Ivy Hoops Online recently caught up with Yale senior guard John Poulakidas, a Naperville, Ill. native and the Ivy League’s scoring leader at 19.5 points per game:
Ivy Hoops Online: What was your recruiting process like during COVID?
John Poulakidas: It was definitely difficult. Butler offered me. Princeton was in the mix. Not having an AAU year hindered my recruitment.
IHO: What is it like to play for James Jones?
JP: It’s been a treat. You can go to him for anything.
IHO: Do you think that the Ivy should do more NIL-wise?
JP: I hope that it does change for the future. I can’t fault a kid who can get six figures going elsewhere. I would want my son to enjoy Yale.
IHO: Compare your team a year ago with now.
JP: Last year, we were still figuring it out. Sometimes practices weren’t the best environment. We are playing for something bigger. (Fellow Yale senior guard) Bez (Mbeng) and me are playing for our legacies.
IHO: How far can this team go?
JP: We can be a tournament team. We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves.
IHO: What was the NCAA Auburn win like last year? (Editor’s note: Poulakidas scored 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting in a Round of 64 NCAA Tournament win over Auburn.)
JP: It was a great win for Yale University. It showed what I am capable of.
IHO: Can the Ivy ever be a two-bid league?
JP: If they pay players, yes.
IHO: Plans next year?
JP: NBA is the goal.
“Princeton was in the mix”!!!! OMG. He could be POY this year.