University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior Leadership, Part 2
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
When senior Gopher guard Al Nolen's days of playing basketball one day come to an end, he may have to consider a career in law enforcement. The name of Nolen's game is theft, and in his first three years as a Golden Gopher he has earned the reputation as one of the best defenders in the conference and in the country.
In each of the past two seasons, Nolen has ripped 64 steals and has totaled 171 for his career. With just 45 additional steals in his upcoming senior year, Nolen will become the all-time steals leader in Golden Gopher history passing Gopher great Melvin Newbern (1988 - 1990). Nolen is also sitting in third all-time for the Gophers in assists per game at 4.1, and if he pulls that dish rate up to 4.6 he will leave the program ranked second all-time in that category. Nolen's impressive numbers may not be where they are today if it weren't for the leadership of Coach Tubby Smith.
"Coach [Smith] has given me a lot of knowledge since I have been here from day one. He has put a lot of pressure on me and is investing a lot in me. From watching him being a vocal person, it has helped me being the point-guard as I have to be more vocal."
For Nolen, Coach Smith's leadership is not just a one-way street going from coach to player. As only one of two seniors on this year's squad, Nolen is well aware of his leadership role and how he influences the underclassmen.
"Coach Smith is a very vocal person and a teacher, and I also have to teach the younger guys on the court. [Freshman] Maverick [Ahanmisi], for example, I am currently taking him under my wing and teaching him the game and how it is going to go. Coach [Smith] has just taught me a lot just by being who he is."
Coach Smith's infectious leadership was perhaps no more evident than last season throughout a course of formidable off-court adversities facing the team. Nolen has been forced to mature not only as a player but also as a leader, and can today reflect on those adversities on how the team has come together to overcome such obstacles.
"I think once we went through those adversities it really brought the team together a lot more. With the Trevor [Mbakwe] situation, we all kind of rallied around him and I think it really created a strong environment between all of the teammates. I think it really is going to help strengthen and bring in the younger guys who look up to us, and we are taking them under our wing and I think it will really improve team camaraderie."
Nolen's individual play and statistics will most certainly be preserved in the Gopher's record books for years to come. And while losing only a few contributors from last year's squad and bringing in promising newcomers and freshmen, senior guard Al Nolen and his Golden Gopher teammates have a real chance of achieving their goals of winning the Big Ten and reaching the Final Four.
For more on his legacy in the record books and what excites him most about the upcoming season, be sure to check out Al's video above.
