Junior guard showcases improvement from last season

Photo Courtesy of FIU Athletics

By Brett Shweky/Sports Director

 

Junior guard Eric Lockett is one of the few players to return to the men’s basketball roster for the 2017-18 season, and is primed to make a significant impact.

After five players departed from the program last year, the Panthers were in need of a player would could provide leadership and also fill the glaring holes on the roster.

Lockett explained that he can help his team in a multitude of ways and does whatever the team asks of him game-by-game.

“I just do what I can do for my team every night,” said the junior. “I’ll do whatever needs to be done. I try to go out there and do it, whether it’s scoring, rebounding, defending, or passing the ball.”

The 6-5 guard started in 13 games for the Panthers last year, however contributed in all 31 games for the team. As a sophomore, he was sixth on the team in scoring with a 5.1 points-per-game average and was also second on the team in total assists with 75.

So far this season, Lockett is leading the team in scoring with a 16 points-per-game average, a notable increase from last year. Also, he has had a major impact on the team’s rebounding this year, averaging 6.8 rebounds-per-game.

In the first game of the season, the Panthers managed to defeat Florida Memorial in a lopsided victory, 70-47. Lockett finished the game with 10 points, six rebounds, and six steals.

Locket discussed how great it felt to start the year off with a win, after last season’s 7-24 record.

“It feels really good to win, because we did a lot of losing last year. I’m not trying to saying anything about last year honestly. I’m just happy that we were able to start the year off with a win,” said Lockett.

The junior from Warner Robins, Georgia explained that the biggest difference from last season to this season is the presence throughout the entire team.

“I feel like it’s a whole different atmosphere,” said Lockett. “From the locker room to practices, everybody is working hard, everybody wants win, everybody is on the same page. There’s no individualism on the team, we’re all on the same track just trying to win.”

His best performance to date this season was against the University of Milwaukee on Nov. 18, where he dropped 23 points, this most in his FIU career. Lockett shot 9 of 15 and also added three rebounds.

Before attending FIU, he attended high school at Whitefield Academy in Mableton, Georgia. As a senior, he averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. This led to him being named All-Region Player of the Year and also a All-State honoree.

The next game for FIU will be against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Nov. 27 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

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