National Left-Handed Day, WCC Style
By Josh Horton
Mar 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward/center
Sam Dowershoots during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
It is national lefty day, and left-handed people throughout the world have been highlighted and celebrated for being a part of a select percentage of people. Studies suggest that 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population is left-handed, so naturally the United States thought it would be a good idea to tribute the lucky few and create a national holiday.
While I personally am not left-handed, I have a deep appreciation for lefties. The world as we know it is tailor made for righties, giving lefties a disadvantage right off the bat. However, it all equals out, as left-handed athletes usually have a distinct advantage in their respective sports.
Though left-handed basketball players are not given as much of an advantage as, say, a baseball player, lefties are harder to prepare for on the defensive end of the court because of their atypical movements. Plus, a shot looks much smoother coming out of the hand of a lefty opposed to a righty
With that being said, here is a look at all of the players in the West Coast Conference that are blessed to be left-handed.
Derksen has been a force off the bench for the USF Dons for years, and his left-handed stroke has elevated the Dons shooting in several games.
Although Dower has graduated, his left-handed stroke will remain in WCC lore.
Chase Foster
Foster has not stepped foot on the hilltop quite yet, but his left-handed stroke is expected to make USF Dons fans excited for the future.
Nate Gehring
Expect this southpaw freshman to run the floor and serve as an energy player for the Waves.
The Cougar fans became accustomed to this lefty’s silky smooth release last season in Provo.
Calvin Hermanson
Hermanson redshirted at Saint Mary’s last season, but this lefty is expected to make a huge impact in his first season of college eligibility.
Karnowski is famous for his lefty hook shot, something that the Gonzaga community has become quite accustomed to in his two years in Spokane.
This sharpshooting lefty shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range as a sophomore, and is expected to make a similar impact for the Toreros as a junior.
Kratch is another left-handed big man that loves to step out and knock down mid-range jumpers and 3-point bombs. See a pattern here?
Shawn Olden
Olden, a freshman guard at Pepperdine, is a lefty with a clean, left-handed shooting motion.
Domantas Sabonis
This incoming freshman at Gonzaga, the son of Arvydas Sabonis, is taking his game and his left-handedness to Spokane to play for the Bulldogs.
Tollefsen is a big man with a feathery 3-point shot that can throw down unbelievable dunks as well, left-handed of course.
Zubizarreta is a crafty lefty point guard with good size. He has a chance to be the Pilots back up point guard this season.