By Ashley Trosper
Senior guard Taquan Dean still makes time to shoot thousands of practice shots in the gym on a regular basis, even if it is just by himself now.
In the past, this was a custom he shared with teammate and best friend Francisco Garcia. However, since Garcia jumped into the NBA after their junior season, Dean remains the lone senior on the Cardinal basketball roster.
But the Red Bank, N.J., native hasn’t hesitated from accepting primary leadership responsibility for the Cards.
“I still come in here alone and get thousands of shots up,” Dean said. “It’s important that the young guys see me doing that.”
Dean’s extra work has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff. “You don’t usually say this about a senior, but Taquan is probably the most improved player from the summertime to now,” said Head Coach Rick Pitino. “He’s made the most improvement of anyone on the team.”
“After the season I went back to New Jersey with Francisco and trained,” Dean said. “We did three-a-days with basketball and weight training. I wanted to work on my individual skills. I needed to work on things as far as my mid-range jumper. Everyone says I am just a spot-up shooter so I have to show them I’m not.”
Dean’s determination to improve every day has earned him a prime spot on a team that has already reached the Final Four.
“He is a scorer who leads by example. He is a quiet leader, but the hardest worker on the team,” Pitino said.
The senior plans on showing the younger players what it takes to get to that level, and he won’t settle there – Dean is determined to bring home a national championship in his last season at U of L. In his attempts to be both a great leader and a great player, Dean has even been known to run sprints at practice wearing a 50-pound weighted vest.
“I’ve always been a lead-by-example kind of guy,” Dean said. “I want to show the younger players that you can always do more. I think it’s important. Guys see me doing stuff like that and they know what it takes to get to the Final Four.”
It is no wonder that Dean’s favorite player is former NBA standout Larry Bird. “His work ethic was amazing,” he said.
Dean is extremely healthy and injury-free for the first time in his career. He has battled mononucleosis and strained muscles, but seems to be in top condition according to Pitino. Ultimately, Dean is ready to lead U of L to not only another successful season, but eventually another run at the Big Dance.
Fellow teammates notice and admire the senior’s determination to be successful. “Taquan. That guy is incredible. He’s been to the Final Four and has so much experience,” said freshman point guard Andre McGee. “He’s always showing me stuff out on the court to make me a better player.”
With an experienced Dean at the helm, the young Cardinal team has an extremely strong and determined leader to follow.
“Taquan is a terrific basketball player,” Pitino said. “Garcia’s All American banner is getting ready to be put up in a few weeks, and I fully expect Taquan Dean to be right next to him.”
