"They genuinely care and they kept it straight with me. They didn’t tell me I was just this great player.
Just told me what I needed to work on and what I could do from now on to be ready.
I love the staff and I know I’ve only known them for maybe a month or a month and a half, but they’re just so real with me.
They keep everything real and I love coaches who are straightforward," said Mercer.
The local product emphasized his desire to help revitalize Cincinnati basketball, which has missed the NCAA Tournament for seven consecutive seasons.
"I think Cincinnati is going to get a proven winner in me. They haven’t won in so long.
They haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament in seven years. I’m just ready to bring the culture back.
I just think Cincinnati is such a special place," said Mercer.
He concluded by highlighting his broader goals for the university program and the surrounding community.
"I think with the new addition of that coaching staff, and of course me making this decision to go there a year early, hopefully it shows that I’m trying to accomplish something big and I’m not just doing it for myself.
I’m doing it for the city as well.
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So I just want to win, make it to the tournament, hopefully win a tournament, and I know that all of us are on the same page as far as fans, coaching staff, and my family as well," said Mercer.
