At the end of the 2012-13 season, the Salt Lake Community College men’s basketball team were ranked fifth overall in the Division I NJCAA national poll, finishing first in the Scenic West Athletic Conference with an overall record of 29-4.
The Bruins only lost one home game last year. The Oct. 19 Jamboree in the Taylorsville Redwood Campus’ Lifetime Activities Center (LAC) between 10 teams will be an opportunity for SLCC students to see this year’s team in action.
“Our younger age of this year’s team can be a challenge. However, the exuberance of our younger players is quite contagious,” says Paul Marble, SLCC men’s basketball assistant coach.
One of those younger players is De’Sean Parsons out of Sacramento, CA.
As a forward for Grant Union High School, Parsons was named Delta League MVP during his senior year. In addition, Parsons helped to lead his team to a conference championship during his school’s 2012-13 season.
“We only lost one league game last year, so everyone should be gunning for us,” says Todd Phillips, SLCC men’s basketball head coach. “We have a good balance of size and athleticism and expect big things from this year’s team.”
The team has three players standing at a staggering 6 foot 11 inches.
This will make it difficult for most competitors to move the ball inside the key. Combine that defensive power with the athleticism of players such as returning starter Gary Payton II, one of the league’s best players last season, and the Bruins will be a formidable.
Since Gary Payton II is the only returning starter, he will be in a de facto leadership role for the team because of his familiarity with the tough competition.
The players and coaches are only part of the equation to a successful season for the men’s Bruin basketball team.
“When we have bigger crowds, the gym vibrates with energy and noise, and our guys feed off that,” says Phillips. “We play harder, and the players have more energy. It also causes problems for the visiting team.”
In addition to watching a talented group of young men play basketball, attendees of games this year will be part of fun and engaging traditions that the team will be starting for the first time this season.
For more information about the men’s Bruins basketball team, visit www.slccbruins.com and click on the sports menu. The schedule for the entire season can be found there, as well as statistics for players and the team.
Games are free for SLCC students with their student IDs.
