Lookin' to the Vets

By Davie Wong

The long wait is over! As the NBA picks up their season, so too does the PACWEST. This week sees the Royals men's basketball team takes on the Capilano Blues in a playoff rematch. It will also be the team's new head coach, Joe Enevoldson's first game in the PACWEST as a head coach.

            Hired in May, Enevoldson has had some time to get his roster up to speed for the coming PACWEST regular season. His transition has been aided by the veteran status of the Royals squad. With five third to fifth year players, Enevoldson's job has been made easier by the general game knowledge and willingness to try new things from his players, and he has not been shy to acknowledge the fact. "Having a veteran squad set when you transfer into a program, it makes the transition easier. The players all came in wanting to get a little bit better, and that is our focus, to get better every day. Hopefully by the end of the year, through process, we're going to be a pretty good team".

            That transition period has no set time, but the new head coach admits it may take a little longer than the PACWEST season allots for. "When a new coach comes in there is a transition period. I don't think we're going to play our best basketball until January, or February". Peaking at the right time is often a plan that many coaches hope go in their favor. If the team can hit their stride when they come back in January, they can really put themselves in a good spot to take some big games.

            In terms of how the team will be playing, Enevoldson is not a coach to force a style on his players. His coaching philosophy has him allowing the team to play to their strengths, and creating plans to maximize them, as well as minimize their weaknesses. For the Royals, Joe sees the team strength in their physicality. "We're definitely a grind physical team. We're going to be hard-nosed and be a physical team on and off the basketball. We have some strong physical guys and everybody is really embracing the style of play".

            This year, the team has an abundance of depth. With a roster of 14 players, Enevoldson definitely has options. While players like fourth-year All-Star Grant Campbell and fifth-year forward Malcom Mensah will be getting a lion's share of minutes, Joe plans for all the players on the team to be given a chance to make an impact. "Everybody will get opportunities some point in the season. Their job is to make the most of it," Joe says.

            Mensah and Campbell's efforts on the court have not gone unnoticed. The players, alongside head coach Joe Enevoldson, have named Grant Campbell, and Malcom Mensah the captains of the Royals 2016-2017 Men's Basketball team. The two have displayed consistent leadership traits during their tenure with the team, and now will get the chance to lead them on the court.

            The team's first challenge will be this Friday, when the Royals face off against the Capilano Blues. The Blues knocked the team out of the PACWEST Championships last year, and ended the squad's dreams of Nationals. When asked about how the team's training has been working up towards the matchup, Joe said, "The guys returning have a bit of a sour taste in their mouth when they think of CapU ending their season last year. They're going to be a little more motivated and emotionally involved".

            However, the Royals aren't just looking to win against the Blues. The team wants to start strongly in general. If not, they hope to finish strongly. All in all, Enevoldson is looking forward to the season. "It's going to be a fun year. We're going to establish a style of play, and we're going to stick to it. The league is very wide open, and any team could win. Every game is going to be of paramount importance".

            Come out to support the Royals as they open their regular season at home. The men play against the Capilano Blues on Friday at the New Westminster Campus gym, at 8pm. Go Royals!