‘He’s been watching over him’: Erik Stevenson still motivated by his late grandfather
There was an empty seat in the section for player’s families behind the Wichita State bench for Saturday’s game against Mississippi at Koch Arena.
Ron Wilson, the grandfather of WSU sophomore Erik Stevenson, was supposed to be sitting next to four other members of Stevenson’s family, all decked out in black-and-yellow gear complete with custom-made hats proudly stating their membership in the No. 10 Fan Club.
But Wilson passed away in November before he could see Stevenson become the scorer he always knew he could be. In fact, Wilson’s final text message to Stevenson read: “Keep throwing up the threes. They’re going to fall.”
On Saturday in a 74-54 win over Mississippi, they fell more than they ever have for Stevenson at Wichita State in a career-best performance of 29 points, including five three-pointers. To top it off? His grandfather’s sister, Sylvia LaShaw, was there to see exactly the type of performance her brother always wanted for Erik.
“Grandpa has been watching over him,” said LaShaw, clutching a blown-up picture of her nephew. “Grandpa has got a front row seat, and he’s taking care of all of us.”
LaShaw and three other family members from Washington made the trip to watch the Shockers play twice this week. Stevenson responded by scoring a team-high 17 points and tying his career-bests in rebounds (nine) and steals (five), then followed that up with his career-best scoring game.
In such a difficult time for the family, Stevenson’s play has been a bright spot. Stevenson continues to lead WSU in scoring with his average up to 14.1 points per game now and the 6-foot-3 sophomore has arguably been the Shockers’ best overall player this season.
“It’s been amazing,” LaShaw said. “I wish we could just stay. Cancel our airplane ticket home (Sunday) and just stay and continue to watch it.
“Wichita has been wonderful supporting Erik and supporting all of us. We very much appreciated that. It’s been a hard couple of months.”
Stevenson was at his best on Saturday, as he found his shooting touch early in the game and continued to drill important jumpers throughout the game.
For a player who struggled with his shooting accuracy as a freshman (Stevenson made just 28 percent of his three-pointers) and was off to a slow shooting start this season, Stevenson has found his confidence lately. Since his grandfather’s text message, Stevenson is shooting 39.2 percent on three-pointers.
“Erik had one of those special days,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “The better the team, the more heated the game is, the more intense the game is, the better he plays,” Marshall added. “He loves playing against good teams and good players.”
Not only was Stevenson fueled by his family in the stands, but he also agreed that he’s the type of player who gets more excited for the bigger games and opponents.
“It felt really good,” Stevenson said, smiling. “Felt like high school again.
“When we play these bigger, more athletic, better teams, you’ve got to bring your top game or you’re not going to have a good game. So when we play these teams, that adrenaline gets flowing.”
It didn’t matter where Stevenson was on the court — from the wing, up top or in the corner — or whether Stevenson was coming off a screen, catching and shooting, creating his own look off the dribble or pulling up in transition. It seemed like whatever Stevenson threw up on Saturday was falling.
Not even a cut that required five stitches during the game could stop him.
Stevenson returned shortly after the injury and the first time he touched the ball on offense, took a pass in stride and canned a fade-away jumper over the defender.
“I knew right when I shot it, it was going in,” Stevenson said. “I was just happy they didn’t tape my wrist up too tight.”
Stevenson’s previous career-high was 22 points, which he has achieved twice already this season. Teammates knew that it was just a matter of time before Stevenson caught fire in a game like that.
“He has confidence at all times, regardless if he’s making or missing shots,” WSU sophomore Jamarius Burton said. “Today he was making shots and when you’re doing that, your confidence goes up and the rim gets even bigger. He was helping our ball club on the defensive end and rebounding and getting steals. He was just doing it all out there.”
For Stevenson and his family, there are plenty more memories to come this season.
But there’s no doubt that Saturday’s memory will be one that is treasured maybe even more than any of the others.
“It’s such an honor to be here and to watch him play,” LaShaw said. “He’s just a fun kid. I call him a kid still, a 20-year-old kid full of life, full of energy. He really adored his grandpa.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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