After two years at the University of Wyoming, junior guard Eric Platt looks to dominate as a Lumberjack. - Ryan Kennedy/ The Lumberjack

The Northern Arizona University men’s basketball team is loaded with young talent but is limited in experience, which is why junior guard Eric Platt will be an essential addition to the Lumberjack squad.

Platt transferred to NAU from the University of Wyoming last year and sat on the sidelines last season as a redshirt per NCAA Division I regulations.

“We had gotten a new coach at Wyoming after my freshman year there, and things just weren’t clicking for me,” Platt said. “When I decided to transfer, NAU was an easy decision. I liked all the guys here and the coaches.”

During his redshirt season, Platt learned the system and got to know the players and coaches he would be with for his last two years in college.

“The best thing for me was redshirting,” Platt said. “As hard as it was for me, it was good just getting used to the offense and just to have a year off and enjoy basketball.”

Platt had an impressive freshman year at Wyoming, playing in all 32 games for the Cowboys, and contributing 43 3-pointers during the season.

However, Platt’s minutes decreased from 19.2 per game in his freshman year to 13.6 per game in his sophomore year. Consequently, his offensive numbers were down in every category in his second season. 

“Eric really has an ability to shoot the ball,” said NAU head coach Mike Adras. “Even though he didn’t play much his sophomore year at Wyoming, he’s played against a higher level of competition, and hopefully that will serve him well as he gets back into the game.”

In high school, Platt identified himself as a Division I-caliber basketball player. He holds many records at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyo., including most 3-pointers made in a season (72), most 3-pointers made in a single game (10) and most free throws made in a single game (18). 

During his senior year, he was named the 2006 Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year. Platt was also named to the all-state first team in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

“He was a big guard who could shoot and handle the ball well,” said senior biology major Dan Singer. 

Singer, who played against Platt for three years as part of the Cody Broncs in Cody, Wyo., had to cover the tall guard from time to time. 

“That combination is difficult to guard,” Singer said. “Everyone knew he would play Division I basketball after he graduated.”

While it may be a hard combination for opposing teams to gaurd, that combination is exactly what Adras is looking for in Platt.

“Eric will get his opportunities, but he also knows that he still has to compete,” Adras said. “I’m confident that he’ll be able to do that, based on what he’s done in the past, and contribute well to this team.”

Although Platt is a newcomer, he is confident his talent and drive to win will lead him to a central role for the Lumberjacks.

“I see myself having a dominant role on this team,” Platt said. “This offense is based around shooters, and shooting is what I feel to be my best asset. I’m confident in myself, and my teammates are confident in me.”

With two years of eligibility left for him, Platt will look to lead the Lumberjacks up the Big Sky standings and into the NCAA postseason. Doing so, he said, will be a definite possibility.

“With all this young talent, the sky is the limit for this team,” Platt said. “It’s going to be pretty exciting to see what happens for us in the next few years.”