Mature player, rookie assistant coach helping top-ranked NSU reach for basketball glory

If necessary, drag me to the gym.

That’s what Nova Southeastern University men’s basketball star RJ Sunahara, 22, told newly-named assistant coach and former teammate Nick Smith, 24, this past summer.

Fortunately for the 6-foot-1 Smith, he didn’t have to carry the 6-8 Sunahara.

“RJ was texting me every morning,” Smith said. “He would ask me: ‘What time are we working out?’”

On Wednesday, the collaboration between mature baller and rookie coach was officially deemed a success as Sunahara was named the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, the NSU Sharks on Thursday advanced to the SSC tournament’s championship game with a 95-89 overtime win over Florida Tech. NSU, 29-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation (NCAA Division II), will try for its second straight SSC tournament title against sixth-seeded Embry-Riddle on Sunday at 1 p.m.

NSU was also undefeated and top-ranked last year at this same stage of the season. Smith was the Sharks’ starting point guard back then, and NSU made it all the way to the Elite Eight before getting upset by Black Hills State, 77-67, at Evansville, Indiana.

After that game, there were three departures from NSU’s 2021-2022 starting lineup: SSC Player of the Year Sekou Sylla transferred to (Division I) Towson; and the starting backcourt of Eddie Puisis and Smith completed their eligibility.

Puisis, who is now working in medical sales, and Smith are still roommates, however, living 10 minutes away from NSU’s Davie campus.

When told that Puisis was a good 3-point shooter for NSU, Smith joked: “He’s probably washed up now.”

NSU head coach Jim Crutchfield, associate head coach Jordan Fee, director of player development Mike Chalas and Smith have all given Puisis a good-natured ribbing about him making it to just two Sharks regular-season games.

“He’s coming now that it’s the playoffs,” said Smith, who has earned an NSU Master’s degree in Business Administration. “He’s a bandwagon jumper.”

It’s quite a nice bandwagon.

The Sharks are 59-1 over the past two years.

Sunahara has been the key this season, putting up sensational numbers, including 62.0 field-goal percentage, 45.7 percentage on 3-pointers and 74.7 percent on free throws. He also leads the team in scoring (19.5).

“Every aspect of RJ’s game has improved at least a little,” said Crutchfield, who was named SSC Coach of the Year on Wednesday. “That includes his leadership, motivating guys at practice.”

Added Sunahara: “I’m being more aggressive, looking to score more. I’m getting to my spots. I’ve worked hard on my jump shot, expanding my game. That’s opened up driving lanes and drive-and-kicks for teammates.”

The big addition to NSU this year has been pure-shooting Will Yoakum, who on Wednesday was named SSC Newcomer of the Year and a first-team all-league player.

Second on the team in scoring (18.4), Yoakum also leads the Sharks in 3-point percentage, making exactly half of his 110 attempts. He is also shooting 58.6 percent from the floor and 80.0 on free throws.

Yoakum, a 6-5 wing, is a transfer from Crutchfield’s previous school, West Liberty. Yoakum is also one of three NSU players – along with Tomas Murphy and Mike Moore – who is the same age as Smith (24).

“It’s a crazy story,” Smith said when asked about Yoakum. “I had committed along with Will to go to West ‘Lib’. But when (Crutchfield) left to NSU, I followed him.

“Had I stayed at West Lib, Will and I would’ve been teammates and probably roommates. Now, five years later, I’m his coach.”

Because West Liberty still runs a Crutchfield-like system, Yoakum has made an immediate transition to NSU.

Crutchfield doesn’t usually seek transfers because he worries about chemistry. But he didn’t fret in this case because Yoakum doesn’t overdribble or dominate the ball. He’s also highly skilled, making first-team all-league twice while at West Liberty.

“Will can obviously shoot the thing,” Smith said. “But I’ve been shocked by his defense. He doesn’t look like he can pin shots off the backboard, but he’s made some unbelievable blocks.”

As for Smith, he scrimmages with his players when needed, and you can bet Sunahara doesn’t take it easy on him.

“I talk trash to him,” Sunahara said with a laugh. “But it feels odd doing that to a coach.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 8:39 AM.