Drew Hoops Star Gets Preseason Adulation

Asmar Capers’ senior season for Drew University begins Wednesday when the Rangers take on Vaughn College.

But Capers, a 2005 graduate of , has already garnered adulation.

Capers was named to the D3Hoops.com preseason All-America Team, the first Drew player to be named as a preseason All-America selection. Capers, who was a first-team All-Region performer last year, had a sensational season.

Capers led the Landmark Conference in scoring at 22 points a game, which was also good enough to place him 13th overall in all of D-III. He set a league record for points with 41 on Jan. 15 in a 90-74 victory over Catholic.

“His ability to score is unique,” Drew head coach Darryl Keckler said. “But more than that, he has a competitiveness and willingness to be coached.”

Even though it’s a preseason honor, it’s still an amazing recognition, according to Keckler.

“There have been very good players before him,” said Keckler, who’s entering his fourth season as Drew’s head coach. “So for Asmar to receive such an honor is extremely special.”

Last year, Drew qualified for the Landmark Conference playoffs for the first time in school history, and won a school-record nine straight games between the months of January and February.

“We knew he would have an impact, but did not know to what extent,” Keckler said. “For Asmar to come in and become the ‘go to’ guy in his first year in the program says a lot about how good Asmar is.”

Keckler has high expectations for Capers and the team this season.

“We expect Asmar to be our leader again,” he said. “He has proven himself as a scorer, and now we expect him to take that to the next level and make everyone around him better. That is what makes a guy an All-American."

“We want to be better," he added. "We want to play for a conference title late in February and hopefully make the NCAA tournament.”

Capers made an impression on Keckler and his coaching staff from day one.

“It only took us about a week to realize we had something special,” Keckler said. “Whether or not a kid is good can be judged by how he plays on the court, but for a kid to be ‘special’ he has to put in the work on and off the court, and that is what caught our attention to how good he could be."

“His eagerness to come in the office and watch film, ask questions, put in extra time talking basketball with our staff is what made him special,” he added.

As is the case with all players on the collegiate level, Keckler believes Capers has room to become even better.                        

“Asmar can definitely improve,” Keckler said. “If he improves his defense and play-making ability for others, he will lead our team a long way and receive the national recognition he deserves.”