By Nedal Ahmed
Student Correspondent

Craig Stanley

For starting Collin College point guard and Plano West graduate Craig Stanley, the second time is the charm.

Stanley had been offered a spot on the Drake University squad coming out of high school, but he opted to play for Collin College since Drake did not offer him a scholarship.

Two years later, Stanley is going back on his terms -- joining the team on a scholarship after making a verbal commitment in February to play basketball next year for the Division I school that finished ranked 18th in the nation this season.

Stanley says he was courted by two other Division I schools, St. Bonaventure in New York and Santa Clara in California, but chose Drake as the school where he will fulfill what he says was a longtime goal of playing for a division I school.

"I liked the academic part, and I felt really good about the coaching staff and the players," Stanley said. "Everyone else at the school seemed to get along well with the athletic program, like the faculty and counselors. There was no negatvity around it at all."

A business major hopeful, Stanley said that academics played a crucial role in his decision to choose Drake. Stanley said that the importance of academics had been instilled in him as a child and continues to have a great part in his life today.

Stanley's coach at Collin College Jim Sigona said that playing for Drake will provide Stanley with a tremendous opportunity as he plays for a competitive team in a good league. Coach Sigona described Stanley, who is his second player to go on to Drake, as a "solid player."

"There's nothing he's weak at," Sigona said. "He can score the ball and is a playmaker. He can get to the basket and create scoring opportunities for himself and for his teammates."

Sigona, who was part of founding Collin College's basketball program nearly 20 years ago after coaching at a four-year institution, said that while Stanley is a good player, it's his personality that makes him outstanding.

"He's an even better person than he is a basketball player," Sigona said. "I have nothing but great things to say about Craig, he's a good guy to be around."

Speaking of Sigona, Stanley said that his Collin College coach is the best coach that he's had throughout his basketball career.

"He really would light a fire under me with his intensity," Stanley said. "I think that made me play more intensely than I ever had before."

Having already met the coaching staff at Drake when he was looking for a place to play after high school, Stanley said that he is comfortable to play under head coach Keno Davis and his staff.    

"They told me exactly what they wanted from me and how they felt about me," Stanley said. "Honesty is a big thing with me and my family, so that was good."

The Drake squad has all players except for the point guard spot returning, making Stanley a competitor for the starting spot, which he say he will work hard to land.

Playing for Drake will take an adjustment period, according to both Sigona and Stanley.     

"There's more pressure on you as a player as you're out there," Stanley said. "You have to get used to a faster game that's more intense and physical."

Stanley says he is looking forward to getting to meet new people at Drake, and says that he will miss the players and coaching staff here at Collin College, the school where he learned not to "take any plays off."