Men's Basketball

FRESHMAN FAZIO GIVING SAINTS A BOOST ON THE COURT

Local guard providing team with a spark in the starting lineup

Freshman Guard D.J. Fazio

Freshman Guard D.J. Fazio

Dec. 26, 2010

The transition from high school to college is difficult on nearly every level. Classes are harder, the studying is more intense and it is the first time that many students are on their own in the world, even if their school is only a few miles away from their hometown. Add all that together and it makes for a demanding and exciting beginning to four years of college.

However, for a new Saints' men's basketball player, that is only the beginning.

Led by senior co-captains Tyrone Buchanan and Tony Carter-Hill, the Saints have grabbed two key wins early in the season, one of them being a conference victory over Mount Ida College, 70-63. The team looks poised and ready for a progressive run after the holiday break.

One of the new storylines to the team this season is the addition of freshman guard, D.J. Fazio of Methuen, Mass. Fazio has broken into the Saints' starting lineup while notching 35 points, 14 rebounds and a team-high 20 assists on the season already.

The normally strenuous transition to college has been of little difficulty to the 5-8 guard.

"I am really enjoying my time at Emmanuel a lot," Fazio said. "The campus is beautiful and it doesn't get much better than living in Boston. People on campus are extremely nice and I have made a lot of good friends already."

Fazio has caught the attention of the Emmanuel Superfans who have noticed his hustle, determination and impressive skills right from the opening tip-off. Despite becoming a fan favorite, he has been quick to look to his teammates and coaches for their trust and support.

"It has really been a great experience to be able to start as a freshman," Fazio said. "Both my teammates and my coaches have shown the trust in me to run the team and be the floor general. Not many freshman can say that they have had the opportunity to start right off the bat and I am very fortunate for this."

"My relationship is amazing with my teammates," Fazio said. "I get along extremely well with all of them. Being apart of this team is really like a brotherhood and every person on the team has each other's back."

"Our team is a family."

This season also brings with it a new coach for the young freshman. Fazio's previous coach was one that he knew very well both on and off the court: his own father. Emmanuel Head Coach Jamahl Jackson has shown faith in Fazio and his talents from early on.

"Coach Jackson is a great coach and playing for him has also been great," Fazio said. "I played for my father in high school and that really had its ups and downs. Playing for your father is very tough because he is your coach 24/7. Having the ability to play for a new coach is a great thing and I have really learned and grown a lot as a player and person in just one semester thanks to Coach Jackson."

With much of the season still waiting to be traversed, Fazio has high hopes for the squad and is committed to bringing the most to the court each and every day.

"Coming back from break, I am hoping to do anything that the coaching staff asks of me to make this team successful," Fazio said. "We have so many great players on our team and I will do whatever it takes for us to win."