11/16/07

The three junior transfers who joined the men’s basketball team this year are expected to have a strong impact while adding depth to an already impressive lineup.

Junior Nick Iversen is a 5-foot-10-inch guard from Kirkwood Community College in Iowa. Coach Rick Weaver said he is expecting Iversen to add strength to the team’s offense at the guard spot this season.

“We are looking to Iversen for mainly some help in our backcourt, he’s a pretty good ball handler,” Weaver said. Juniors Heath Baird, a 6-foot-5-inch forward, and Brett Shaw, a 6-foot-6-inch forward, both came from Cloud County Community College but will have very different roles on this year’s team. Weaver said he is expecting Baird to help the team with outside shooting and perimeter play while he hopes Shaw will add strength on the inside with powerful post play.

“One is basically a ball handler, one we are looking for perimeter shooting and the other one we want some inside help,” he said.

While each player’s role on the court varies greatly, they have all been dealing with the transition to a new team. Weaver said the change in surroundings can be quite the adjustment for players in the beginning of the season.

“I think when you transfer in as a new player it is a bit of an adjustment because you’ve got new teammates, a new coach and you’re playing new competition,” he said. “They all have some adjustment, but I think they have all done a good job.”

Iversen said he chose Baker because of the strong basketball program and competitive conference. He said his teammates have made the switch to a new school and a new team a comfortable one.

“The guys on the team are really good guys, and we started off the season really well which makes things a little easier,” he said. “Coach Weaver has been helping me and the other two transfers out really well.”

Shaw said his transition academically, as well as on the basketball court, has been an easy one.

“It’s been pretty easy because all the people are nice, all of the professors treat you pretty well and coach Weaver is pretty much a character, so it’s pretty fun,” he said.

Although it’s still early in the season, Weaver said he knows each transfer will have a positive impact on the court this season.

“Well, I think they have all brought different things to the table,” he said. “Right now, they are kind of like the whole team. We are still trying to learn to play together, learn the system, get used to each other. They’ve all done a pretty good job at different times”