Freshman Point Guard Thrives at Pepperdine

A year ago, Shaun Davis was beginning his senior season as the point guard at San Diego’s Lincoln High.

Now, Davis is playing a high-profile role at Pepperdine and making a smooth transition to major college basketball. The Waves have won only one of their first four games but the freshman is averaging 14 points and six assists while looking like a seasoned veteran.

Among his most impressive statistics are 67% shooting and a 3-1 assist-turnover ratio. Davis has made 18 of his last 21 shots. “I’ve been getting a lot of playing time and I just want to win and play my best,” he said. “My teammates have done a real good job of helping me along.”

Coach Paul Westphal was sold on the 5-foot-11 guard after watching him in a high school game.

“He was playing against another guy and he got right up on him,” Westphal said. “The guy went to his right and Shaun cut him off. The guy then went the other direction and he was right there. He’s just so quick.”

About the only thing Davis hasn’t mastered is free-throw shooting. He’s at 47.6% from the line. Otherwise ...

“I’m real impressed with the way he’s playing,” guard Terrance Johnson said. “He took right to his role as a starter.”

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Damian Martin was a key recruit for Loyola Marymount and the freshman has played a key part in the Lions’ first 4-0 start in 27 years. Martin, who captained Australia’s national under-20 team at the world junior championships, has emerged as a valuable reserve.

“Damo gives us such great energy and enthusiasm,” Coach Steve Aggers said. “He still has a lot to learn but he plays so doggone hard. He simply makes other guys better.”

Big West Conference

Bobby Brown is another freshman point guard making an impression. Brown, who played on two state championship teams at Westchester High, scored 16 points in Cal State Fullerton’s loss to Sacramento State on Saturday and followed that with a career-high 22 in Monday’s win over Pepperdine.

Coach Bob Burton said Brown hadn’t supplanted senior Zakee Smith as the starting point guard. Yet.

“I don’t know if he’s going to be our point guard or not,” Burton said. “We’re going to need both of those guys for us to be good. He’s only a freshman and he had a great game [against Pepperdine] but he’s still got a lot to learn.”

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Cal State Northridge has lost Eto Onyenegecha, at least temporarily, to academic ineligibility. Onyenegecha, a 6-6 junior forward projected to be a key reserve, could be cleared for the Dec. 19 game at Utah.

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After playing much of his UC Riverside career at point guard, senior Kevin Butler is flourishing as a shooting guard-small forward. Butler is averaging 15 points and playing with more confidence.

His success, though, hasn’t translated to the rest of the team. The Highlanders, who play UCLA tonight at Pauley Pavilion, are 0-3.