Summer Sixers | One-on-One with Rayjon Tucker

Take a listen. I am joining out by Rayjon Tucker. So good to see you. Congrats on these first couple of wins. Can you give us some insight into what these first few while I guess it's been over a week now, what this Summer League experience has been like pre so far, that's been good. We have a good group of guys here with us. I think everybody has the same mission, just you know, try to accomplish something

bigger than just personal goals. We've talked about. You know, if we all win, you know, we win these games and play together other than you know, good things that come out for all of us and not just the guys who are already on contract, are already with the Sixers. It'll just help everybody out in the long run. So speaking of a great team performance or team building, take me into that game against the Hawks. You guys were down early, really sort of galvanized, came together to get

that win at the end. Is that emblematic of the type of team you guys are? How did it feel to accomplish that one? Oh? For sure, I think I think that's just who we are as a group as Sixers. Um, you feel I'm saying, we brought ourselves on defense regardless if we're not getting it done on the offense. We fight, were gritty, Um, just we We're not gonna give up until you know that that last buzzer sounds where we

got to walk off the court. So yeah, it's definitely attestament to the guys that they brought in for the summer league. Just an attestament to the guys that we have the coaches keeping us locked in. So I have already spoken a little bit with Isaiah and Tyrese and Paul, and I know that the three of them, along with you and maybe a couple other guys, are sort of like the leadership crew for this group, which I understand.

It's pretty interesting because when you're with the big team, you guys are the young fellas and now you're the leaders. What's that dynamic been like for you? Um, I mean, it's kind of a role that I've kind of been in since so I've been in the league. You know, I played in the G League where that was my role. Then you know, I went to Utah where I was one of the young guys, so I had to take that young guy role again. And then back with the Blue Coats said, went back to that role again. So

it's been it's been good. I think it's just great for us to get that experience where we could kind of, you know, teach the other guys. The Rooks woo, we've been learning while we've been where you know, the Sixers and you know, me going into my third year or what I've learned, what I've seeing, what I know works. It doesn't work to help guys look good. You know, at the end of the day. Me, firstly, I want everybody to win. So anything that I see I feel

I can't help that can help somebody else. I'm leting them. What has it been like to see Let's talk about a few of your teammates specifically, and let's start with Tyrese. You've been sort of alongside him for at least the vast majority of his entire NBA career. So can you tell me about the growth you've seen in Tyrese over the last year or so? H man. Yeah, I think him just being more vocal. That's really a big thame. Him being a point guard, he has to be vocal

just in his game. It's a lot of growth just him personally. Just being with him in these last couple of months, playing with him through the low minty games if we've had and just talking to him and being here, the growth is tremendous. He's gonna be a great player at the end or towards the end, I believe. Of the regular season, Doc told the media that you guys were the hardest working, low minute group that he's ever

worked with. Can you tell us a little bit more about that low minute group in the culture that you guys developed last year? Yeah, I mean all of us, you know, all of us feel like we're specially you know what I'm saying. We're here for a reason. All of us feel like we could play and we push each other every day, you know, to be better because we know each one of us has something special that we could bring to a team to help a team win. So we always make sure each other is in the gym.

We always make sure each other is going hard, and whatever drills or whatever we're playing, we try to get in there hour thirty before everybody else gets in there. So it's real competitive, but at the end of the day, like it ain't doing that but trying to help each other out to be the best we can be. And you guys clearly made an impact doing that. Even if it wasn't heavy minutes in game, you obviously left an

impression on your teammates. On your head coach, what was it like to play for Doc Rivers and what are you looking forward to about continuing? It's great. I feel like he's a player's post. He's gonna tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. And now you know I I could take that from anybody. He doesn't beat around the bush. It's a great post. Make sure that if you don't understand, you do understand,

like you could talk to him. He's a great leader, points out everything like he never leaves anything really unsaid. It needs to be said, so you can't. You can't hate on a guy like that. And I guess I should have opened with this, but I know that congratulations are somewhat in order for you because you will be back this year. What are your goals as you get ready for I guess your first full but second two

way season with the Sixers. Oh, you know, just to get better, Just to see what I could do to help the team, because I know I can help the team. That's the reason I decided to come back. I see myself being real special here in Philly. So just learning the system, learning what they need me to do, what the team needs. Really, that's that's about it. Just any way I can feel like I can help, I feel I could be really special here. So that's the reason

I'm back, and I'm definitely excited. A lot of my job deals with the fan perspective and how they interact with you guys, and the fans really latched onto you based on your work up lines. Can you tell us a little bit about those dunks, about like if you've always been a dunker, what you think the ceiling is? Like? Are we there yet? Just tell us a little bit more about your identity, especially as a dunker. Oh for sure. Yeah,

I've always been a dunker. Anytime I'm in layup lines, you know, people ask me how do I explain my game? And I just tell him exciting Like anytime I'm on the court, you know, it's it's like, oh man, what is he gonna do? And honestly, I really don't think I have a ceiling. Uh. I feel like just working on my game, expanding my shot and everything else comes

so naturally. But just being in layoub lines, you know, not really playing just to show everybody, giving people a little show before the show, you feel what I'm saying. So that's that's what I do. I like to put on the show. So did you feel I mean, obviously when you first started out there weren't any fans in the building here, But what was it like towards the end of the year as people started to really embrace you guys, what was your impression of the Philadelphia fans.

I love Philadelphia fans. I love when they boys when we're playing bad, and I love when they chatting us on we're playing great. You know, I'm from Charlotte, uh um mother and mother was raised in New York. So I'm used to, Hey, if you're not playing good, like, we're gonna let you know about yourself. Like you feel what I'm saying, So like, I love it. It's undeniable love. Like you know, it's just like family, Like they're gonna they're gonna let you know when you're doing bad, and

you're gonna hear about it. But at the end of the day, they're still Philly fans. They're gonna love you regardless right around. So I love it. I have no complaints about that. And as the fans continue to get to know you, and as we wrap up this interview that we're doing right now, what should folks know about Rayjon Tucker off the court? What are you into? What type of guy are you? What are you up to when you're not hooping? Like? What is what is your

life like away from basketball? Life away from basketball? I like music. I'm really into musicum My brother he makes beach, I'll be in there helping him with bees, listening to bees in the studio, play two klt I play video games a lot when I'm just not really doing anything. I love to sleep, love to eat. So if anybody has any food restaurants that they know, if it is real good the hole in the wall spots, let me know because I will both try it out. But basically

that's about it on real chill, real laid back. If you see me out in public speak, I asked to take a picture. I'm always willing. So that's about it with me. Rayjon Tucker, man of the people. If you see him in the street, take a picture. Think of picture sounds good. Rason, thank you so much for doing this with me. Best of Black in summer league continues and I look forward to seeing you in Philly. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks as always for listening to

the seventy Sixers podcast Network. I'm Lauren Rosen. That was Ragion Tucker. Thanks, of course the Raison and the seventy six Ers b our staff for making sure that those interviews got set up. It has been a pleasure to watch the Sixers summer squad succeed. Make sure you're subscribed to the seventy Sixers Podcast Network for more interviews like

these as the offseason continues. If you're not already subscribed to the seventy Sixers Scoop, make sure you're doing that as well for short forms snackable podcasts almost every day of summer league and into the off season. Thanks as always for listening. Have a good one and we will talk soon.