May 1, 2009
Trotter nabs a scholarship
The Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with the saying "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." As a unintended companion piece, Thomas Jefferson offered "I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Former Lakeshow baller, ex-Campolindo High star and now Stanford Cardinal basketballer Jack Trotter is a remarkable example of these adages as indicated by his moving from preferred walk-on status to scholarshipped player for the 2009-2010 Stanford basketball season.
Perseverance pays off for Trotter
The scholarship revelation came in a fairly matter-of-fact manner to Trotter. It appeared during a post-season meeting with his coaches. "We were talking about plans for the summer and next season and in the middle of this I was told I would be on scholarship next year," Trotter said. "It didn’t sink in right afterwards." After the get-together, when he had time to actually think about it was when the reality set in.
Trotter saw action in 21 games -- 6+ minutes a contest -- during the 2008-2009 season and, although it’s difficult to extrapolate from limited playing time, he shot 40% from the floor, 82% from the foul line and has a 6-3 assists-to-turnovers numbers.
There are two other sophomores-to-be checking in at 6-10 on the Cardinal roster but each played less than Trotter last season. 6-foot-8 junior-to-be Josh Owens also returns plus Coach Johnny Dawkins is bringing in 6-9 Santa Clara transfer Andrew Zimmerman. 6-foot-10 Will Paul will be academically ineligible next season.
Trotter was offered by St. Mary’s and UC Davis as a Campolindo senior and member of Joe Fuca’s Lakeshow squad. But then he was informed of his acceptance into Stanford, a school his family had been associated with for some time and that clinched it for him. But being ’shipped was never a guarantee. "I was told ’do your best and we’ll see how things work out.’"
He sees his current basketball strengths as "my play defensively and scoring when I’m getting my looks." As for what he is working on to improve, Trotter said, "my footspeed and quickness as well as developing my outside game."
Asked about the primary differences between high school and college basketball, Trotter said, "the level of physicality and the speed of the game."
So now it’s a lot of working out and hitting the weights for the 6-foot-9, 210 pounder, a readying for the competition that lies ahead.. But one thing is already absolutely certain: Trotter’s wallet will be thicker in 2009-2010 or maybe we should say those of his parents.