By By Drew Buono
Loren Stokes wears number one on his jersey, and that symbolizes his importance to the Blue & Gold’s basketball team.
The junior guard from Buffalo, N.Y. has been a standout since his first game over two years ago. Teachers and teammates describe him as outgoing and friendly, but in sports you one bad game can change all of that.
Stokes had what is considered his worst game in college in the Pride’s season opener against Florida International. He had four points and shot just 1 for 6 from the field. What was worse was the fact that Stokes had broken his nose in practice in the week leading up to the game. After the game, it was evident from his responses and his demeanor that he was having a rough week.
But really, all athletes have rough weeks once in a while.
Stokes spoke about his normal week during basketball season by saying that, “We practice two hours a day, five days a week and we make our school schedules around our practice schedule.”
He is enrolled in New College where he has decided to major in business.
“I would like to own a food business one day if my basketball career doesn’t work out,” he said. “I go to class every day except Wednesday and am enrolled in 16 credits this semester.”
The team usually practices from 11:30 to 1:30, breaking up the day for Stokes’ school schedule. He takes one class in the morning and the rest in the afternoon after practice is over. It’s something Stokes has grown accustomed to during his career here at the university.
“I love basketball and would do anything to play,” he said.
His love for basketball is undeniable and winning is just as important. Stokes dreams of winning the CAA tournament and taking the Pride back to the NCAA tournament.
“I want to win a ring and watch as they raise that banner declaring us champions.”
That was one of the reasons why Stokes chose the Pride as the team he wanted to play for, with the other being the family camaraderie between the players and coaches. “It’s a family unit between all of us,” he said.
Head coach Tom Pecora even has some of the kids who live far away come to his home for Thanksgiving dinner just so family unit is preserved. Stokes will have memories beyond Thanksgiving dinners when his collegiate career is over.
One of Stokes’ best college memories so far was winning a game in the CAA Tournament-last year’s quarterfinal game against Drexel University. In that game Stokes had a career-high 31 points as the Pride won, 89-77. With all the awards and personal accolades he has picked up, his best memory is his team winning a game, which tells a lot about the kind of person Stokes is. He still dreams of one day making the pros and playing basketball for his favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
In sports, you cannot let one bad game get to you, because you then find yourself spiraling downward. Stokes has learned this lesson a long time ago and the proof is the team high 13 points he scored in the Blue & Gold’s game against Notre Dame.
“We all work towards a common goal, and that goal is to win every game.”