Witter: ‘This is my last chance'

Cavel Witter hardly lacks for motivation this summer.

The 6-foot guard is trying to earn his way back on to Creighton's basketball team. He decided to leave the program in early April but had a change of heart two months later and is trying to re-establish his standing with coach Dana Altman and his teammates.

Never shy about getting into the gym and working on his game, Witter is shooting 500 jumpers a day in addition to joining his teammates for conditioning workouts and pickup games.

“This is my last chance,'' Witter said, “and I'm willing to do whatever it takes. If you tell me to go through a wall, I'll do it.''

If Witter ever feels like slacking off, he remembers the impression he left on many Creighton fans last season. By his own admission, Witter didn't have the greatest of seasons. As a sophomore he had established himself as one of the team's top reserves, but he saw his scoring average drop as a junior. He had trouble with turnovers. His defense lagged.

Some struggles were a result of a midseason change in roles. Witter went from playing primarily point guard to becoming a shooting guard.

He's heard about the criticism directed his way by self-appointed online coaches.

“I'm just trying to get better, especially when there are a lot of people that think I'm the worst player in Creighton history,'' Witter said. “People don't think we know about that stuff, but it all comes around. We may not go on the stuff (message boards), but we hear it.''

From the most unusual sources.

“I was working a camp, and this little kid comes up and says, ‘My dad thinks you're terrible,'” Witter said, laughing. “Things like that keep you motivated. When you're going through that last rep and you're tired, you think, ‘Everyone thinks you're a bum. Everyone thinks you're garbage.'

“It makes you go harder, and I think everyone on this team has that mentality. I like how this team is developing.''

It's not clear yet whether Witter will be a part of that team. Altman and Witter met Wednesday morning, and the coach said afterward that he's pleased by the reports he's received about Witter's work in June.

“He's still trying to re-establish his place on the team,'' Altman said. “He did a fine job in June in the weight room. We'll see how July goes.

“We talked about that and said we'll talk again. He knows that he has to earn his way back, and he appears to be doing that.''

During a recent session of pickup games with teammates, Witter's play stood out, and so did his demeanor. He played hard and with a control that sometimes appeared lacking last season. He took good shots and found open teammates with passes.

He also took the lead in keeping things organized and moving forward. He was quick with a compliment when a teammate made a good play. He chided others when they appeared to be slacking off. He showed leadership traits that he hasn't in the past.

“Typically, our seniors have gravitated toward that role,'' Altman said. “Cavel's in his third year in the program, Chad (Millard) is in his fourth. Although Justin (Carter) is only starting his second, he's a player that everyone likes and respects.

“Those guys are going to have the opportunity to be leaders, and a lot is going to depend on how they handle it. Being a leader is making sure that their teammates know they care.''

Witter said he's focused on doing everything Altman wants him to do.

“I'm taking classes next month,” he said. “I'm staying out of trouble. I'm taking time to help the younger guys get used to the game.

“We have a chance to do special things next year, and I want to be a part of it.''

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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