Amar Stukes settling in at point guard for La Salle

Right after Steve Zack won the opening tip to start La Salle's 63-50 beatdown of George Washington, Amar Stukes drove down the right side of the lane and tried to go up with his right hand. He lost the ball, which hit off his leg, and the possession was over.

That is exactly what La Salle needs from Stukes.

No, not the turnover. Dr. John Giannini can surely live without empty possessions. The Explorers need Stukes to be aggressive, and he has been much more so of late.

The redshirt freshman out of La Salle College High School just up the road from 20th and Olney has taken his game to the next level, and his coaches are noticing. He has started the last two games for the Explorers at point guard, replacing Khalid Lewis. He has played 30 minutes in each of those two games, averaging 10 points.

"A lot of it has to do with being in the gym with the guys but I am definitely feeling more confident attacking the rim and shooting the ball," Stukes said after the George Washington win.

The decision to sit Stukes out his first year was the vision when he committed, and La Salle stuck with it. The 6-foot-2 guard got bigger, stronger and adjusted to the life of a college athlete before he ever laced up in game. He was able to take advantage of the academic and athletic support that Division I schools offer to athletes, as well as learn from guards such as Tyreek Duren and Sam Mills.

"The biggest jump that every player makes, by far, is the 12 months from the time they step on campus to entering that next season," Giannini said. "When I spell out the amount of support there are for Division I athletes, the amount of attention in terms of skill and strength and the sheer level of competition they play, they get dramatically better. It's not even close."

"It was so valuable," Stukes said. "I really can't explain how much bigger and stronger I got. It was a great idea for me."

The great idea is finally paying off. Stukes has been infinitely more aggressive attacking the hoop. He is finding the lanes to drive and kick to his teammates, or put up the floater with a soft touch that he was hesitant to do even three weeks ago.

"Everyone [has been] yelling at him to be more aggressive," Giannini said. "We all believe in him. We all love him and think he is very talented. We need scoring threats on the floor. He was extremely hesitant for an awfully long time, but he wants to win and he likes his teammates and coaches."

"It's dramatically different," Giannini added. "When you have a guy that won't shoot, you are really playing four on five. That's a problem. If you are having a pickup game and say 'we only need four to play your five', that's a problem. Every player needs to be a treat, especially when you are as talented and as creative as Amar is."

Stukes has found his confidence in not only the urgings of his coaching staff, but actually playing basketball. Of the guard unit made up of transfers Jordan Price and Cleon Roberts, along with Stukes, none had played for a year prior to November.

"I feel more comfortable playing with the guys," Stukes said. "I hadn't played a game in a whole entire year so I was a little rusty coming out. Now I am feeling more comfortable with the offense, Coach G, and I'm just feeling better out there."

His offense has improved, but the best part of the way he is playing right now is his defense. He forced a handful of turnovers against the Colonials on Saturday, including a few five-second calls, which are a rarity in today's game.

"He's really good defensively," Giannini said. "We knew it last year. I wish I could elaborate on it. He gives great effort. He is laterally quick. He is longer than you would think and he is a tough kid. He has every ingredient necessary to be a terrific defender."

"I try to pressure the ball as much as I can to disrupt the offense and get the point guard rushing so they can't really run their offense," Stukes said of his defense.

When opponents can't run their offense against La Salle, it usually turns out well for the Explorers' offense, as it did Saturday.