DeShazer excited for opportunity with Avila basketball

Louisburg senior Dylan DeShazer will continue his basketball career next season at Avila University as he signed a letter of intent with the Eagles on April 3.

Dylan DeShazer has been playing
basketball for most of his young life, and with college in his near-future, he
wasn’t ready to leave it behind just yet.

In fact, playing collegiate
basketball has always been a goal of DeShazer’s and he found the perfect opportunity
for him. On April 3, DeShazer made his decision known in front of family and
friends during a signing ceremony at Louisburg High School.

DeShazer signed his letter of
intent to play basketball at Avila University and he is excited to take the next
step in his journey with the Eagle program.

“It is definitely a big step,”
DeShazer said. “It is a little scary, but it is exciting too because I get a
chance to go to a different place, meet new people and do what I love, which is
playing basketball.

“Playing college basketball has
been a big goal for me for a long time. Now that it is actually happening, it
is just awesome. It really is an undescribeable feeling and am looking forward
to getting started.

The Louisburg senior started most
of the season for the Wildcat program and averaged eight points and five
rebounds in 22 minutes a contest. DeShazer, who stands at 6 feet, 5 inches, played
a lot under the basket for the Wildcats and will have a similar role next
season with Avila.

“They see me as a big man that can
play in and out, but mostly working inside,” DeShazer said. “He said he really
wants someone that will work hard and go all out for the team and I think that
I am that person.”

Avila is an
NAIA program in Kansas City, Mo., and is currently a member of the Kansas
Collegiate Athletic Conference. Although the Eagles struggled last season,
DeShazer is excited for the opportunity to fit in with the program, and the
school.

“I did like how
small and convenient it was,” he said. “They definitely have a good program and
I have watched them for a while. They have a friendly environment and something
I wanted to be a part of.

“I just want to
get comfortable and get to know people. I would like to get a good amount of
playing time, but really I want to just go and improve my skills.”

DeShazer had
his best game of the season in the Wildcats’ final game of the year in the
sub-state tournament as he scored a game-high 16 points and pulled down seven
rebounds against Anderson County.

He was a part
of a Louisburg senior class that helped turn around a program that had two wins
a year ago and helped the Wildcats to a 9-12 record. DeShazer’s four years with
the program was a special time for him.

“It really
hasn’t sunk in yet,” DeShazer said of his high school career coming to a close.
“I can’t even remember all these experiences the last four years because I have
had so many, but the stuff I do remember will stick with me forever. It was a
good experience for sure.”