Talented 'Ir
Important 1
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By DREXEL B. BALL
Sports Information Director
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? It was two
a * ^ ^ *
weeks oeiore tne start or the season
when junior college transfer Juan
Lanauze drew tremendous praise from
veteran North Carolina A&T basketball
Coach Don Corbett.
"He has a lot of ability, both offensively
and defensively," Corett said of
the 6-9, 222-pounder from Ponce,
Puerto Rico. "I think he'll be looked
up as A&T's best center when he
graduates."
Tor Corbett to make such a gaudy
assessment of a player who had never
played in a regular season game for the
Aggies was strictly out of character for
the veteran Aggie mentor.
But Lanauze is the type of player
who elicits that kind _of praise. The
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Lanauze has played a major role in the
team's 4-1 start and successful defense
nf thp titlf in the Miller/Aggie Classic.
Lanauze is averaging 13.3 joints and
7.7 rebounds a game, his highest scoring
production of 21 points coming
against Jackson State Dec. J2. In a
game against North Carolina State, he
was matched up against pre-season All*
~ ACC candidate Thurl Bailey. He
scored 18 points.
In the Miller/Aggie Classic, Lanauze
put together back-to-back doublefigure
scoring efforts. He had 11 points
and 12 rebounds in a 63-60 win over
Elizabeth City on opening night. He
came back with 16 points and 12 rebounds
in the championship game in
which the Aggies overwhelmed Livingstone
89-70.
"I have been playing okay, but I
know I can play better,** said Lanauze,
who came to A&T via Carl Albert
Junior College of Poteau, Okla. "I'm
looking forward to having two good
years here at A&T."
A basketball critic might consider
Corbett and A&T lucky in the recruitment
of Lanauze. The Aggie coach had
never heard of the towering Puerto
Rican until he was contacted by an
A&T alumnus.
"1 went to a friend's house to watch
the NCAA finals and he told me about
A&T's program/' explained Lanauze.
"1 was already looking for a Division I
school to attend. After talking with
Coach Corbett, I decided A&T was the
place for me."
"Coach Corbett didn't come on with
unrealistic promises. He was sincere
and 1 was immediately sold on A&T,"
.. Lanauze added.
After completing his high school
career, Lanauze attended Dowling College
in Oakdale, Long Island, for one
. ? - --
year, tnen movea on to carl Albert.
During one season at Carl Albert, he
Pmq* 16-Winston-Salem Chronicle. Thur*
tiport'
oA&T
averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds a .i
game.
Lanauze is a well-traveled collegian, {
having played four years in a Puerto j
Kican summer league which took him c
to China, Mexico and the Dominican
Republic to demonstrate his athletic
talent.
"1 have had lots of experience playing
international basketball," said
Lanauze, who is the hub of the Aggies'
veteran frontcourt which also features
6-8 junior Joe Binion and 6-7 senior
Antoine Collins. "1 enjoy playing in
the United States, especially here at
A&T.
"I feel as though I'm home. We play
in front of nice crowds and I'm used to
that. 1 am real pleased with the fan
support we have received this season.
The students and alumni are real
basketball fans and they are very
knowledgeable about the game."
This will be Lanauze's first trip
through the nigged MEAC wars, but
he feels the Aggies will successfully
repeat as conference champions and
earn a berth in the NCAA Tourna
mcni.
"There is a lot of talent on the
team," said Lanauze. "Everyone plays
hard and we should repeat as~champions.
1 just hope we start looking inside
more because I think we can take
advantage of things to come, Lanauze
appears well on his way to collecting a
passel of awards before his eligibility
expires.
"Awards and individual honors are
not important to me," Lanauze said.
"I just want to help the team achieve
its goal and contribute to a successful
program. If I make a contribution, I'm
certain I will get recognized."
Perhaps no one is more pleased with
the presence of Lanauze than Binion.
Binion led the Aggies in both major
categories last season, averaging 19
points and nine rebounds a game. But
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much pressure off Binion.
No longer can opponents doubleteam
Binion because they can't survive
with Lanauze roaming free under the
basket.
"Juan has added another dimension
to our team," said Binion. "I think I
will profit by his presence. I think we
complement each other well. When
teams try to concentrate on stopping
me, they also must contend with
Juan."
Lanauze has also blocked 13 shots inry
four games.
"He is definitely going to get
better," said Corbett. "He has given
every sign of becoming among the top
* ^ . - -
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Jay, January 20, 1983 5555B55SBB55B
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TO STUDENTS
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