Rick Pitino wasted no time in deciding who would be his team's captain or captains for the upcoming season, announcing Monday that rising senior Wayne Blackshear will fulfill the role.
"We have great confidence in Wayne moving toward his senior year," Pitino said in a release. "I'm sure he will continue the outstanding leadership we have witnessed the last four years."
In his season-ending press conference a week ago, Pitino repeatedly remarked on the necessity of Blackshear improving before next season. He said that while the Chicago native is a tremendous person and representative for U of L, he has also been the only multi-year player Pitino has had who has not improved over the course of career.
The move is also intriguing because of the fact that Montrezl Harrell, who is currently mulling over the decision of whether or not to leave for the NBA, was named a team captain last season as a sophomore. Should he choose to play his junior season for the Cardinals, it's hard to imagine Trez not re-assuming his role as co-captain.
A Capital One Academic All-District 2 selection, Blackshear averaged 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and shot 39.5 percent from three-point range (45-of-114) for the Cards last season. He had 14 double-digit scoring efforts last season, including a career-high 23 against Houston.
Blackshear ranked sixth in the AAC in three-point percentage (.395) and buried a three-pointer in 21 of his 36 games. During the Cardinals' 2013 NCAA Championship season, he was a starter and the recipient of the prestigious Elite 89 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at NCAA Championships.
Go get 'em, Cap Wayne.