We are profiling each member of the 2011-12 Creighton men’s basketball team. Join us weekdays from now until the men’s exhibition opener against Rockhurst for an introduction to this year’s Bluejays, from freshmen to seniors.
See all of our 2011-12 Creighton men’s basketball profiles
Artino's height and versatility will be his strengths (Marshall/WBR)
For the past two offseasons the biggest glimpse Creighton fans have gotten of Will Artino has been on the Summer League court. Standing at 6’10”, Artino was able to go over the top of almost everyone down low and at the same time handle the ball at the top of the key like a guard.
After enduring a growth spurt the summer before his junior year, Artino has spent the last year redshirting, building a Division I body so as to play more of a true frontcourt game.
“I’ve been working on a little bit of everything,” said Artino. “Playing back to the basket and getting stronger was the main thing. A lot of it was just getting stronger.”
After 2011 Summer League came a trip to the Bahamas, where Artino showed the potential that has coaches and fans excited. With Gregory Echenique on the trip, Artino was able to get a lot of time in the low blocks. All he did was average a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) through the five-game exhibition tour, in only a little more than 20 minutes a game.
“I was looking forward to the trip, to finally playing in a game. Playing a few games, getting them under my belt before I finally started playing was something that really helped,” Artino said. “Overall the trip was probably one of the best vacations and basketball trips I have ever had. It was a lot of fun.”
Artino is excited to finally get an opportunity to play in a real game. “Obviously, it is something I am really excited about. I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Two seasons ago, Artino closed out his Waukee, Iowa, high school career by averaging 18 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game while setting a school record with 264 rebounds as a senior.
With Echenique back and with Geoff Groselle as another frontcourt option, Artino is working his way into getting his opportunity at the 4 or 5 position.
“I think I will be playing the 4 or 5 depending on the night and what they need. For the most part they are pretty interchangeable. I don’t think it will really matter. It will just depend on who I am guarding.”
An early theme surrounding the 2011-12 Bluejays sees to be the unselfish nature of the players. Artino echos those sentiments regarding his own personal goals for the season.
“I just really don’t have any. I just want to do whatever I can do to help the team win. Whatever the coaches ask me to do to help us, I will do it,” he said.
Especially if such effort comes at the expense of Creighton’s league rivals from his home state of Iowa. Artino said he looks forward to those games the most right now.
“Obviously the home state games against Drake, UNI, and even Iowa in non-conference are important to me. Drake is a big one for me,” he said.