CARBONDALE — Imagine putting in all the time and effort of practicing just like other players on the team, but knowing you’re not going step foot on the floor. Welcome to the life of a redshirt. Four Saluki freshmen are hoping that work put in now will help them become contributors in seasons to come.
Sometimes its hard going from being a big fish in a small pond in high school, to being a small fish in a big pond in college.
"Last year, I could drive, post up. I kind of just did everything for the team last year," said SIU freshman guard Sam Shafer.
"I was a playmaker, just like a true point guard. I was just able to like slow the game down when I could, and just distribute and just score when I had to. Just anything to win," said SIU freshman guard David Swedura.
Incoming freshman are faced with a difficult decision at the start of their college careers, whether or not to play right away, or sit out a year to better their game.
"I got redshirted, and it was not really a bad thing. I had to learn, and be familiar with a lot of stuff, the college game, and it’s really helped me," said SIU freshman forward Sekou Dembele.
"Obviously the goal is to earn playing time, but I chose to redshirt. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to get better, get stronger, and just be more prepared," said Swedura.
The decision to redshirt typically pays off, as it takes time adjusting to the college level.
"I underestimated for sure, when I first got here, I struggled a little bit. Just with the speed and athleticism, because it’s nothing like high school," said Shafer.
"I’d say physically it’s been really different. In high school, you don’t really have like a, you have like one guy that’s 6�6" and he’s the center back in high school, and now, you have that being a two guard and stuff like that," said Swedura.
The Saluki redshirts essentially become students of the game for the season, taking in everything they can from the coaches at practice, and during the games.
"Every movement that they’ve been doing on the court, Autry be coming to me and Sekou like trying to explain to us what should do on the court and stuff," said SIU freshman forward Amadou Fall.
"Help us to not do the same mistakes that the others may be doing, and make us focus on the game, how to move, how to do things and get better," said Dembele.
And the little things they’ve learned along the way this season has helped them grow as players
"I’d say I’ve got better, just more used to the game, more confident, and just my shot’s been getting better just working out in the gym every day," said Shafer.
"Getting better in the post, in the post move, rebounding, playing against some really good players in the league," said Dembele.
With their redshirt season nearing it’s end, the opportunity of seeing the floor next season seems that much closer.
"Excited to show what I can do, and just having an opportunity to do the best I can to get my team to win," said Swedura.
"Being here, like with the fans, the Arena is almost always packed. You know, I’m just excited to be on the floor and show what I can do," said Dembele.
