Meet The Lumberjack Basketball Newcomers
10/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 29, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - When the Stephen F. Austin men's basketball team takes the floor this season, Lumberjack fans might notice a few new faces in uniform -- nine, to be exact. The nine newcomers for 2007-08 tie two previous years for the most SFA rookies to start a season under eighth-year head coach Danny Kaspar. The class includes five prep recruits and four collegiate transfers. Following is the fourth in a series of question-and-answer sessions that will help SFA fans get to know the newest Lumberjacks. Today's featured 'Jack is sophomore transfer Eric Bell.
At 5-6, 160 pounds, Bell is by far the smallest player on the Lumberjack roster. But the lightning-quick point guard could potentially have the biggest impact of SFA's nine newcomers. His arrival gives the Lumberjacks a dependable distributor on the offensive end of the floor and a tenacious defender on the ball, both things the Lumberjacks lacked at point guard a year ago. Bell comes to SFA after spending his freshman year at McLennan Community College. He helped lead the team to a share of the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference last season, when he averaged 4.3 assists per contest. Bell was an all-conference honoree and was named the NTJCAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Kaspar is a fan of both Bell's playing abilities and his attitude, calling him "one of the more likeable young men I've ever been around. He is a very team-oriented person who looks to set up his teammates more than any other point guard I've had here."
Bell will major in psychology at Stephen F. Austin.
Below are Bell's responses to the Lumberjack newcomer survey:
Q: What is your favorite professional sports team?
A: Phoenix Suns.
Q: Who are your favorite athletes?
A: Steve Nash.
Q: What was the biggest factor in your decision to come to Stephen F. Austin?
A: The atmosphere and the people.
Q: What has been your biggest surprise about college life at SFA?
A: The student life.
Q: What do you think is your best attribute on the court?
A: Leadership.
Q: What has been the toughest part of preseason practice, so far?
A: The running.
Q: If you had to sum up this year's team in one word, what would it be?
A: Solid.
Q: What's your weirdest pre-game superstition?
A: Singing.
Q: What position, besides your natural position, would you like to play and why?
A: Power forward. I want to play both inside and outside.
Q: What's your most prized possession?
A: My sister.
• Fans have the chance to meet Eric Bell and the rest of the Lumberjacks Tuesday night at the annual Meet the Lumberjacks dinner. The event is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Baker Pattillo Student Center. Tickets are $10, and the cost of admission includes a meal. The Lumberjacks begin their season on Nov. 5 with a home exhibition game against Abilene Christian.
-- SFA --
