Print date: Dec. 22, 2013

Nevada’s inexperienced 6-11 forward to
continue to play as West readies for debut

At any given moment, Lucas Stivrins can glance over his shoulder and Kyle Sammons will be there.

Even if he’s not there physically, Stivrins can still see him. It hasn’t approached seeing-him-in-my-dreams stage yet, but it’s getting close.

“He keeps track of me every day,� Stivrins, Nevada’s 6-foot-11, mostly skin-and-bones sophomore forward said, referring to Sammons, the former Wolf Pack wide receiver turned strength and conditioning coach.

“He texts me and says, ‘What are you eating?’ Sometimes I have to send him a photo of my meal. He says, ‘Good, eat more. Eat more veggies.’�

Stivrins, who grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., and played his freshman year at Pratt (Kan.) Community College before joining the Wolf Pack in the offseason, might be all arms and legs now, but he’s on a fast-track plan to bulk up in an effort to become a force inside.

Part of that plan is a 4,000-calorie-per-day diet that includes weight-gain shakes.

Nevada’s Lucas Stivrins, left, battles for position against Omaha’s John Karhoff during their game at Lawlor Events Center on Dec. 14. (Tom Smedes/Special to the RGJ)

“(Sammons will) make me come down to his office and sit down,� Stivrins said, a wry smile indicating that he’s fully on board with the plan. “I bring my shake. It gives me an extra 500, 600 calories in one drink.�

As for the 4,000-calorie goal, Stivrins said he’s a little hit and miss.

“Sometimes I hit that. Sometimes I fall short,� he said. “But I’ve got to keep doing it every day.�

In a perfect world, coach David Carter said, Stivrins would have been redshirted this season. But injuries and the ineligibility of 6-9 junior forward A.J. West, who was cleared to play last week and is expected to make his debut today against Iona, have forced Carter’s hand.

Stivrins averaged five minutes per game over his first eight games, and then made his first start in the Wolf Pack’s last game, an 82-80 loss at Nebraska-Omaha on Dec. 14. He led the team with six rebounds and added two points and three assists against Omaha. He is listed as the probable starter today.

And although West is ready to go and senior forward Ali Fall is back after having missed two games with a sprained ankle, Stivrins is going to get his minutes. It only makes sense now. He can’t take his redshirt year, so you might as well get him as much experience as possible.

“He plays hard,� Carter said. “He’s very active. I want him to be a little more smarter defensively. He has long arms. I think he’ll be able to change shots, not necessarily block them, but be in position to alter shots. Offensively, just relax and let the game come to him. And I think he will. I think he was a little excited for starting his first time. I think this time he’ll be a little bit more relaxed.�

He’s got more than just Carter and Sammons in his corner. Stivrins’ father, Alex, played at Creighton and Colorado before spending a few years in the NBA in the 1980s.

“We talk quite a bit after games,� said Lucas, whose dad is a financial adviser in the Phoenix area. “He tells me what I should have done on certain plays and whatnot. He’s impressed with my play so far. He wants to see me keep growing, keep developing. He says, ‘Stay confident.’�

So far, Alex and the family have seen Lucas on TV or the Internet. Lucas hopes they’ll be able to come to a game later in the season.

Lucas’ mother, Claire, is a British citizen, which allows Lucas to have dual citizenship. He played for the Under-18 England National Team in the FIBA European Championships this summer. England won a bronze medal. He called it a great experience and hopes to continue to play for English national teams.

Until then, his job is to get better every day, rebound, alter shots, keep polishing his already above-average offensive game and keep hitting the floor with an uncommon tenacity. Oh, and power down high-protein shakes. So far, so good.

“When I came in here, I’ve improved so much,� said Stivrins, who arrived at 200 pounds, is at 215 and would ideally like to get to 240. “I’ve gained weight. I’ve gained strength. When I came in here, I could barely do two push-ups. Now I can do a lot. My touch is better. I’m getting more confident down low.�

THE FILE ON LUCAS STIVRINS

HEIGHT, WEIGHT: 6-11, 215

YEAR: Sophomore

POSITION: Forward

HIGH SCHOOL: North Pointe Prep, Phoenix

ETCETERA: Played one season at Pratt (Kans.) Community College before signing with Nevada; father, Alex, played in the NBA and professionally overseas for 11 seasons; mother, Claire, is a British citizen; played for the Under-18 England National Team this summer, winning a bronze medal in the FIBA European Championships; earned his first Division I start in the Wolf Pack’s 82-80 loss to Omaha, where he led the team in rebounds with six.

WOLF PACK BASKETBALL

WHO: Iona (5-4) vs. Nevada (4-7)

WHERE: Lawlor Events Center (capacity, 11,536)

WHEN: Today, 1:05 p.m.

TV/RADIO: None/94.5 FM (12:30 p.m. pregame)

INTERNET: NevadaWolfPack.com (follow links to men’s basketball schedule)

BETTING LINE: Iona is favored by 1 1/2

TICKETS: $14-$150 (youth, seniors: $11), NevadaWolfPack.com/tickets

ALL-TIME SERIES: Iona leads 1-0

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