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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Trey Drechsel
2/26/2019 10:56:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Transfer proved he belongs at Division I level
Trey Drechsel grew late to reach 6 feet 6 inches while at Western Washington, his home for his first four collegiate years.
He grew up at Grand Canyon, where he is playing his final college regular-season home games this week.
Drechsel thrived in Washington as the Player of the Year in the state's smallest high school class and, following a redshirt year, for three Division II seasons at a campus near home.
Moving away to Phoenix and moving up to Division I made Drechsel mature on and off the court more than ever. In the process, Drechsel proved what he believed all along: He belongs in Division I.
"It's been a lot of challenges that I didn't expect, but it's also what I signed up for," Drechsel said. "I wanted to push myself basketball-wise and as a person. It's been all that and more. It's been fun.
"I always knew I had it in me. I think I showed a lot of maturity in that I'll be OK with whatever I do in life. This has been one of the biggest challenges I've ever faced."
Drechsel worked tirelessly since arriving at GCU last summer with a playbook to learn and a new level to reach. He acclimated to the point that he has logged the second most minutes on the team (25.6 per game) and is the Lopes' fifth-leading scorer (8.3 points per game) and second-leading playmaker (2.7 assists per game).
When GCU head coach Dan Majerle challenged him to help the team on the boards more, Drechsel responded and became the team's leading rebounder (5.3 per game) even though he's a guard. He also ranks second in the WAC for defensive rebounds per game (5.8) during conference play.
"Very tough, hard-nosed, dedicated," Majerle said of Drechsel. "He has worked his butt off. One thing that really impressed me about Trey was, when we talked about rebounding, he dedicated himself and became one of the best rebounders in the WAC from the guard position. He has struggled with his shot but has continued to play hard. He's been a great addition."
Drechsel dedicated himself to individual workouts outside practice and broke that shooting slump, hitting 3 of 6 shots from 3-point range in the past two games as he adapts to a key sixth-man role.
"My favorite part has been my teammates," Drechsel said. "I've made a lot of great friends and relationships that would be even stronger in time. But in a year, I've created some really solid relationships.
"I'm just thankful for the year I've been able to have. The whole experience is so different than my last school. Game day is way different. It's a lot more serious. That's what I wanted for my last year."
GCU has become home to Drechsel so much that he plans to stay in Phoenix past graduation if he does not play professionally.
In the meantime, the sentimentality of his collegiate career concluding is setting in on him. There is a final road trip and the postseason to come, but Wednesday's and Saturday's games mark his final ones at GCU Arena.
"It'll be an experience like no other," Drechsel said of home games and the Havocs. "I thought I'd get used to it, but it's the same butterflies every time I go out and play."
Drechsel proved that he belonged from the beginning, when he made his Division I debut with a 17-point game at South Dakota State. His finest game was a 15-point, 14-rebound effort in a home win against Seattle, where he will return next week for the regular-season finale.
"I'm very happy with the way he has played, the way he has represented us and how hard he plays," Majerle said. "That was a great get for us. He's done a tremendous job. He's a Division I player. There's no question about it."
First of four Senior Spotlights on the GCU men's basketball seniors who are playing their final home games this week.
Today: Trey Drechsel
Wednesday: Michael Finke
Thursday: Matt Jackson
Friday: Gerard Martin
He grew up at Grand Canyon, where he is playing his final college regular-season home games this week.
Drechsel thrived in Washington as the Player of the Year in the state's smallest high school class and, following a redshirt year, for three Division II seasons at a campus near home.
Moving away to Phoenix and moving up to Division I made Drechsel mature on and off the court more than ever. In the process, Drechsel proved what he believed all along: He belongs in Division I.
"It's been a lot of challenges that I didn't expect, but it's also what I signed up for," Drechsel said. "I wanted to push myself basketball-wise and as a person. It's been all that and more. It's been fun.
"I always knew I had it in me. I think I showed a lot of maturity in that I'll be OK with whatever I do in life. This has been one of the biggest challenges I've ever faced."
Drechsel worked tirelessly since arriving at GCU last summer with a playbook to learn and a new level to reach. He acclimated to the point that he has logged the second most minutes on the team (25.6 per game) and is the Lopes' fifth-leading scorer (8.3 points per game) and second-leading playmaker (2.7 assists per game).
When GCU head coach Dan Majerle challenged him to help the team on the boards more, Drechsel responded and became the team's leading rebounder (5.3 per game) even though he's a guard. He also ranks second in the WAC for defensive rebounds per game (5.8) during conference play.
"Very tough, hard-nosed, dedicated," Majerle said of Drechsel. "He has worked his butt off. One thing that really impressed me about Trey was, when we talked about rebounding, he dedicated himself and became one of the best rebounders in the WAC from the guard position. He has struggled with his shot but has continued to play hard. He's been a great addition."
Drechsel dedicated himself to individual workouts outside practice and broke that shooting slump, hitting 3 of 6 shots from 3-point range in the past two games as he adapts to a key sixth-man role.
"My favorite part has been my teammates," Drechsel said. "I've made a lot of great friends and relationships that would be even stronger in time. But in a year, I've created some really solid relationships.
"I'm just thankful for the year I've been able to have. The whole experience is so different than my last school. Game day is way different. It's a lot more serious. That's what I wanted for my last year."
GCU has become home to Drechsel so much that he plans to stay in Phoenix past graduation if he does not play professionally.
In the meantime, the sentimentality of his collegiate career concluding is setting in on him. There is a final road trip and the postseason to come, but Wednesday's and Saturday's games mark his final ones at GCU Arena.
"It'll be an experience like no other," Drechsel said of home games and the Havocs. "I thought I'd get used to it, but it's the same butterflies every time I go out and play."
Drechsel proved that he belonged from the beginning, when he made his Division I debut with a 17-point game at South Dakota State. His finest game was a 15-point, 14-rebound effort in a home win against Seattle, where he will return next week for the regular-season finale.
"I'm very happy with the way he has played, the way he has represented us and how hard he plays," Majerle said. "That was a great get for us. He's done a tremendous job. He's a Division I player. There's no question about it."
First of four Senior Spotlights on the GCU men's basketball seniors who are playing their final home games this week.
Today: Trey Drechsel
Wednesday: Michael Finke
Thursday: Matt Jackson
Friday: Gerard Martin
Players Mentioned
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