The Sun Comes Out; Sophomore guard Steve Esselink

No athlete likes to sit on the bench when the game is on the line. Not being able to contribute in clutch situations can be extremely frustrating for a player. Every redshirt, walk-on or injured player can testify to that. The smartest athletes in these situations are those who take advantage of their alternative game perspective and learn the more mental aspects of their given sport. Sophomore forward Steve "Sunshine" Esselink was forced to sit out all of last season, and, this season, is ready to show fans, teammates, coaches and opponents what he has learned.

After transferring from Division II Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., just outside his home in Hills, Minn., Esselink was forced to sit out the 2000-01 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. Last season's squad had only nine scholarship players on board, and, late in the season, that number was decreased to seven after injuries to former Golden Gopher forward John-Blair Bickerstaff and current sophomore teammate Michael Bauer. The Gophers were in need of bodies and additional talent in order to practice five-on-five. Esselink was one of six walk-ons, but he was the only one ineligible to compete. Many players might not give it their all, or sit back and take it easy. Not Esselink. He took advantage of the opportunity, prepared himself for this season and is ready to add another outside threat to the Golden Gopher offensive arsenal. Esselink provides the Maroon and Gold with hustle and a consistent outside shot. But unlike some wing players who camp outside the three-point arc, Esselink is not afraid to take it hard to the basket.

"My role is to come in and provide a spark off the bench, maybe hit an open shot," Esselink said. "I just have to get out there and compete."

Upon his arrival to Gold Country, Esselink was quickly given a nickname by former Golden Gopher Terrance Simmons. Simmons forever called him `Sunshine' for his similar looks to the golden-locked Kip Pardue character in the powerful movie, `Remember the Titans'. The nickname does not bother Esselink at all. He hopes to be the one with the last laugh when it is all said and done.

Esselink also was able to use all of last season to continue to learn how to move without the ball. At Hills-Beaver Creek High School, Esselink was the team's all-state point-guard. Once he arrived at Augustana he was switched to off-guard and small forward. Upon arriving to Gold Country, the Golden Gopher coaching staff decided to keep him on the wing and use his outside shooting to stretch defenses. With the addition of more height and greater inside post talent, Esselink's outside shooting ability causes defenses to make a choice whether to take the punishment inside or give the Hills, Minn. assassin an open look.

Coming from Division II and now playing at the Division I level in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, Esselink recognizes the night-and-day difference between his two collegiate playing experiences.

"It's like (going) from high school to college," Esselink says of Big Ten and Division I basketball. "It's a whole different level. It's not even comparable."

In order for him to hold his own in practice and in games, Esselink has worked diligently on his defensive skills.

"My defensive skills were what I needed to improve on most," Esselink said. "I've gotten a lot better. I can still get better at one-on-one, but right now I'm just trying to get into the right position. If I can be in the right spots, I can really make a difference."

Esselink was predominantly a scout team player last year but also used his offseason to improve his already stellar shooting.

"I think I became a lot better with catch-and-shoot," Esselink said. "I had to go against J.B. (former Golden Gopher John-Blair Bickerstaff) last year and his defense was really good. He made me learn the little secrets of how to find openings in the offense."

Esselink acknowledges the added responsibility with the expectations he receives from the coaches and those that he creates for himself. Prior to the start of the season, junior guard Shane Schilling decided to leave the program and transfer to another school at the end of the fall semester.

Schilling's departure was a sad one for teammates, coaches and fans alike, but it also provided an opportunity for Esselink to show everyone what he is capable of doing.

"When Shane transferred, that was tough," Esselink said. "I miss Shane. He's a good guy, but it provided more opportunity for me. I'm going to go out and play like I always would have."

Esselink is the only walk-on used in Head Coach Dan Monson's regular rotation. Many fans probably are unaware that Esselink is paying his way through school and not on scholarship. Senior Dusty Rychart is one example of a former walk-on that worked his way into the lineup and eventually was awarded a full scholarship. The possibility of earning a scholarship has enabled Esselink to work even harder.

"I love to play, but it would be really rewarding," Esselink said. "That's a goal that I have set for myself to do."

During games last year when Esselink was unable to contribute on the court, he watched other players and how they ran the team's offenses and defenses in many different situations. He got a chance to see how the defense is run as a unit and how each individual player executed his role in the given scheme. He was also another set of eyes on the court for his teammates who may not have been able to see every single detail of each given play. The knowledge he obtained while watching has helped him in his own game situations and he's applied that to what he has learned game after game. This season, Esselink is averaging over 10 minutes a game and is fourth on the team in three-point field-goal percentage. As he continues to get more comfortable on the floor, fans can expect to see more of Steve Esselink.

Esselink has utilized his teammates, past and current, as resources as to how to play Big Ten basketball and how to represent the University with pride. Bickerstaff was one of his greatest influences. He was one of the greatest leaders in Golden Gopher basketball history and Esselink was able to watch and learn from him.

"I'd watch guys like J.B. and the way they prepared for the game, and how they conducted themselves on and off the court," Esselink said. "I try to do the same things they do."

Some of Esselink's fondest memories include playing against former-Gopher Terrance Simmons. Simmons was a great offensive player. It was a challenge for Esselink to go up against him, but he had the confidence where he knew he could score on Simmons if he worked hard enough.

"I liked telling Terrance that he couldn't guard me because he'd almost always foul me when I went up for a shot," Esselink reminisces. "But he got me plenty of times, too. He's a great player."

The Golden Gopher Big Ten season is barely underway and Esselink is playing in just his third Big Ten game ever. After practicing against some talented teammates and playing some tough non-conference foes, he's finally on the big stage he dreamt of playing on when he was a kid. Many youngsters aspire to reach this level of collegiate basketball, yet so few ever get to experience it. Esselink's brightest days are yet to come and you can be sure that he will work hard and continue to shine.

Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Andrew Wamugi No athlete likes to sit on the bench when the game is on the line. Not being able to contribute in clutch situations can be extremely frustrating for a player. Every redshirt, walk-on or injured player can testify to that. The smartest athletes in these situations are those who take advantage of their alternative game perspective and learn the more mental aspects of their given sport. Sophomore forward Steve "Sunshine" Esselink was forced to sit out all of last season, and, this season, is ready to show fans, teammates, coaches and opponents what he has learned.