Up next in 10
Interview with UNC freshman Nyla Brooks ahead of NCAA second-round game with Maryland
Mar 21, 2026
Interview with UNC freshman Nyla Brooks ahead of NCAA second-round game with Maryland
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
ution of the back court since like the
0:03
December where there were a few bumps in
0:05
the road and what's made the difference
0:07
in you guys playing better down the
0:09
stretch?
0:10
>> Um we just trusted our prep, stayed in
0:12
the gym through um some injuries we had
0:14
on the team, but we just stayed the
0:16
course. Um we just getting better every
0:18
single day, not just with the back, with
0:20
the front court as well. Um we just keep
0:22
pushing, keep doing our thing and
0:24
playing our game. and and and uh
0:27
particularly the last month or so
0:29
they've been faceguarding Laney and
0:31
she's been the focal point. Oh yeah. H
0:33
how have you all tried to help her out
0:36
in that that area and
0:38
>> and and what's been the dynamic there?
0:41
>> Um Laney actually has been helping us
0:43
out. I mean just get trying to get open
0:44
looks. Um Lane's a great player, great
0:46
shooter, so we prepared for people to do
0:48
that. Um she's a great shooter. Um even
0:50
when she's not having a good night, she
0:52
people still face guard her. So, she's
0:54
up and really helping us out. Um, she's
0:56
creating for us. Um, but when she when
0:58
she is high, we feed her the ball. She
1:00
gets her shots like she did last night.
1:02
Um, let the ball and let it fly. But,
1:05
yeah, I mean, we have to adjust game by
1:07
game cuz we don't we don't really know
1:08
how they're going to play us or lane
1:11
>> and and just uh setting screens and
1:13
everything for her to get her open and
1:15
ball movement. Is that that what
1:16
>> absolutely the trick?
1:17
>> Absolutely. Uh and and what do you see
1:20
the challenges that Maryland will give
1:21
you is what you from what you've seen in
1:23
the scout?
1:24
>> Um they're a quick team, transition
1:25
team. Um they get out and run the court,
1:28
quick ball handlers. Um but [music]
1:30
nothing we haven't seen before. It's
1:31
another game, so we're just going to
1:33
prep today and get ready for them
1:34
tomorrow. Um like I said, it's a great
1:36
team. Um no teams are really bad in
1:38
March, so we just got to come out and
1:39
and punch him in the mouth and just keep
1:41
punching until we win the game. So yeah.
1:44
>> Uh didn't seem to be any nerves for your
1:46
first NCAA tournament game. How did you
1:48
feel?
1:48
>> Um, it feels really good. I mean, no
1:49
nerves. Like I said, it's another game.
1:51
Win or go home. I mean, I've been in
1:52
this I've been in these fixations before
1:54
playing high school basketball with the
1:56
top program [music] in the DMV area. Um,
1:58
so this is just another game. Confidence
2:00
is is high. Just trusting the work I put
2:03
in and the work my team put in on
2:04
practice. So, yeah, just another game.
2:06
We're going to come out and ball out
2:07
tomorrow and just play our game.
2:09
>> How important is is get being successful
2:11
from the perimeter? I mean, obviously
2:13
you're a big part of that.
2:14
>> Yeah. Um, I mean, it feels good just
2:16
coming out there and just seeing what
2:18
the defense give me. The three is open
2:20
majority of the time, so I take it. Um,
2:22
I showed a little bit of me getting to
2:23
the basket yesterday and trying to get
2:24
to the free throw line mid-range a
2:26
little bit. So, just what the defense
2:27
give me. I mean, I'm honored to just
2:29
even be able to touch the floor in the
2:31
biggest stage ever. So, just play the
2:32
game that I love the most. So, yeah.
2:35
>> How how has the dynamic in the back
2:36
court changed when, you know, you
2:38
obviously have to play without Ria for
2:40
the last what, 10 games or so? How how
2:42
has that changed? Um, I mean, Rania is a
2:45
big part of why we have the early our
2:47
early wins this season. Um, she's a
2:49
great player. Um, people have to step up
2:51
though. We're a team. We play for each
2:52
other and we play for Raya. Um, as she
2:55
goes through her her whatever she's
2:57
going through. But, um, yeah, I mean,
2:59
next next man up, E has stepped up
3:01
tremendously and helped us, you know,
3:03
win a lot of games, especially in the
3:04
game against Duke when she literally hit
3:06
every buzzer beater we had. Um but yeah,
3:09
like even me just coming in um Tissa
3:12
handling the ball against pressure,
3:13
Laney coming in just doing what she does
3:15
best. I mean, we we just all have to
3:16
step up and fill in the roles that we
3:18
that that's missed. So yeah.
#Sports
#College Sports