him was really helpful. The spacing is so different from college to the NBA. But he’s really good at the pick and roll. When I’m coming off handoffs, he knows when to keep it, when to hand it off, when to set a screen. He’s very, very, good at that just like many NBA bigs are too. That experience I got with him will certainly help me.
How would you describe your game to someone who’s never seen you play?
SM: I always tell guys that while I have the ability to score the ball and do all that kind of stuff, I think the one way that I would describe myself to people is just as a guy that makes winning plays. That sounds like a cliché, but you can name guys in the NBA that when they come to mind, you see them as guys that just make winning plays — whether that’s taking a charge or getting a loose ball or getting a timely offensive rebound or knocking down a clutch shot. There are guys that do that, and those guys are highly, highly valued in the NBA. I think I have the ability to shoot the ball, I think I can defend, I think I handle it. But, more than anything, I really think that I can be a guy that can help teams win.
Who are some of those guys that come to mind that remind you of yourself and the way you add those hustle stats, as well as being the well-rounded and distributor that you are?
SM: There are guys that, stylistically, I think I match up with. I look at guys like Duncan Robinson, Wayne Ellington and Joe Harris. As a shooter, I think that’s what I’m going to have to provide, obviously, and I think I can. Those guys are constantly spacing the floor or creating offense through pin downs and staggers. But I also have the ability to handle the ball a little bit and one guy that I’ve been watching a lot lately because we have similar athleticism and size is Bogdan Bogdanovic. He has been able to turn into a great, great player. If I could be half of that, that would be fantastic. Some other guys that come to mind are Kyle Lowry because he is a guy that’s always taking charges, just makes winning plays. Pat Connaughton is always getting offensive rebounds when you need them. Joe Ingles here for the Jazz does the same thing, just makes winning plays — whether it’s making the extra pass, driving, a closeout all that type of stuff. Those are three guys that I think of quite a bite.
What was your mission like? I know you went to Nicaragua.
SM: It was just an incredible experience and one that I’ll forever be grateful for. As a missionary, we would go on for two years and preach what we believe to be the Gospel of Jesus Chris and invite people to listen to us and invite people to hear our message and come to church and learn more about what we do. It’s a hard, hard experience. It’s two years in a different country, learning a different language. There’s no sports or anything like that. We’re just solely focused on what we’re doing. It was very difficult with all the stuff that comes with it and with people saying no. But I learned toughness. I learned how to work hard. I learned how to persevere through difficult times. While it hurt me from a stock perspective, because I’m two years older than other seniors, I wouldn’t trade it for anything because I wouldn’t be where I am without the experience.
How would you feel about the G League as a way to potentially start your career? What are some ways that you think you could potentially use that as a learning experience to become an NBA player?
SM: I just want to reach my maximum potential. If that means spending some time in the G League, then that’s what I’ll do. I think there are a lot of organizations that do a really good job with their G League teams. We’ve seen a lot of guys that have spent time in the G league and are now either impact players or even stars in the NBA. I’m not a guy that would look down on that, and if that means spending a year, spending three months, Whatever it takes, I’m willing to do so, so I can hopefully carve out a career in the NBA.
What are some of the things you like to do when you’re not playing basketball?
SM: I love anything about basketball, so I’ll watch old games, old highlights, stuff like that. But if I’m not doing something with my wife or friends, I love golf. That’s probably the one biggest thing. I’m not great at golf but I do enjoy playing.
What are your goals for yourself either on or off the court?
SM: For me, my only focus right now is trying to have a career in the NBA. Whether that means hearing my name called or not, nothing is guaranteed in this league. Even guys that are first-round picks, a lot of those guys don’t make their second contracts. I believe in myself, I believe in my work ethic and I hope I can carve out a role. I know it’s going to be a grind and it’s not going to be easy, but that’s my No. 1 goal for right now.
[listicle id=23482]