To those who know him, Dayshawn Wright is quiet. He says only what he needs to and nothing more.

To those who coach him, that’s just fine.

Though Wright speaks softly, he and fellow freshman Josh Wright (no relation) are trying to make a big impact on a Syracuse men’s basketball team filled with experience.

‘I’m not nervous,’ Dayshawn Wright said. ‘I’m real excited to get a chance to play. I’m working hard in practice to do whatever it takes to get on the court.’

Dayshawn Wright’s AAU coach Jim Hart remembers the 17-year-old kid who was assigned the impossible task of guarding Connecticut forward Charlie Villanueva – then a possible NBA lottery pick out of high school.

As the seconds counted down in the first half of a championship game in a summer tournament, Villanueva finished with a thunderous dunk, followed by a glare into Dayshawn Wright’s eyes.

‘Dayshawn came over to the bench and said, ‘Get me the ball this half,” Hart said. ‘I was like, ‘Did he just speak?’

‘I don’t think he said a word his whole first year with us.’

Dayshawn Wright would finish the game with 18 points and seven dunks while making sure Villanueva was the quiet one in the second half.

By comparison, Josh Wright seems loud and boisterous. He speaks with confidence and conviction – the traits you want from a point guard. Since leaving Utica Proctor High School last spring, he has been doing everything to prepare himself for this season.

‘He’s ready to come in and play right away,’ senior Hakim Warrick said. ‘He’s stronger, faster and quicker. Playing AAU, the transition won’t be as tough. And an experienced team should help him in his progress.’

Josh Wright’s lightning-quick passing and flashy scoring ability will help him stand out. He’ll be in competition for the starting point guard position with an experienced backcourt of Louie McCroskey, Josh Pace and Gerry McNamara. Not to mention a possible Billy Edelin return.

‘You’ve got to work for everything,’ Josh Wright said. ‘That’s the way I look at it. In the classroom and on the court, my work ethic never changes.

‘I don’t come here to work behind any of these guys – no disrespect to any players on the team – but I feel I can compete at any level.’

Josh Wright spent six weeks this summer at SU taking classes. He and Dayshawn Wright played in the Empire State Games in Binghamton for the Central team along with centers Terrence Roberts and Matt Gorman.

Josh Wright’s 47-point outburst in a surprise overtime win against the New York City team was the top highlight for the Central team this summer. Filling in for an injured Roberts, Dayshawn Wright had 15 points in the game.

Conditioning workouts started Sept. 7, and everything is going well – so far – for the two freshmen trying to crack an already strong eight-man rotation.

‘I think the fans are more nervous than I am,’ Josh Wright said. ‘I’m as confident as I’ll ever be. The place that I play changes, but my game never changes.’

OK to play

Louie McCroskey’s sophomore season didn’t start off the way he wanted it to.

While working out earlier this month, McCroskey dropped weights on his right hand, causing a cut that required stitches. After walking around campus last week with the hand wrapped up, he returned to practice Tuesday and participated in all team conditioning drills.

Administrative assistant Allen Griffin said McCroskey’s injury was nothing major and that he will have the stitches out soon, allowing him to scrimmage.

Sophomore Terrence Roberts, who severely sprained his left ankle in July’s Empire State Games, has been at conditioning workouts but took some time out of Tuesday’s drills as he noticeably limped off the court. He returned a few minutes later, though, and continued in wind sprints.

Filling the roster

After losing four players on last year’s team to graduation, the basketball team is trying to fill the roster this fall.

Two walk-ons are currently working out with the team and open tryouts will be held Saturday, Oct. 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Manley Field House. Any student with a valid SUID, sneakers and shorts can show up.

Griffin said the two walk-ons already with the team do not necessarily have roster spots locked up.

‘We liked (Logan Gabriel and Todd Burach) last year,’ Griffin said. ‘We just didn’t have roster spots open for them. More than likely, they will be with the team this year.’

Five players from last year’s team are not on this year’s roster. Although he was listed as a senior last year, Josh Brooks stayed on this fall as he has one year of eligibility remaining while he takes graduate classes.

If Gabriel and Burach make the team, there could potentially be one spot open, barring Edelin’s return.

Published on September 14, 2004 at 12:00 pm