Cameron Headlines 'Jacks Three-Member Junior Class
10/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
With just three weeks until the SFA men’s basketball team opens the 2015-16 season, SFAJacks.com will take a class-by-class look at the team every Friday afternoon leading up to the season opener at No. 21-ranked Baylor on Friday, Nov. 13. The junior unit is up next in the Lumberjack hoops preview series.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – All of the familiarity with the successes of the Stephen F. Austin men's basketball program throughout the recent years are still fresh in the mind of junior Dallas Cameron.
After all, he was one of the individuals who occupied the limelight. Now, entering his first year as an upperclassman, Cameron has built on his experiences and transformed into a leader in every facet for the Lumberjacks.
The learning curve experienced over the past two seasons for Cameron will have to be experienced for the first time as junior college transfers JaQuan Smith and CJ Williams join the fray as siginificant frontcourt upgrades for SFA in 2015-16.
Of the 15 players occupying a spot on the Lumberjacks’ roster who hail from some point in the United States, none have traveled a lengthier distance to don an SFA uniform than Baltimore, Md., product JaQuan Smith. The long-limbed, 6-9 forward made a two-year stopover in Tonkawa, Oklahoma where her strutted his stuff down low for Northern Oklahoma College.
“JaQuan’s long-term ability to help us is very, very good,” head coach Brad Underwood stated. “He brings a 7-4 wingspan which makes him a very good shot blocker, he’s got great timing and he’s a tremendous runner. On top of that, he’s 245-250 pounds he’s a young man that gives us a presence down low that we have hot had.”
By the time his two-year stint in Tonkawa was in the books, Smith had amassed more blocked shots (151) than any other player in the history of the program. His 95 rejections as a sophomore stands at the highest single-season total in the Mavericks’ record book, too.
When not terrorizing opposing scorers with his mighty mitts on the defensive end, Smith pumped in six points per outing. As soon as it came time for Smith to select his next college basketball destination, suitors such as Louisiana Tech, Iona, Middle Tennessee and the ACC’s North Carolina State came out of the woodwork. SFA, however, stood above the others due in large part to its past successes, the family atmosphere and the strong work ethic that has become synonymous with the Lumberjacks.
“When I visited here, I felt like it was a home for me,” Smith said. “They really welcomed me here and I felt like they were going to push me to the limit more than any other school.”
Although there may be some additional cargo on the frame of 6-6 junior forward CJ Williams, the former Hill College standout has turned heads in the early weeks of practice thanks to his nimble presence coupled with court vision that some backcourt specimens would envy.
“He’s one of the best passers on our team, and every day he has a pass of two where you just sit there and go, ‘wow,’” said Underwood. “His presence on the glass is something we’ve noticed, too, and we’re very excited about how he’s going to fit in and give us a different piece than we’ve had in terms of sheer physical size.”
No matter whether Cameron, a Pompano Beach, Fla., product, found himself coming off the bench or heard his name called as part of SFA’s starting five, the 6-3 guard’s consistency, production and commitment to greatness were never questioned. Cameron was one of just two underclassmen – the other being Ty Charles – who appeared in all 34 of the ‘Jacks engagements in 2014-15. Throughout his sophomore campaign, he was inserted into the starting lineup on 14 occasions and netted 4.9 points per game on .409 field goal shooting.
“Dallas is a rock,” said Underwood. “He’s one of the first young men we signed in this program and every year he’s gotten better. He’s very committed, dedicated and doesn’t take any plays off. Dallas can play multiple positions, he’s gotten stronger, more agile and he’s become an all-around better athlete. I’m expecting a big, big year from him.”
To purchase season tickets for the 2015-16 men’s basketball season, fans can contact the SFA ticket office at (936) 468-JACK (5225).
Lumberjack Basketball Preview Series
October 9 – Freshmen
October 16 – Sophomores
October 23 – Juniors
October 30 – Seniors
November 6 – Season Outlook
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