Men's basketball captain Will Hanley '12 is on pace to break multiple school records. Equally adept at offense and defense, he has high hopes for his post-college career—he's already sent game tapes to professional basketball teams in Europe.
In Monday's game against Maine Maritime Academy, Hanley posted 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block, but ended his 5-game streak of double-doubles. In his final game of the streak, against Maine-Presque Isle, he scored 14 points, with 16 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Hanley is on track to be in Bowdoin's all time top 10 for the most games played, season points, total career points, season rebounds, average season rebounds per game, total career rebounds, and average rebounds per game for a career. He is also poised to make the top 10 for season and career points per game average.
To put it succinctly, he may finish his career in Bowdoin's top 10 in at least nine statistical categories.
But Hanley, a relatively soft-spoken 6-foot-7-inch guard/forward, is not the type of athlete who pays much attention to statistics.
"At the end of the day, I hate losing," Hanley said. "If I score 20 points and we lose, it doesn't really matter."
As a player, he is a rare combination of size, speed and finesse. He is currently Bowdoin's third tallest player, has the third-highest field goal percentage, and is also the leading scorer and rebounder.
Of course, other teams have noticed how well he's been playing. Hanley said he has noticed being double covered more frequently this season, but knows that it allows more opportunities for him to pass to open players on his team.
Currently Bowdoin's most fouled player, he has already been to the free throw line 37 times in seven games. However, Hanley has room for improvement at converting those opportunities into points, as he has made only 62 percent of his free throws this season.
As deadly a rebounder as he is a scorer, Hanley is currently on pace to have the most rebounds ever in a season by a Bowdoin player, a record that currently stands at 312.
"This year I'm definitely in the post more, and just really centered around the basket," Haley said. "I think last year I was trying to go outside a little more, but this year I've been getting inside."
A potential future inductee into the Bowdoin Athletic Hall of Honor, Hanley has had a long and prosperous basketball career. But to him, it would be better "to have a good season and make the NCAA tournament than have the most rebounds."
With the way his 5-2 team is playing this year, he might just get both.
The sports editor chooses the Athlete of the Week based on exemplary performance.