By Whitney Spencer
Senior point guard Edgar Sosa was here when the University of Louisville was a sixth-seed in the NCAA tournament. He was a freshman starting point guard, who was doing his best impression of a magic show for fans in Rupp Arena, back in March of 2007. Sosa was also here as the starting point guard when Louisville earned its first ever Big East regular season and tournament title, in 2009, and when they achieved the No. 1 ranking going into the NCAA tournament. In his final year as a Cardinal, the once-troubled point guard, who wasn’t sure if he’d make it four years under head coach Rick Pitino, is now responsible for guiding the newest Cardinal guard to success.
“Edgar brings great leadership qualities to this team,” said freshman point guard Peyton Siva. “He is an offense threat, and he can do anything he wants to do on the court.”
Sosa and Siva are similar in many ways. Both players have the ability to bring a crowd of fans in Freedom Hall to their feet in an instant. This past January, after the team squandered away a lead in the game against the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Sosa took the ball the length of the floor and launched a 3-point field goal from well behind the 3-point line, to put the dagger in the hearts of the Wildcats.
Siva, in only his second game in the Cardinal uniform, brought the fans to their feet, not once, but twice, in the exhibition against Bellarmine University. First, he showed his athleticism by leaping to block the shot of a Bellarmine player. Then he followed up by cleaning up the missed layup of senior guard Jerry Smith, with a reverse dunk, to send chills and excitement throughout the entire crowd at Freedom Hall.
“The first time I ever saw him play was in the McDonald’s All-American game,” said Sosa. “He just played great. I think he had one great move that was a 360 layup, and I was just amazed.”
Both players can amaze a crowd of people with the skills they possess on the floor. Sosa has never been one to disappoint, with his clutch 3-pointers and his twisting layups in traffic. Siva has impressed fans with his knowledge of players on the floor, as he dishes no-look passes from the top of the key with ease.
“Peyton is by far one of the most intelligent freshman I’ve played with,” said junior guard Preston Knowles.
Sosa and Siva not only impress the fans, but they have had a lasting impression on one another.
“The first time I saw Edgar play basketball was on TV against Texas A & M,” said Siva. “He went off, and had 31 points. Edgar had so much spunk and so much swag to him. It was great watching him play.”
As his career winds down here at the University of Louisville, Sosa has one final opportunity to lead his team deep into the NCAA tournament. This team is looking to get over their brick wall that has kept them from advancing past the Elite Eight. Competing against each other in practice every day is one way that these two point guards are preparing to help move this team forward.
“Edgar has been playing great,” said head coach Rick Pitino. “I want fans to know this isn’t the same Edgar.”
In a sport where having the best guards tends to lead to a longer season, the Cards have a backcourt, including Smith and junior guard Preston Knowles, that can be considered one of the most experienced. Sosa, at the starting point guard position, holds the responsibility to help Siva learn the ropes. Sosa is confident Siva will be ready to take over the position next year.
“I think the point guard position will be locked down,” said Sosa. “The school’s basketball team is going to be in great hands, because they have a great point guard. He is going to have a wonderful career. Wherever I am next year, I am going to be excited to watch him.”
Since his arrival here, Siva has been adjusting to a new life and he has been given plenty of opportunities to learn his new hometown. From those opportunities has come a bond with Sosa.
“On the court, I learned a lot about the plays and the style of play,” said Siva. “Off the court, he’s been like a big brother to me. I call him my big brother. He’s taken me under his wing.”
These two unique guards who play the same position will learn much more as the season moves forward. These two guards with so many similarities will continue to please Cardinal fans, with athleticism and skill. Pushing each other to work harder, and inspiring one another to get better, these two guards will undoubtedly be key to Cardinal success.
