Penn men’s basketball coach Glen Miller announced yesterday that sophomore point guard Zack Rosen and senior guard Darren Smith will be the team’s 2009-10 captains. The announcement comes a week after the players elected Smith and Rosen in a team meeting.
“Darren and Zack have earned the respect of their teammates throughout the preseason with their team-first approach,” Miller told Penn Athletics. “I have total confidence that they will provide us with strong leadership both on and off the court this season, and I look forward to working closely with them!”
Although sources could not confirm it, Rosen is believed to be the first sophomore ever elected captain at Penn. There has never been a two-time captain that served the role prior to his final two letter-winning seasons.
Despite commanding the court last year as a freshman point guard starting all but one game and leading the Ivies in assists and turnover ratio, Rosen was a slight surprise as the team’s pick. Although he refuted that claim, he expressed excitement over his selection.
“The guys elected me to be the captain,” Rosen said. “It’s something I’m excited about that confirms their faith in me as a leader.”
Smith was chosen after missing the last two seasons with a fractured knee cap suffered in the season opener against Drexel on Nov. 9, 2007. His selection is a testament to his continued dedication to the team throughout that adversity, and the leadership he has provided despite his absence from games.
Rosen does not feel any added pressure as a captain.
“I wouldn’t say pressure, I think it’s just ownership,” he said. “If the ship sinks or if the ship sails, it’s on me and Darren.”
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