Golson off and running
Recovery from coronavirus difficult, but freshman opens with strong showing
Siena freshman forward Colin Golson was hit hard by coronavirus.
Golson didn’t play in Siena’s first four games after he contracted the virus and needed time to clear the COVID -19 medical protocols.
He said he had cold sweats and chills.
“Like the first maybe two or three days, it was terrible,” Golson said during a Zoom call Wednesday. “But other than that, I still felt pretty good. They’re just sort of being cautious since the kid at Florida went down.”
Golson was referring to Florida star Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed during a game on Dec. 12. He was hospitalized for several days and isn’t expected to play again this season. Johnson tested positive for COVID -19 during the summer.
Golson finally got on the court last weekend at Rider and showed no ill effects from the virus — or the 10month layoff since he’d last played a game in high school in Detroit.
He averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while
shooting 56 percent from the field in the weekend sweep of Rider. The 6-7 lefty with the 7-foot wingspan scored inside and made 3 of 6 3-pointers.
He earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, becoming the second Saint in as many weeks to win it, making his college debut. Freshman Aidan Carpenter accomplished that last week.
“It was just fun getting back out there, just reacquainting myself with actually playing a game,” Golson said. “I’m honored to take the Rookie of the Week, but it was just like what I’m told to do.”
Golson and the Saints (6-0 overall, 6-0 MAAC) are scheduled to return to action against Saint Peter’s at Alumni Recreation Center on Friday and Saturday.
King happy to get MAAC Player of Week
Siena sophomore guard Jordan King won his first MAAC Player of the Week honor after averaging 21.5 points and making 9 of 14 3-pointers against Rider.
It was a weekend that showcased all the progress the CBA graduate has made since walking on at Siena last season.
“It felt good,” King said.
“Looking back at last season, I don’t think I ever would have seen myself getting this award. I just put in a lot of work in the offseason, and I’m just happy to see that hard work is paying off. Also got to give credit to my teammates and my coaches because without them this wouldn’t be possible.”
Siena coach Carmen Maciariello pointed to the strength and conditioning work King did during the spring and summer.
“I think he understands what’s needed of a Division I college basketball player in our system,” Maciariello said. “Being able to do a multitude of things. He can shoot the ball. He can play off the ball screen. He understands the spacing. He understands how hard he has to guard. I think he’s done a great job in the weight room, especially in the summer during COVID and everything else going on.”
Saint Peter’s coach Shaheen Holloway, scheduled to face King on Friday and Saturday, said he looks like a different player than last year.
“Last year, he was like a spotup shooter,” Holloway said. “This year, he’s doing everything. His confidence has grown.”
Pickett still day-to-day in hamstring recovery
Maciariello said junior point guard Jalen Pickett is still “dayto-day” in his recovery from a
hamstring injury. The Saints have won all three games since Pickett got hurt against Fairfield.
Maciariello said Pickett has been on the court and done some shooting.
“He hasn’t picked up 94 feet and played in a game, so that’s why he’s day-to-day,” Maciariello said. “I’m not going to know that until I put him on the court and he says, ‘Coach I can do this,’ or ‘Hey, I need to guard this guy,’ or ‘I can push off.’ … He’s in a good spot. He’s not feeling any pain, but you still won’t know until he has to be in a defensive stance for 30 seconds and box out and go after a loose ball and come off a ball screen and stop on a dime and shoot a pull-up ( jumper).”