Athlete of the Week

Emma Carmichael Staff Writer

The Vassar College men’s basketball team is currently enjoying its most successful season since it joined the competitive Liberty League a few seasons back, largely due to the outstanding play of forward Lawrence Avitabile ’08. The Junior co-captain has been named the Liberty League “Forward of the Week” four times this season alone, and he currently sits atop the League statistically, ranking first in rebounding, third in scoring, second in blocked shots, and fourth in assists. While the Brewers lost in overtime to League-leading St. Lawrence 83-81 last Saturday, Feb. 3, Avitabile had 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.

Avitabile has been repeatedly recognized for his dominance on the basketball court. As a freshman he became the first Brewer basketball player to be named Liberty League “Rookie of the Year,” and as a sophomore was named to the League’s Second Team. He is a likely candidate for the First Team this season, another first for Vassar.

Thirteen-year Head Coach Mike Dutton called Avitabile one of his most impressive players. “[Avitabile] was an impact freshman [2004-2005 season] as primarily a post player,” said Dutton. “He has developed his ball handling, outside shooting, and free throw shooting over [his] three years here. His shot selection and knowledge of the game has helped him improve his field goal percentage.”

Dutton points to Avitabile’s “ability to score in a variety of ways: shot blocking, athleticism and running the floor” as key elements to his success. Avitabile routinely converts impossible-looking shots with apparent ease on the fast break and can outleap most of his opponents, leading to advantages in rebounding and shot blocking. He pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds and six blocks in a Jan. 27 victory over Hobart College, the program’s first-ever win against the Statesmen.

With five games remaining in his junior year season, Avitabile is already amongst all-time leaders for Vassar basketball in various categories. He is second overall in career points per game (14.4), holds the two highest single-season field goal percentages, and is second overall in total blocks.

“[Avitabile] has been asked to lead as well as play at a high level. [He] has a special position in that he will most likely be a three-year captain, which is pretty rare. He is a quiet leader, one that leads by example on the floor,” praised Dutton. “[Avitabile] is also a great person with [an] unassuming character, [he’s] a pleasure to coach and to be around as a teammate.”

Avitabile and the Brewers hope to regroup this weekend after three straight losses by six points or less. They play at third-place Union College this Friday and at Skidmore College on Saturday.