EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Just a few years ago, the University of Evansville struck gold in Colorado as Denver native Kyle Freeland turned into a top 10 pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft.  Now, another Colorado native hopes to make his mark with the Purple Aces as Will Becker is set to begin his freshman season on the men's basketball team.

Becker is a product of Aurora, Colo., which is a suburb of Denver and is roughly 20 minutes from downtown.  When he made his way to Evansville earlier in the summer, it was his first time being away from home for an extended period of time.  As Becker explains, it is a moment he has been thinking about for a long time.

"I have been in Colorado my whole life and have been around a big city from day one," he explained.  "I have always wanted to come to a smaller town where it is calmer and mellow and provides the opportunity to meet more people.  Coming from a big city environment, UE was a good fit for me and my family also agreed."

The 6-9 forward enjoyed a solid high school career and was surrounded by a great deal of Division I talent and takes pride in the success that his teammates are enjoying following their high school careers.  

"Our whole starting five last year will be playing at the DI level," Becker said.  "We all had a lot of interest from that level and are looking at their options.  Our first and second guys off the bench are also playing in college at the Division II level in California."

Becker was almost what you would call a "late bloomer" as his stock really started to rise following the completion of his time in high school.  His big moment came at the Terrific 24 tournament in Indianapolis.  Taking place in late April, it was a chance for him to showcase his skills in front of some of the top coaches in the country.

"Before the tournament, things were a little slower for me and I was looking at my options.  After that event, a lot of colleges started talking to me, including at the Power 5 level."

After averaging 9.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as a senior at Smoky Hill, Becker turned heads with a 20-point, 18-rebound and 5-block outing in Indianapolis.  He attributed that success to one huge factor – confidence.

"I was lucky enough to play with a pair of teammates from high school in the Terrific 24 tournament; I was really comfortable with them and they really helped me out," he said.  "They really helped to show off my skills.  My coach was also very helpful, he has worked with me since I started playing basketball and he made me who I am today."

"I knew I had all of the skills to help in the offensive game, I just needed the confidence.  That weekend gave me the confidence I needed.  If I am wide open, just shoot the ball.  If I am not open, make the extra pass and help the team."

It is that kind of attitude that helped him draw interest from the highest levels of the college game.  It also helped his confidence even more.

"That showed me what I am actually capable of, having them contact me about my game really opened my eyes up and showed that I can play at that level.  It opened doors for me and gave me more confidence."

Following the tournament, Becker took his official visit to Evansville and committed soon after.  

"I knew that I liked it the minute I got out here," he exclaimed.  "After the visit, I wanted to go home and make sure this was where I wanted to play basketball and get a good education and it was a very easy decision."

His high school squad played an up and down game where scoring in transition was a focus.  As Becker explained it, whoever grabbed a rebound passed it ahead and looked for the quick score.  He said that the system being implemented by Coach Walter McCarty is similar and really plays on his strengths.

"Being 6-foot-9, I can move really well for my size and get up and down the floor well.  My specialty has always been defense, I have really good timing on the ball – blocking shots and rebounding" Becker said.  "This past season, I have been working on my offensive game, developing a jump shot and getting better at handling the ball.  My passing has also gotten better, Coach McCarty always tells me good pass.  I see things that others do not see."

McCarty and his staff have been pivotal in helping Becker grow in just a few short weeks in Evansville

"They are definitely making sure that I get stronger in the weight room, which is a key for me.  I can guard the bigger guys as I get stronger, but I also want to make sure that I still stay agile so I can guard perimeter guys too," Becker explained.  "Coach McCarty has been very helpful in working on my shot.  I was shooting during a workout and he told me exactly what was wrong with my shot.  I started practicing what he said and my shot is getting better.  He can see things that I cannot."

Becker is also getting acclimated to his teammates and how they operate. 

"At first, the coaches got us comfortable but now they are putting it more on us and trying to get us ready," he said.  "It is the whole team, whoever gets the rebound, we have the ability to dribble and set up in a play instead of always having to pass it to a guard.  If any guard sees something they don't like, they tell us right away.  We help each other out and make each other better."
 

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