Michael Carey Aims For Big Senior Season

Expectations loom large for Michael Carey headed into his senior season of college basketball.

Carey, a 6’ 5” guard for the Wagner College Seahawks is a returning team leader and looking to push his team to an NCAA Tournament berth after they fell just one game short last year.

“My responsibilities haven’t really changed, the coaching staff asked me to be more vocal, instead of just leading by example, I have to be the veteran of the team, I’m the oldest guy on the team, I have to take guys to the side and explain the plays and show them the tricks that some one once taught me,” Carey said, “I’ve gotten trust from the coach allowing me to play my game, they trust my basketball IQ and allow me to maneuver around the court and take advantage that allows me to be 6’ 5” and a do-it-all guard.”

In 34 games last season, Carey played 29 minutes per game and averaged 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.

The Seahawks lost to Creighton 87-54 in the National Invitation Tournament second round.

Carey, posted 15 double-doubles on the season and was a two time NEC Player of the Week honouree.

It was an amazing late season run for Carey who recorded double-doubles in six of his last eight games. He scored a career high 28 points in the NEC semi-final to lead the Seahawks to a come from behind win over LIU Brooklyn.

He was also an all conference second team selection.

“The coach did a great job addressing certain things because no player will be the same as when you recruit them. We lost our defensive player the year and gained two other players who can play and probably fill it up better than he could,” Carey said, “We are losing a little of defensive presence and gaining a lot of offensive power. I think it showed when we went on the over seas tour scoring 80 and 90 points per game. The style is going to change a little but we are still going to be that rugged and tough defending team, but out offense is going to be really good.”

In the offseason, Carey was a member of the Bahamas’ senior national team who finished seventh at the Centrobasket in Panama.

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Carey averaged 8.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and three assists per game over the course of the tournament.

“Centrobasket, with the level of competition playing against pros, especially one of the guys from Mexico – he plays with the Brooklyn Nets right now – It gave me a great chance to match up against those guys to see where I was at,” Carey said, “It definitely taught me a lot on how to pace my self, when to go when to stop, how to pace myself and a couple of pros tricks.”

As for his senior campaign and the 2016-17 Seahawks season, Carey remains optimistic.

“I would like to keep it well balanced this season, it should be a fun ride, just keep following because Bahamian Basketball doesn’t stop with Buddy,” he said.

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