It is uncommon for a player to suggest to the coach that, in the best interests of the team, he or she should start the game on the bench.

Let’s face it, many top athletes possess an egocentric and “me first” attitude. But, every now and then, a player like Nathan Yu comes along. The Vancouver Province featured a recent article on Yu, who just completed his 4^th season with the UBC Thunderbirds Basketball Team. He has one year of eligibility left.

 

The T-birds, despite being the top seed, earned bronze at the CIS National Championship, last weekend in Halifax. They were upset by Trinity Western University 74-72 in the semi-finals. UBC earned silver the previous two years at the 2010 and 2009 Nationals.

 

Yu, a high-scoring guard, grew up in Prince George and led Duchess Park to the B.C. Boys Double A Championship in his grade 11 year (2005-06 season), where he was named tournament MVP in Kamloops. With one year of high school remaining, Yu moved to the Lower Mainland and starred with Vancouver College in 06/07 before joining the Thunderbirds the following season.

 

With a deep talent base, UBC has been recognized as one of the top teams in the country the last few seasons. However, only five players can start a game. “At the beginning of the year, we talked about how we had to all just chuck our egos out the door because the big picture is all about winning a national championship. So, at the beginning of the year, I went up to Kevin (Coach Hanson) and I told him that I felt I was more effective coming off the bench. And I love my role. I am embracing every minute of it”, Yu told Howard Tsumura of the Province.

 

Yu is a prime example of a player making the necessary adjustments to not only suiting up for a terrific team, but more importantly understanding the “TEAM” concept.

 

Despite being the “6th man”, the 6-2, 190 pound Yu averaged 21 minutes of playing time and came third in team scoring with a career-high 13 points per game. He also shot 47 per cent from the field, which included 42 per cent from the three point range.

In the CIS bronze medal match, UBC beat Saskatchewan 111-95 in the highest scoring game in Final 8 tournament history. Yu was the Thunderbirds second leading scorer with 17 points behind Alex Murphy's 36. (The gold went to Carleton for the 7^th time in the last nine years, 82-59 over TWU).

 

Many athletes, in all sports, have a difficult time transitioning from a high-school standout/MVP to just another, very good player, at the College or University level. Some students, in fact, are more comfortable playing for a lesser team in University as long as they can continue to be the top gun.

 

While attending school in Prince George, Nathan was often referred to as the younger brother of Jordan Yu, who also excelled in basketball (point guard with UBC) and is now coaching Capilano of the BCCAA. Nathan thrived and excelled under the pressure, at a young age, of being a sibling to a former top notch player.

UBC did not achieve its ultimate goal this season of winning a national championship. Sometimes, this happens to the best of the top seeds. The ultimate goal remains the same, but regardless of the results, it all starts with attitude. Nathan proves that, to be successful, on and off the court, “YU” have to
have it.

 

 

 

 

 

Air Canada is reportedly threatening to withdraw its considerable sponsorship if the NHL doesn't take action on violence in the game. Air Canada is also threatening to send luggage to the correct destination.

Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix 

 

 

 

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has identified Jasper, Alberta as the darkest place in Canada. The second darkest was found to be the Air Canada Centre in Toronto at playoff time.


A German study says men who stare at women’s breasts on a continuous basis have less chance of heart attack or stroke. A spokesman for the Cleveland Cavaliers says this is another reason to go to games because if you watch these boobs you could live forever. 

 

Since Ohio State is now favored to win the National Championship in men's basketball, has the NCAA considered putting tracking devices on any championship memorabilia they give the players?

No Northern California teams are in the men’s' NCAA tournament. Which is a shame. The Sacramento Kings could have been at least a six seed.

 

  

According to Forbes, to cover all possible NCAA Tournament brackets if you’re doing multiple brackets it would take 292 trillion years. Or until the next Cubs World Series appearance.

 

An Arizona man has been sentenced to three years of probation for stabbing a man who refused to let him suck his blood. But the judge said that the man could continue his job as a sports agent.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

Oakland A's outfielder Coco Crisp was arrested recently in Scottsdale, Arizona, for drunk driving.
If he'd been smoking marijuana, would the joints be considered Coco Puffs?

 

 

Sugar Ray Leonard will be on the upcoming Dancing with the Stars paired with 2010  SI Swimsuit Issue model Anna Trebunskaya. There's a perfect match - a boxer and a knockout.

 

 

 

 

Disturbed actor Charlie Sheen is selling tickets to a live show he will do in Chicago and Detroit.
If people want to see self-destruction in those cities, why not buy tickets to the Lions or the Cubs?