Napier and Boatright Embracing Teaching Roles

Everyday in practice, and for 24 minutes per game, Napier was watching, studying and occasionally imitating Walker, often at his own detriment. As Walker’s UConn career ended and the reins were passed to Napier, it became obvious that the blueprint wasn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Napier tried to forcibly insert himself into a leadership role to fill the void Walker had left. His teammates never quite bought in, and the squad famously underachieved — losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Like Napier, It took Walker until his junior season to fully combine his leadership with his talents. Walker’s unprecedented success was borne from an overwhelming work load, playing over 37 minutes per game, and scoring the most points in a season (965) in UConn history.

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When Napier began to fully harness his abilities last season, his talents manifested themselves much differently. While still handling the scoring load (17.1 ppg), Napier also became very aware of his on-court impact on his teammates. It took him the better part of three seasons, but Napier had figured out how to apply the lessons he learned from Walker and put them to use within his own unique set of on-court talents. He currently leads the Huskies in scoring, rebounding and assists and is the unquestioned leader of the team.

“I try to do what’s best and what I learned was to lead by actions. Kemba did that tremendously,” said Napier. “He took care of me ever since I walked into the door, so I want to do the same thing. Hopefully I’m doing that.”

Napier is also keenly aware of the tradition the point guard role holds in UConn history. It would be hard not to be. After playing alongside Walker, Napier is now coached by two of the most successful point guards from the program’s past. Head coach Kevin Ollie was never a star for the Huskies, but was a starter and a leader during UConn’s rise to national prominence — playing alongside both Donyell Marshall and Ray Allen. Assistant coach Ricky Moore was the starting point guard on UConn’s first national championship team — playing alongside Allen and Rip Hamilton. The lineage is hard to escape.

Napier feels a responsibility to continue that legacy, and in doing so, has taken a personal stake in the development of his friend and backcourt-mate Ryan Boatright as their careers have progressed.

Boatright, now a junior, was always an eager student, and is learning that the craft of a point guard takes place both on and off the court. While his game has improved, Boatright now joins Napier in their effort to prepare their future successors — namely freshman guard Terrence Samuel and redshirt transfer Rodney Purvis.

“I learn something new from them like everyday,” said Samuel. “[I’ve been] learning how to play the point guard position, how to play pick and roll D. Basically, everything.”

While Samuel hasn’t seen much court time this season, his elder teammates are supportive. “He’s playing good,” said Boatright. “He’s not trying to force it. He’s doing a good job handling the ball. And he’s learning. What [Samuel] doesn’t know, he asks. He’s coachable. He’s a good student of the game. Anything he doesn’t know, he asks me and Shabazz and we help him out.”

Purvis has been given a different perspective. After a year at NC State, the transfer is being forced to sit out this season. He is using the opportunity to learn about basketball, and about leadership. “Ryan is a lead-by-example type of guy,” said Purvis. “And Shabazz is a really talkative person. He just loves to help. He’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around.”

Napier and Boatright’s caring approach, and the open arms of Ollie and his assistants, have created a noticeably familial atmosphere around the program. Something not lost on Purvis. “Different people accept guys different ways. I never expected them to be as level-headed as they are, and two really passionate guys who love the game of basketball,” he said. “I’m learning from them everyday.”

Part of that education involves tradition, and a lineage that every guard on the roster is very much aware of, and eager to continue.

Assistant coach Karl Hobbs. Tate George. Chris Smith. Doron Sheffer. Kevin Ollie. Ricky Moore. Khalid El-Amin. Taliek Brown. Marcus Williams. AJ Price. Kemba Walker. Shabazz Napier. Ryan Boatright.

“It’s an honor to be next in line with that group of names,” said Purvis. “UConn only gets the best point guards. It’s an honor for me and Terrence.”

“It’s always fun to be mentioned with those names,” said Boatright. “To have your chance to leave your mark on this program is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

As UConn continues their season, aimed at another national championship, their two leaders, their starting backcourt, refuse to look at their individual places in UConn history. Asked if he wanted to record a triple-double, Boatright said it didn’t matter to him. He just wanted to win. Asked if he was aware of his climb up the career assist leaderboard, Napier said no. He just wanted to win. Yet both guards are seemingly aware of the ticking clock of their college careers. Napier will be gone after this season — a graduate. Boatright may follow him out the door, hoping for an early shot at an NBA career. But both men are sure that their contributions at UConn will live on in the guards that replace them, just as they proudly carry the torch passed by Walker and Ollie.

“I understand that this is a tradition, “ said Napier. “I don’t want to leave this school in bad hands, because I didn’t take care of them. Hopefully I’m doing that, and hopefully years down the line, Terrence and Rodney will just tear it up, knowing they can. To be a part of that is tremendous. It’s something special.”