With two of the team leaders from last year in Briante Weber and Treveon Graham, there is an opening for someone to move into the position of both on-and-off the court leadership. In VCU’s past, the point guard position has spearheaded the team’s attack and heading into this season, there will be new faces at the position.
Since Eric Maynor’s sophomore season in 2007, the VCU point guard has consistently been one of the most important assets on the team, whether it is offensively or defensively. When Maynor graduated as VCU’s all-time leading scorer in 2009, his understudy, Joey Rodriguez, took the torch. During Rodriguez’s time as the starting point guard, he was able to help lead the Rams to their most successful year to date, the classic “Final Four” season.
Following Rodriguez’s stint, Darius Theus took the lead of the Rams’ offense, with back-to-back successful seasons while leading the team in assists. Finally, for the past three years at VCU the heart and soul of “Havoc” has been Briante Weber, who graduated leading the country in steals and leading the team in assists.
Former head coach Shaka Smart was able to provide specific insight to the position, thanks to the fact he played point guard at Kenyon College from 1995-1999. Smart instilled his passion into his players, while leaning on his guards to lead the team.
Entering this new season with new head coach Will Wade, two guards will look to take over the offense. It is unprecedented for VCU to have question marks around the point guard position. The two contenders will be junior Jequan Lewis and sophomore Jonathan Williams. Last year Lewis played 22 minutes a game, averaging 8.5 points and just fewer than three assists per game. Lewis said he feels Wade gives the team the push they need to be successful and understands they have what it takes.
“Coach Wade has been tough, not sugarcoating anything,” Lewis said. “He’s hard on us because he knows what we can do.”
Williams, entering his second season as a Ram, played just 10 minutes a game last season, but this year will see a huge increase in playing time as he adjusts to a bigger role.
“I’m ready. This offseason I worked a lot on my shot,” Williams said. “Last year teams would go under screens on me so this year I’m coming back being a better shooter. I just got to keep getting better as a player.”
VCU has become known across the country for its aggressive, hectic, defensive style of play. Despite Weber and Smart no longer being at VCU, the Rams are preparing to use that same style with these two guards taking the lead.
“Briante was one-of-a-kind, but this year we plan on coming with the same pressure defensively and as a team hope to be just as effective,” Lewis said. “I see us winning a lot if everyone is able to play their role. We’re ready to go.”
Lewis was unable to provide an instant spark in the exhibition match against California University of Pennsylvania. The junior struggled to get going offensively and turned the ball over early. Williams on the other hand displayed his improved game and ability to act as a floor general, understanding when to push the rock and when to have the offense settle into their offensive set.
Williams and Lewis combined for most of the minutes at the point guard position of the 96-60 win. Williams performed better, scoring 11 points and two assists to only one turnover. Lewis scored a modest four points, but was able to pass the ball to shooters on the fast break, totaling seven assist in 15 minutes. However Lewis did succumb to three turnovers.
Staff Writer, Marcus Blackwell
Marcus is a junior majoring in mass communications with a concentration in broadcast journalism. Marcus enjoys sports and music. // Twitter | Facebook