George Washington University Athletics
Setting the Foundation
3/2/2020 3:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Seniors have embraced change in final season
To begin one of his first workouts leading GW men's basketball back in the spring, head coach Jamion Christian sent the Colonials to the free throw line.
Nothing out of the ordinary there. Except that the exercise was as much about practicing the high-fives that came after each attempt as it was about the shot itself.
A staunch believer in the Power of Touch, the veteran coach would make sure that the Colonials were intentional about taking advantage of every opportunity to lift each other up.
Months later, the memory sticks out for Adam Mitola. It was a clear message that the small details would make the difference as the Buff and Blue looked to build a bright future under Christian, and as a senior, he wanted to do his part to make that happen.
"I think it was exciting for all of us," Mitola said. "Coach Christian brought in such a different culture than what we've been used to, and he set roles pretty early. For the seniors, he wanted us to be an extension of the coaches and lead that way."
The senior class of Mitola, Armel Potter, Luke Sasser, Arnaldo Toro and Justin Williams has embraced that charge throughout their first season under Christian.
They've made an effort to put the team first and help the talented first-year group continue to grow. From Potter who is enjoying a career season with a team-leading 14.5 points per game to Sasser who has played a total of nine minutes across seven games, all of them have found their own ways to push the program forward.
Heading into Wednesday's Senior Night matchup vs. Fordham at Smith Center, that buy-in has made a difference for the Colonials every step of the way, according to Christian.
"It's everything," Christian said. "These guys are at the end of their careers. They didn't have to accept me. They didn't have to accept what we're trying to do. They had a choice, and these guys have chosen from day one to stay here and try to make GW better. To be great teammates, to be great champions of what we want to be in the future.
"When we hang that first banner up, I'll look back at these guys for the work that they were able to do. I feel like they've done a great job of helping to establish a foundation, especially with the younger guys."
The seniors make a diverse group: Potter has emerged as one of the top point guards in the Atlantic 10 in his final season, while Toro has shaken off injury to once again be a productive front-court contributor.
Williams is a matchup nightmare who's returned from injury to reclaim a role in the rotation, Mitola is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship through his hard work and Christian calls Sasser, the consummate teammate with an enthusiasm that's infectious.
Right away, Christian and those seniors found common ground. The new coach came in ready to hit the ground rolling, and the veterans had no time to waste.
Christian discovered the group to be passionate, fun-loving and focused - the kind of people he wants to build his program around.
They were eager to accept change from a coach who laid out his coaching philosophy succinctly in his introductory press conference: Love is Accountability and Accountability is Love.
"It's been amazing," Williams said. "He's very uplifting. He puts a lot of confidence in his players, and that means a lot."
The excited-to-lead seniors have also been a good match with the eager-to-learn first-years. They take their roles seriously with most of the lessons dispensed behind the scenes.
Back in the fall, Williams remembers testing Jameer Nelson, Jr. by asking if he'd be up for getting some extra work in. Every time, the first-year guard was ready to go. Usually, they'd find another newcomer or two already in the gym getting shots up.
Sidelined for two months by injury this season, Williams became a coach on the sideline, whether that was dispensing on-court wisdom or advice for navigating the balance between the court and the classroom. A systems engineering major who led the squad in +/- a year ago, the Maryland native provides a fine role model for all-around excellence.
When Nelson recently asked to be held more accountable for his defense at practice, Sasser took on the job. The senior from North Carolina has been there to call out his mistakes with defensive rotations and talk through the corrections.
Ultimately, the youngsters' openness to accept that sort of feedback and build on it has been key to the Colonials' continued progression through the A-10 slate.
"In a couple of years, it's going to be crazy here," Sasser said. "They're so good right now, but they just need a little bit more growth and maturity and they're going to be amazing to watch."
It's made for an enjoyable season for the tight-knit group of seniors.
Mitola, Potter, Sasser, Toro and Williams have relished the fun times, such as the November trip to the Bahamas and the post-road win milkshake stops. Through the tough moments, they've helped keep the Colonials positive and moving forward to the next challenge.
As they gear up for their final Smith Center appearance, Saturday's huge opportunity at No. 3 Dayton and then one last run at an A-10 Tournament title, Mitola believes his class will be leaving the program in a good place.
"This is just the start," Mitola said. "We're building the foundation for many years to come. I'll definitely follow the program, hopefully still be around, come to practices whenever I can. I'm just excited about the direction of this program."
