Photo by: Andrew Fielding
Redshirt senior forward Rob Lewis and senior guard Brian Stafford will lead the Pioneers this season as the 2011-2012 men’s basketball captains.
“They have worked extremely hard,” said head coach Joe Scott. “Basketball is extremely important for them, and we’re going to have a great year.”
Alongside Lewis and Stafford, nine additional letter winners will be returning to the roster, including 83 percent of last year’s scoring and rebounding. As captains, both players are prepared to step up as leaders for their teammates.
“[Our role is] to be an extension of coach Scott, vocally and through our actions,” said Lewis. “We need to lead the team through the way that we play and how we work in the weight room.”
Lewis was granted a medical redshirt after missing the 2010-2011 season due to a fracture in his lower back, which led to nerve damage in his left leg and foot. In his first three seasons with the Pioneers, Lewis recorded 884 points, 398 rebounds and 154 assists in 89 career games that includes 48 starts.
“I know [Lewis] is going to help us from a leadership standpoint,” said Scott. “His commitment has gone up a lot, and he’s grown up a lot. He’s a natural scorer.”
Stafford also brings experience to the team, including 1,138 career points, which ranks him 19th in DU all-time history.
“Brian has started since he was a freshman,” said Scott. “He has been very consistent throughout his career as a shooter and a scorer. I’m looking forward to him having a very good senior year.”
In his first three seasons, Stafford started all 93 games and was named the team’s Most Valuable Freshman in 2008-2009.
“We need to be leaders on the court, in games and in practice,” said Stafford. “As seniors, we need to be able to do what we’re coached to do very well.”
Off the court, both players are also dedicated to academics.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in finance last June, Lewis is now pursuing a Master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance as part of the Daniels College of Business’ one-year MBA program. He earned a place on the Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll the previous four years for maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.
“It’s a pretty cool opportunity to be taking graduate classes and playing basketball,” said Lewis. “I am excited to see what this team can do.”
Stafford, also a finance major, took courses over the summer quarter and completed the majority of his major requirements. After the fall quarter, he will focus primarily on real estate, which he is considering as a minor.
The senior has earned a spot on the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List the past three years for maintaining a 3.5 GPA or better.
Looking forward, both players hope to win the SBC conference and advance to the NCAA Tournament at the end of the season.
“I feel very optimistic,” said Lewis. “It’s one of the first times I’ve been here when a lot of guys are familiar with how to play college basketball. Our team goal is to win the regular season league championships. We definitely have the tools to do that.”
The Pioneers are excited for Lewis’ return, according to Stafford.
“Having Rob back will be great for us,” said Stafford. “Lots of guys are returning that had big impacts last year, and we’re just happy to have Rob healthy again. We want to be playing our best ball at the end of the season.”
The Pioneers will begin their final Sun Belt Conference season Nov. 11 as they take on Portland State in Magness Arena at 7:30 p.m.
