“You may not have the most talent, but I guarantee you won’t outwork me.” Undoubtedly, many have heard this sports adage, but Old Dominion University forward Nick Wright adds a real meaning to the phrase.
The 6-feet-8-inch redshirt junior from Suffolk, Virginia is an energetic player for ODU and is enjoying success with the Monarchs this season.
Playing any type of sport for Old Dominion comes with high standards, and Wright certainly understands that.
“It means to be a hard worker and determined,” Wright said. “On the court, in the classroom, even out in the community. It’s just the atmosphere, both school and sports.” Wright has played well throughout the year and is a big reason why the Monarchs are in the heated race atop the Colonial Athletic Association standings.
He posted a career game against the University of Vermont, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a winning effort. He prides his game on effort and hustle.
“I’ve always been the energy guy to work hard up and down the floor, block shots and grab rebounds,” Wright said. “But this year, me being one of the older guys, I have to be more of a role model even on and off the court.”
Old Dominion head coach Blaine Taylor was complimentary of his young player as well. “He’s gotten much stronger, more mature, and his improved play over the weeks has been a theme for us.”
Wright has had to wait and learn behind some great players during his time at ODU such as Frank Hassell and Gerald Lee and was able to gain knowledge from those great team players. ”They were great leaders on the court, and also in school,” Wright said. “They graduated when they were supposed to, some of them two degrees, and kept us young guys heads leveled.”
ODU is a school with rich tradition in basketball and its players have always shown quality and excellence on the court as well as off it.
Wright acknowledges that in order to take his game to new heights, there are some things that he needs to accomplish first. “I need to get stronger,” Wright said. With a frame such as his, it’s only a matter of time before he fills out and becomes an even more dominant force in the paint for the Monarchs.
Basketball is a sport heavily driven by emotions and how one handles these emotions can ultimately determine success or failure in the sport. Wright uses several things as his motivation to become the best player he can be. “I want to be successful myself, but by playing at home, I feel like I got family, friends, even the fans, which feels like family. They look at us so much and that motivates me a whole lot,” Wright said.
The Monarch atmosphere certainly serves as a distinct advantage for ODU as they boast one of the best home crowds in the entire country. “That’s what motivates me, the atmosphere,” Wright said.
Because Wright was redshirted, he has one year of eligibility left, but he is already looking forward to the future. “Hopefully I can play professional basketball somewhere,” Wright said. ”If not, I have a major in industrial technology. If basketball doesn’t work, I’ll go ahead and further my education.”
“Never settle for less.” This is a phrase used by many and one that Wright says the coaching staff at Old Dominion has instilled in him.
“Times that you think you can’t go anymore, they have pushed our team to doing things we never thought possible, such as winning the championship two years in a row,” Wright said. A powerful lesson that all can learn from. Wright seems to be headed in the right direction as he continues to be a leader on his basketball team and in life.
By: Jordan Jones
Staff Writer
photo: Elaina Ellis
