The 2005 – 2006 Baker Orange newcomer of the year is junior basketball player Nate Pedrow.
The 6’7,” 210 lb. native of Lone Jack, Mo., Pedrow was able to step in and become a major contributor for this year’s men’s basketball team.
Head coach Rick Weaver said he was pleased with the contributions Pedrow immediately brought to his team.
“Nate’s mobile for a tall guy and he runs the floor and goes to the boards,” Weaver said. “He was able to come in and contribute right away at both the offensive and defensive end.”
Pedrow’s presence inside became even more valuable for the Wildcats after the season-ending injury of junior Darin Redeker and the injury to sophomore Aaron Toren during a midseason trip to Spain. Pedrow ended the season averaging 9.7 points and 6.5 rebounds a game while leading the team in double-doubles with five.
Pedrow also impressed his teammates including senior point guard Tyler Scifers.
“Nate did a great job for us this year,” Scifers said. “He’s a good player now, but if he keeps working, he could be really special for this team next year.”
Pedrow started his college basketball career a few miles up the road at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan.
In recent years, this has been a common trend among the men’s basketball team.
“Nate came to BU from JCCC,” Weaver said. “We had a chance to see him quite a bit over there the last couple years as we were recruiting (senior) David Ward, (junior) Greg Allen and Taylor Park, who will be coming to BU this fall.”
At Johnson County, Pedrow’s college career got off to a slow start. In his freshman season, he averaged 3.5 points per game in 33 games.
“It was good to be able to come off the bench my freshman year and learn the game at the collegiate level,” Pedrow said. “Like every college athlete, I had to get used to the speed of the game and make my adjustments. There were rough times my freshman year, but I learned a lot.”
In his sophomore year, he said he became a major contributor for the Cavaliers basketball team finishing second on the team in points and rebounds with, 11.4 and 5.2, respectively.
“The second year at Johnson County really prepared me to be successful at the next level,” Pedrow said. “I became more comfortable playing at this level, and I feel like I got better with every game.”
Pedrow said the upcoming season would be unpredictable.
“We have a chance to be a very good team,” Pedrow said. “But we are losing two great players in Tyler (Scifers) and Dave (Ward). Other guys, including myself, are going to have to carry more of the load for this team.”
