Damion Grant QA

NEW HAMPTON, N.H. -- Damion Grant would have preferred to play, but the 7-0 senior center from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire could only watch as future North Carolina teammate Rashad McCants pumped in 31 points to lead New Hampton to a 77-71 victory on Saturday night.

Grant suffered a deep tissue bruise in his thigh on Friday night at the New Hampton School Invitational after colliding with Winchendon's Martin Iti, and that precluded him from playing in Saturday night's consolation tilt.

After the game on Saturday, Grant sat down with the Insiders Report/Rivalshoops.com to discuss a number of issues, including the injury.

IR: Can you explain what happened last night to cause the injury?

DG: Last night, with nine seconds to go in the game, I got kneed in the thigh. The trainer said it was a deep tissue thigh bruise. So it's been real stiff and really sore. I've been with the trainer most of the day, trying to loosen it up and get rid of some of the swelling. That's why I sat out tonight.

IR: Did you think about playing tonight, or did you know that once you got up today that you wouldn't be able to go?

DG: Well the trainer basically told me last night that he would be surprised if I was going to be able to play today. So I iced it last night, and got up this morning and it was really sore. I could not walk when I got up. So I went to the trainer's office and she worked on it. Right now, it's feeling a little bit better but I still wasn't able to play.

IR: Is it something that will be chronic or serious?

DG: No, I should be back within a week.

IR: Who did you bump into and how did it happen?

DG: It was Martin Iti. He went up for a lay up and I went up to block it, and that's when he kneed me in the thigh. It did not hurt that bad for a few seconds, but when I ran back down court, my whole leg cramped up.

IR: What did you think about Rashad McCants' performance tonight?

DG: Rashad is an amazing player. Every time I see him, I am still amazed by the things that he can do. He scores with ease. He is an absolute warrior out there. I am glad that he will be on my team next year. Hopefully, with him and the other guys we have coming in, we can bring Carolina back to where they should be, that's number one.

IR: Have you gotten to know him well?

DG: I've spoken to him a few times, but I don't know him on a real personal level. Just from talking to him and playing against him, I can see he's a cool guy.

IR: What are some of the things you are working on in your game, and some of the things that you do well?

DG: I will definitely be able to come in and block some shots. That's where they will need me on the defensive end, blocking shots, getting rebounds. I will definitely be able to do that. Right now, I am working on my low post moves, getting comfortable with that. Getting the ball and doing my moves without hesitating. I've been working on that and it's coming along very well.