Hughes Leads First Place Yale Against Lions

For Bulldogs senior forward Casey Hughes, excelling on the basketball court is not his only source of pride at Yale. In his four years at New Haven, Hughes has had to balance not only the demanding schedule of a varsity basketball player, but also the rigorous course work of an Ivy League school.

"College basketball has been really challenging for me, as it is for many others, and it takes a lot more preparation and hard work than people think," Hughes said. "Being in the Ivy League presents other obstacles such as a heavy academic workload. It is hard juggling academics and basketball during the long season."

Hughes, a political science major, says that after he graduates, he wants to either work in something involving sales and trading, or perhaps go overseas to play basketball in Europe. No matter which of these two options he chooses, though, he'll be happy to take with him what he's learned from playing basketball in the Ivy League.

Considered one of the most all-around athletic players in the Ivy League, Hughes was seventh in the league-and second on the team-in rebounding with almost six rebounds per game, led Yale in steals with 35, and was fourth in points at 7.7 points per game. Aside from his statistical prowess, he also received the George McReynolds Award, given to the team's best defender.

Hughes, a New Haven native who grew up blocks away from the Yale campus, originally wanted to play Division I basketball at a college away from his hometown. "Eventually I smartened up and realized Yale was the best decision for my future," he said.

Playing basketball in the Ivy League, however, hasn't been easy for Hughes. "Playing against teams like Princeton and Brown is tough because they slow the game down, and a guy like me would thrive most in an up-tempo game," he said.

"In high school, I could excel on pure instinct. I never had to think much during a game; things came easy and naturally," Hughes said. "In college, just to be able to get playing time takes a lot of work."

Even in his sophomore year, Hughes was able to dominate the boards, finishing sixth in the league with 6.2 rebounds per game. He had three double-doubles that year, including a 20-point, 10-rebound effort in just 21 minutes against then-No. 1 Wake Forest.

Though he didn't start a single game as a freshman, his defensive potential was easy to spot-he ranked fourth on the team with 21 steals. He received the John C. Cobb Memorial Award as the team's top freshman that year, sharing the honor with teammate Sam Kaplan. However, what Hughes is most proud of is what he has accomplished off the court and in the classroom. "I am really proud of the fact that I have been able to maintain a 3.0 GPA," he said. "Some people may not think of that as a big deal, but I do."