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Eli Silverman-Lloyd was a captain of the Oberlin College Men's Basketball Team, and at the time, one of only two guys who had been with the team for two years. He was named an Honorable Mention in the NCAC conference after a great junior year, where he was the leading scorer, and met with us about what it meant to be a captain of such a young team.
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What was it like being one of only 2 guys on the team who had been there for more than two years? Did it put extra pressure on you?
I don't think it was too much extra pressure. It felt like I had part of the responsibility of a senior a year before usual. Most of the pressure was alleviated by having other captains and leaders who were not upperclassmen to help with some of the leadership roles. In high school, we had no senior class so it felt familiar.
Did you like being the guy that the younger guys looked up to? What advice did you offer them?
I did feel that the younger guys looked up to me. I was one of the most senior members on the team, and I made an effort early on to get to know them and to work out with them. I mainly encouraged them to form their identities and character through hard work and to push themselves to compete with others and fight for minutes while being supportive of your teammates.
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How much do you do to prepare the team for games? What is your specific role as a team captain?
I try to lead by example and be vocal. I try to learn the scouts well before practice to get efficient reps and to show how well you should know the game plan. I also try to lead by example with the individual workouts leading up to games. Closer to gametime, I try to keep our team focused with quick motivational speeches and to boost our confidence and trust in the preparation.
Does being a captain make it harder to connect with teammates?
I don't think it makes too much of a difference. I feel more like a peer with my teammates. There can be some extra pressure as a captain to organize and to keep the group energized and focused, which means I have to be extra organized and focused.
How was your recruiting process? Was it stressful, rewarding, or a mix of both?
It was pretty stressful to figure out which school to go to. I decided pretty late in the game, but once I made the decision, I felt pretty good about it overall, and I think it has been rewarding.
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How much did basketball play into your college decision?
It played a pretty big role in the decision. A high academic school was my top priority, and basketball fell second. Oberlin felt like the right fit because it had both of these things as well as a campus music culture.
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* Originally published on February 3, 2022, by Christian Fioretti
