Newcomer Q&A with Nolan Groves
July 01, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – With Summer I workouts winding down for the Texas Tech basketball team, we caught up freshman Nolan Groves for a conversation hitting on his goals, mentality and how his first month in Lubbock has gone. A 6-foot-5 guard, Groves led the state of Minnesota by scoring 34.1 points per game along with adding 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals as a senior at Orono High School. Groves earned 2024-25 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year before signing with the Red Raiders on April 23.
What do you bring to the team on and off the court?
"I'm willing to do anything asked of me as a freshman to help make a positive impact on this team."
What do you want to get most out of summer workouts?
"This first part of the summer has been really good for me. It's a new gear that I'm getting used to. I've never been around this much talent. I'm seeing improvements in my game that I've never seen before because I'm being pushed by great teammates who are more experienced and are helping me."
Favorite restaurant?
"Blue Sky here in Lubbock was really good. Their burger was great."
What do you want to develop the most in your game?
"I think I need to develop my shooting. It's very obvious to me in these open gym workouts that we've been having that it's no longer like high school where I'm going to get a wide-open shot. You have to have to be flying off a screen, shooting it on the run with a guy closing on your face. Making those tougher 3s is something I really want to improve on and be ready when the season gets here."
What do you want your teammates and coaches to say about you?
"I'd want them to say that I'm a hard worker, that I'm a good teammate and that I'm fun to be around."
Top three musicians?
"Chris Stapleton. Future. Drake."
How do you impact winning?
"In any way I possibly can. Whatever our coaching staff asks me to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and continue to get better. If it's defending the best player out there or be a catch-and-shoot guy to penetrating the lane and finding teammates. I'll do anything to help our team win."
What do you think makes you unique as a person?
"I have a very unbreakable drive to become the best that I possibly can be. I'll work as hard as it takes to make that happen."
Favorite movie?
"The Godfather. Part 1 and 2. My dad put me on that."
Who is the first person you'd call for advice or to share something good?
"My dad and my high school coach. My dad has always been there supporting me and taking me everywhere. He's the guy who has been with me every step of my journey. My high school coach always has my best interest in mind and helped me develop. I trust him when I need advice."
What standard have you set for yourself in your work ethic?
"To be the hardest worker on the team. Period. That's always been my standard on any team I play for. I want to develop my game and push others to be better also. I come in early, stay late and always want to improve. This summer I've been lifting twice a day, getting up tons of shots. I never want to let an opportunity to improve pass me by."
Who's a player you see shades of yourself in?
"I would say, mentality wise, TJ McConnell. Game wise, I want to develop into an Austin Reaves type of player."
What is something off the basketball court that people don't know about you?
"I love to fish. On my official visit, I got to go to Coach McCasland's bass pond. That was a lot of fun."
What do you want to embrace the most about playing at Texas Tech?
"I just want to make the best of it. I have no doubt that I'm going to maximize my potential and continue getting better every day. We have great coaches and I've really enjoyed being around all my teammates. The resources here are unlimited and everyone cares about winning. I know I'm in a great place."
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