Photo: GoBonnies
BY NATHAN SOLOMON, MANAGING EDITOR
As a freshman, Kyrell Luc flashed his potential as a college point guard. He’s 5’11” — traditionally undersized — but that doesn’t seem to stop him.
After scoring 13 points per game and winning Patriot League Rookie of the Year with Holy Cross, Luc entered the transfer portal looking to take a step up. He settled with St. Bonaventure University, fresh off a trip to the semifinals of the National Invitational Tournament.
For Luc, the decision to come to Bonaventure was clear.
“Everything felt genuine my first time coming up to campus,” Luc said during a media call last week. “Everyone knows each other and just feeling welcomed on my visit … That’s what told me that this was a good spot for me.”
Luc, a point guard, started 31 games for Holy Cross last season, scoring in double figures all but seven times. He averaged over two assists and nearly four rebounds in a season where the Crusaders went 9-22.
While Holy Cross didn’t have the success Luc wanted, he grew his game and developed into an experienced college guard.
“Knowing when to go, when to slow it down,” Luc said. “Being able to talk to your coaches, to your mentor, just to see how to really go about a game, really understand how to play as a point guard. There’s so many things that come with it. Not just only scoring — you have to get your teammates involved.”
Luc is one of 10 newcomers to Bonaventure after the squad lost all five starters from the season before. He comes into a program where he’ll have a large role and lofty expectations.
“He’s going to be a really good player,” coach Mark Schmidt said. “The point guard position is the most difficult position to play in our system. He’s the quarterback. He needs to know where everybody is. He’s a really smart kid.”
Luc has embraced that, both on and off the court. He’s helped build connections with his new teammates as the Bonnies have learned and developed their identity with the season on the horizon.
And that started this summer. When the new-look-Bonnies came to campus for summer practices, Luc said he clicked with his teammates immediately.
“We all met each other and gelled right away,” Luc said. “Right now, we’re putting it all together and can see improvement in practice.”
Joining Luc in the backcourt this season will be Daryl Banks lll, a transfer from Saint Peters.
“We’re really close,” Banks said of his relationship with Luc. “Kyrell is an amazing player. I love playing with him. He’s a great person on the court, off the court … he’s small but he probably — definitely jumps the highest on the team.”
solomonj20@bonaventure.edu
