The QU Men’s Basketball honored three seniors at their home game on Saturday March 2. Graduating for the Hawks was guard Nate Shockey, guard Zion Richardson, and forward Solomon Gustafson. 

Looking at their careers at QU the three seniors had the opportunity to reflect on their favorite memories. 

Richardson recalls the many memories created during his time playing including adrenaline-fueled paintball battles, memorable retreats and team bonding at the pumpkin patch and haunted house. Each experience had an impact on his collegiate journey.

Gustafson said that his favorite memory was a double overtime win over the University of Indiana that happened his junior season. In that game he played all 40 minutes of the game which is the most minutes he’s ever played in his career. 

Unfortunately, memorable moments aren’t always what happens in a player’s career, there can be challenges they face. 

Gustafson had to call it quits his senior year. 

“When I had to throw in the towel for the season and succumb to my spinal injury,” Gustafson said. 

But he has stepped into a new role and has accepted it with pride. 

Playing basketball has helped these three seniors find who they are as people. 

“I have grown a lot. I’d say I’ve matured a lot off the court. I’ve been able to mature into a man that’s getting ready to go into the real world,” Shockey said. 

Basketball gave them the opportunity to learn life lessons while playing a sport they love and getting a degree. Their coach has helped them learn life lessons along the way. 

“Coach does a great job of teaching us how to survive in the real world because the ball is going to stop bouncing at one point,” Richardson said. 

Shockey says that his dad was his biggest influence and motivator during his basketball career. 

“He played college basketball as well. He knows he’s been through the same things that I’ve been through. I’m always talking to him and giving me advice. He’s telling me what to do and telling me stories about what he did back when he was in college,” Shockey said. 

The seniors had advice for the young players on the team. They said that things move fast through your four years of college. They told them to be patient and live in the moment because it won’t last long.