‘Leader’ still finding his voice
One of nine siblings, Pedulla learned early on to battle for what he wanted
Virginia Tech point guard Sean Pedulla said he knows people consider him to be aggressive and talkative on the court.
And all that, he said, is merely a product of how he grew up.
“I was one of nine kids,” said Pedulla, a 6-foot-1 sophomore who is expected to be in the starting lineup yonight when the Hokies open their season at home against Coppin State at 8.
So how did being No. 7 among nine children, five boys and four girls, make Pedulla the person he is today?
“Actually, it made me who I am,” he said.
Pedulla, who grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma, said being in a big family taught him to battle for what he wanted.
At the recent ACC Media Days in Charlotte, a reporter asked Pedulla how he developed the swagger that teammates say he has.
“Probably from beating up my brothers in the driveway,” he said with a smile. “With a lot of siblings, you develop swagger.”
But the talking thing? That came later.
“Growing up, I was usually in the corner, shooting baskets with my little goal,” he said. “I flew under the radar. I had very little pull in my family.”
By the time he started playing AAU and high school ball, coaches were telling him to speak up more.
“My coaches really pushed me on that,” he said. “In my family, I got talked over a lot. So I stayed quiet. I had to learn to speak up for myself.”
By the time he reached his senior year at Edmond Memorial
High, Pedulla was ranked among the top prep players in Oklahoma — and was considered a takecharge guy.
Pedulla said he hasn’t really changed, despite what people see on the court.
“Most people think I’m an outgoing vocal guy,” he said. “But I’m really pretty introverted. Off the court, I’m quiet.”
However, he said the aggressive, competitive nature of his game is accurate.
“Being aggressive is what makes me me,” he said. “Taking that away would change who I am.”
Teammate Hunter Cattoor said Pedulla “comes to practice and battles hard every day.”
Perhaps being in competition with siblings is what helped Pedulla wait patiently for his chance. He didn’t start any of the Hokies’ 36 games in his first year, then started all 34 last season.
“Once you do have that opportunity, you’ve got to make the most of it,” he said. “And last year, I felt like I did a decent job, for the most part.”
Coach Mike Young credits Pedulla with being a savvy playmaker and a tough defender. He also was the team’s No. 2 scorer last season, averaging 15 points a game. He scored in double figures in 31 of the Hokies’ 34 games, with a high of 25 points March 4 against Florida State.
“Being a point guard can be
tough,” Pedulla said. “You have to figure out a balance between scoring and playmaking.”
He said Young has been very supportive.
“He wants me to be who I am,” Pedulla said of the Hokies’ coach.
Young said Pedulla is “sharp, he’s tough, and he’s worked hard.”
“He’s grown into a leader,” Cattoor added. “It’s absolutely awesome to see the growth Sean has made.”
The Hokies had a big run two years ago, capturing the ACC Tournament as an outsider. Last year, a 19-15 record (8-12 in the conference) was a disappointment, Pedulla said.
“We just didn’t get the job done, especially defensively,” he said. “Two years ago, we played really well on defense. We’ve got to return to how we played two years ago.”
Pedulla has plenty of people in his corner and an even bigger rooting section with his family.
“The thing about a big family is you have people supporting you,” he said. “I know my family supports me. Like I said, growing up in a family like mine has made me the person I am today.”