Meet the Transfers: SMC’s Aaron Bright
By Simon Tryzna
February 16, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Aaron Bright (2) looks to pass the ball as UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) looks on in the first half at the Maples Pavilion. The Bruins defeated the Cardinal 88-80. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
With no true heir to follow the line of Patty Mills, Mickey McConnell, Matthew Dellavedova, and Stephen Holt, Randy Bennett has -at least on paper – handed the reigns to his team to incoming transfer Aaron Bright who after sitting out the majority of the past season. The former Stanford floor general will look to lead the Gaels back into the NCAA Tournament.
Time at Stanford:
Bright’s time at Stanford ended suddenly when he dislocated his right shoulder during a Thanksgiving Day practice.
His career at Palo Alto will be remembered by the majestic run to the 2012 NIT Title where Bright earned tournament MVP. He concluded his 2011-2012 season averaging 11.7 points per game and 3.7 assists per game.
While averaging more minutes the following year, Bright’s ppg fell to 9.3 and apg fell to 3.4. In seven games this past season (which makes him elegible for a medical redshirt), Bright averaged only 5.9 points per game to go along with 2.3 assists in just 19.3 minutes.
Impact at Saint Mary’s:
While it’s going to be hard to replicate Stephen Holt’s numbers (15.2 points per game, 3.9 assists, 37.5 minutes per game), Bright will be a strong part of a guard rotation that includes transfer Joe Coleman, senior Kerry Carter, and possibly Calvin Hermanson (I say possibly in that he could be a SF or a 3-guard instead of the typical PG/SG).
While down the stretch last year the Gaels primarily played a rotation of Holt, McCoy, Walker, Carter, expect to see Bright, Coleman, Carter, Hermanson, and even Emmett Naar contribute. If Bright can go 25 minutes per game with 10.2 points per game and – in my eyes the most important number to hit – 4.0 assists per game, then the Gaels will have a top notch point guard in 2014-2015.