Grand Canyon men’s basketball is set up well to make a run at its third straight WAC title this season, led by reigning player of the year Tyon Grant-Foster and senior Ray Harrison.
Both were selected to the preseason All-WAC team this season, and Grant-Foster was picked to repeat as player of the year.
“As a coach it’s a luxury to have two player of the year-type players on your roster. They’ve both been able to be tournament MVP and they both get to come back for their last year of college basketball,” coach Bryce Drew said on ESPN’s WAC basketball preview show Tuesday. “It’s something that’s great for our program because if they’re both playing at a high level it makes us even better.
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“If one’s not having a great night, you have another player that’s capable of going out and just flat out winning the game for you.”
Drew said both have greatly improved over the offseason, and he’s expecting them to take another step forward in their development.
“We’re aiming to continue getting better,” Harrison said of how the program is building off its first March Madness win last season. “We don’t want to take any steps back.”
Grant-Foster raved about new additions, such as Ja’Kobe Coles, and how they have bolstered the depth and creating competitive practices for the ‘Lopes.
Tyon Grant-Foster’s NBA draft experience
Grant-Foster went through part of the NBA draft process before coming back to Phoenix for a final season, and he said it was a great experience that everyone who has the chance to should take.
“I can’t wait to do it again next year,” the wing added.
He said the biggest thing NBA personnel is looking for this season is making the easy play and the extra pass. The scouts know Grant-Foster can make the tough shots, he said.