LeKendric Longmire
Redshirt freshman
Guard
6’5″, 200 pounds
Pascagoula, Miss.
Oregon Daily Emerald: Ernie Kent’s not known for utilizing the redshirt option on his recruits – how was the year off for you?
LeKendric Longmire: It was pretty tough, but just to be able to sit around and practice with Malik (Hairston) and Bryce (Taylor) and those guys – to work on my body and get strong – it definitely helped me for this season.
ODE: Would you be the player you are now without the redshirt season?
LL: Nah, I definitely utilized the redshirt.
ODE: How’s your game different that anyone else on the team?
LL: Well, I take pride doing whatever it takes to get a victory. Whatever it is that needs to be done, I’m the guy that’s willing to do it. I contribute where I can and when my number’s called, I play the best I can.
ODE: Coming from Mississippi, how different has your life been in Eugene?
LL: Wow. It’s way different. I mean any place you go, you meet people, you sometimes venture out and feel comfortable and I like it here. I’m happy where I’m at.
ODE: What’s been your favorite part about living in Eugene?
LL: The different scenery, the people. The atmosphere is a lot different.
ODE: What do you miss most about Mississippi?
LL: The weather (Laughs).
ODE: Have you been able to find any good Cajun food here?
LL: Oh, now that’s tough. It’s hard, so my mom sends me all the newest spices from back home. That helps me out a lot.
ODE: What gets you more homesick: The food or the weather?
LL: A combination of both (Laughs). I’d have to say the food gets me more homesick.
ODE: So Joevan Catron has been talking to his buddies in the Midwest and getting them signed on to Oregon next year. When can we expect your friends from the South coming here?
LL: We’ll have to see about some of my friends. He grew up with them, you know; I wasn’t originally from Mississippi. It’s a matter of finding out about some of my friends as they get better and introduce them to Coach. I’ve talked to some of them, but most of them are in college.