Nate Axelrod
OHIO WESLEYAN
Andy Winters last dribbled a basketball for Ohio Wesleyan almost two years before Nate Axelrod enrolled at the university, but the All-American’s large footprints and fingerprints still were all over Branch Rickey Arena.
There couldn’t have been more weight on Axelrod’s back considering that he, like Winters, was the starting point guard on a team that had been treating its fan base to 20-victory seasons and appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament.
But Axelrod, fresh out of Dublin Coffman, couldn’t wait to get started.
“When I came in I had higher expectations for myself, and my dad would tell me I was setting the bar too high,” Axelrod said. “Now, looking back at everything, I would have said to myself, ‘Man, you’re crazy.’ We filled out a form before the season for coach (Mike) DeWitt about our individual and team goals, and I wrote that I wanted to make the all-conference team as a freshman and be newcomer of the year.”
Not only was Axelrod voted North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year after averaging 16.2 points and 5.9 assists per game in 2014-15, but he also was the D3Hoops. com national rookie of the year.
The Bishops won the regular-season conference championship with a 16-2 record, played in the NCAA tournament and finished 22-6.
Axelrod, now a senior, has continued to pile up big numbers going into the conference tournament opener against Wabash at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Branch Rickey Arena. He is Ohio Wesleyan’s career leader in assists (634), is tied for first in career threepointers (207) and is third in scoring (1,939).
During his time, the team has won 22, 25, 21 and, this season, 17 games, and the Battling Bishops have won three NCAC regular-season championships and played in three NCAA tournaments.
“It is kind of kicking in that my career is almost over,” Axelrod said. “I knew all about Andy Winters. Andy was a great player and even a better person. He congratulated me when I broke his assist record. The assist record means a lot to a point guard. I knew I had some big shoes to fill. I had a lot of pressure on me. I think I’ve handled it.”
There are few stories better in athletics than a little man playing tall, but the 5-foot-7, 155-pound Axelrod always thinks he has the advantage. He is so fast on his feet and his hands are so quick that opponents will be glad to see him go.
“Growing up, I always was the shortest kid on every team and always have had to work harder than the others,” he said. “I’ve used it as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. I’m quicker. I’ve also been blessed to be playing in coach DeWitt’s system that gives the point guard a lot of responsibility and freedom.”
Playing professionally overseas does interest Axelrod, but so does coaching at the college level. He is majoring in finance economics and minoring in accounting.
“I’ve thought about the business world, but I’ve been around basketball for so long I’m not ready to give it up,” he said.
Vannatta, a senior guard from Upper Arlington, is averaging 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists for a team that is 19-10. Cannon, a redshirt sophomore forward from Johnstown, has started 26 of 27 games and is averaging 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds for a team that has a 22-5 record.