Player Highlight: Taleh Wade, Men’s Basketball

Men's basketball are a few weeks away from hosting the ACAC Championship at Lakeland College and are going to need the continued excellence of their soft-spoken leading scorer.

Fourth year transfer Taleh Wade has already left his mark on the Rustlers program, consistently hovering amongst the league's leaders in points-per-game since the start of the season (currently third at 20.6). The combo guard from North Little Rock Arkansas said his efficiency comes from allowing the game come to him, rather than forcing things, but added he likes passing the ball.

"It might not seem like it, because scoring comes naturally, but I don't think about shooting or attacking the defender," Wade said. "I'm looking to see where my teammates are open."

"He's not just forcing up a bunch of shots to get his points," Coach Sheray Thomas said. "He's unselfish and wiling to give up the ball, a similar quality with the guys on our team. I think that's why we've had success."

That approach to the offensive side of the ball has helped make his transition to Lakeland ball a smooth one, with a team full of players capable of scoring, but willing to play within the team concept. Wade played at Algonquin University to his stop in the Border City and after Thomas had tried to recruit of friend of his in Arkansas, the veteran guard was drawn to the possibility of playing for a team pursuing a championship.

"I knew I wanted to come back to Canada and the older guys have helped make me feel like I'm part of a family," Wade said. "It's a good mix of younger guys and older guys too."

Despite adding several players into the mix, the Rustlers quickly rose in the Canadian college rankings. Wade said the chemistry came quickly, allowing him to provide quiet leadership within the group.

"We found that mix early on," he said. "Everyone knows I don't talk a lot, but when I do, it might be important."

"He's been a huge contributor," Thomas said. "One of the leading scorers in the league, scores in bunches while spacing the floor and he's underrated as a defender."

Wade agreed with that assessment, noting being able to help get stops is something he takes pride in.

"I believe my defence is underrated and one of the things that got me on the court when I first started," he said. "I wasn't a shooter or scorer back then, I was out there to go guard the best player,"

Heading into their final regular season weekend, the Rustlers can clinch the number one seed in the North Division with a pair of victories against the NWP Wolves on the road. Wade said the group is focused on accomplishing that as part of their larger goal of winning a championship, a goal that cannot be achieved alone.

"It's going to take all of us," he said. "A lot of communication, effort and [execution]."

Taleh Wade is in his fourth year of eligibility, taking Business Administration at Lakeland College. The men's basketball team, along with the women's team, will travel to Grande Prairie tomorrow to take on the Wolves Friday night at Saturday afternoon. They host their quarterfinal matchup at the ACAC Championship on March 5 in the Lloydminster Campus Gymnasium.