Video: Guard Bensley Joseph to step up as a leader in 2023 for Miami

The junior will be in France this week, helping his team prepare for the upcoming season. He shared his thoughts about the basketball program's future and what he looks forward to accomplishing.

"I'm excited for this season. Obviously, last year we went to the Final Four, we made a historic run for the first time in school history, and I came back to just build on that and just continue winning. I love Coach L, I like playing for Coach L, he gives me the ultimate confidence and lets me play and be myself, and that's all I ask for in a coach, and that was the main reason of me staying. Coming back and trying to add extra Ws for the University of Miami basketball program."

Joseph is of Haitian descent and will try to use his knowledge of the Haitian Creole language to help with his communication in France.

"I hope my Creole comes into a big part. It's really different, completely two different languages, but there are some things that are similar out there that I can help understand and hopefully vice versa, but I'm excited to go out there and speak a little of my French that I know.

He shares his thoughts on new additions to the squad:

"I think the newcomers, the freshman, it's going to take them time to adjust just like me. I was in the same position two years ago. It's not something that is rushed, we have a long way until the season starts, but I think the starting foundation of building habits now, those all play a big part. I think those freshmen have handled it pretty well. They've been competing, they've been playing hard, and I'm excited for them. As a now, more of a veteran role, I just want to keep my young freshmen, keep them intrigued, keep them into it, keep them energized, have them buy in because the more they buy in, the more dangerous we'll be as a basketball team."

On improving his game:

"Me personally, just working on myself in all aspects of my game. Whether it's being a better point guard, better decision-making, making more shots, being able to make the right reads off of pick-and-rolls, finding guys on time, on target, so really just being just a better leader, better version of myself from both of my years that I came here. Now obviously, I'm a junior, I have a big role. I have a lot of goals, but I think my main goal right now is to win 1-0 with this team from game to game. Taking it game-by-game, not really rushed or look into the future right now but take it a game at a time. There's going to be ups and downs. We want to have more ups than downs, so just really focusing on this team and putting this team first and doing anything I can do to help us win at all costs, and yeah, I'm excited for this season."

On if he will step up to be a leader for this team:

"Honestly, yes. Credit to Jordan [Miller], Isaiah [Wong]. Guys in my freshman year, Charlie [Moore], Kameron [McGusty], Sam [Waardenburg], for kind of just leading the way for me. That's all I kind of ask for. Those guys set the right example every single day, game in, game out, and just watching them and learning from them my two years, now I feel like in my third year that it just feels so easy going to be a leader and be vocal out there. I've already always been a vocal kid and person. It comes natural honestly. This year is going to be more of a bigger role and task but I'm excited. I'm not afraid of it at all. Now it's going to be on a bigger stage with a great time and hopefully, it can lead us to many many victories and into the tournament.

Miami will start its exhibition games on August 4th, continue on the 5th, and conclude on the 9th.

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