Blacksher's game, voice grow together

Thursday, Jan. 11 \| 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| GCU Arena

	ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS (11-4, 2-2 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (12-2, 3-0 WAC)

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Once Grand Canyon basketball practice ends, the Lopes staff disperses into different areas of the GCU Basketball Facility's courts and offices.

The coaches are asked independently about what quality in Jovan Blacksher Jr. is most striking about his impactful improvement for this season's 12-2 team.

"It'll probably be the same for all the coaches, honestly," Lopes assistant coach Casey Shaw answers first. "It's his leadership."

Across the court, assistant coach Jamall Walker said, "It's his voice and command of the team with the way he talks to guys."

Over by the bench, strength and conditioning coach Jordan Jackson said, "I've seen his leadership improve, encouraging teammates, talking, helping the younger guys."

At a table next door, director of player development Ryne Lightfoot said, "The vocalness, how he approaches every day, his attention to detail, driving our culture and being part of our leadership. He's an extension of the coaching staff."

Upstairs in his office, assistant coach Ed Schilling said, "He's always been a great leader by example, but his leadership from a verbal standpoint has gone to another level."

And the ultimate confirmation comes in the hallway, where head coach Bryce Drew said, "Leadership. He's a lot more vocal. He understands our system so he knows it and teaches other players."

But even the subject matter knows this.

"Leadership," Blacksher said. "I've always been a leader in other ways. I wasn't always the loudest. I did mine behind the scenes. I feel like I took a big leap in leadership this year as far as talking, my mindset, getting guys going and knowing that I can start the spark."

The numbers also tell the story of Blacksher's ascension as a third-year starter entering a conference homestand with fellow NCAA tournament team Abilene Christian visiting Thursday and an ESPNU game against Tarleton on Saturday

After averaging 11.3 points and shooting 30% from 3-point range in his first two seasons, the junior is averaging 16.8 points and making 43% of his 3-point tries this season.

Blacksher is one of four players in the nation averaging at least 16 points, four assists and two steals per game. The others are Seattle U's Darrion Trammell and Washington's Terrell Brown and Hofstra's Zach Cooks, a pair of fifth-year graduate transfers.

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

"I just went into a different mindset with my work ethic over the summer," Blacksher said. "I want us to win so I expect that from other guys to bring their best. Yeah, Coach is going to be hard on us. Do you want him to coach us soft? We're not going to win like that."

Blacksher's perimeter shooting improvement is a significant difference-maker for GCU by itself. The addition of Holland Woods II in the backcourt has allowed Blacksher to spot up for shots, but he also is shooting better off the bounce with compact, consistent mechanics.

But as a point guard on a team with four new starters, the leadership was needed and noticed most.

"He's always been really competitive, but his competitiveness now goes along with his leadership," Drew said. "It shows his maturity and growth while being at Grand Canyon. It's cool to see."

Blacksher was surrounded by veterans in his first two seasons and played with a quiet cool. At 5 feet 11 and 165 pounds, he has a presence without being a bellowing, chattering voice.

He counsels youngsters, especially freshman guard Jalen Blackmon, with pointers and encouragement. When he is not scrimmaging, he walks the practice sidelines and gives directives like a coach. In games, he gathers teammates to talk on dead balls to deliver what Drew might.

"He's taken ownership and made it a more player-led program and spearheaded that," Walker said. "It's something that has become a part of him. It's the sweat equity when you help establish a program. He takes a lot of pride in being at GCU and he's taking my ownership in how we do things and holding ourselves to a higher standard."

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

Upon meeting this Lopes coaching staff when it came aboard in 2020, Blacksher told them that he wanted to leave a legacy at GCU. He already helped see to that with being the WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player when the Lopes secured their first NCAA Division I tournament bid.

But that was just the first half of his collegiate career.

"He's been an unbelievable leader," Shaw said. "He holds guys accountable. He is so coachable. He does everything we ask him without saying boo. That type of leadership is contagious to everybody. He's our best player but Coach can coach him. When you have that, you have something special."

Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) | GCU Arena

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Players Mentioned

Jalen Blackmon

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

Holland Woods II

Grand Canyon University Athletics