By: Katie Vulich
It’s a hot July day, and Ben Weyer is in the gym working on his jump shot.
“We lift at 6 every morning over the summer and it is easy to feel unmotivated,” junior team captain Adam Eberhard said. “Ben does a great job of keeping the energy up and keeping everyone going.”
Every time he goes up for a shot he is reminded of a cold March day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 79-68 loss to Fairmont State ended Bellarmine’s season but lit a fire in Weyer.
The ache and chill from the season-ending loss is what motivated Weyer to turn up the heat in the gym.
“In the offseason, I just tried to be consistent with my workouts and do something each day,” Weyer said.
Bellarmine coaches are impressed with Weyer and his burning desire to improve his game.
“He looks like a completely different human from when he first arrived on campus. As he’s transformed his body he’s also added a more complete skill set,” assistant coach Doug Davenport said.
Weyer hails from Ft. Thomas, Ky. His range on the court and ability to fire off shots earned him the nickname The Ft. Thomas Flamethrower.
“Ben is and will always be one of the better shooters in the league, if not the country, but he’s now learning how to use that as a weapon,” Doug Davenport said. “Defenders feel compelled to run at them and now he’s learned how to attack closeouts to create shots for other guys.”
Weyer’s success can be attributed to a number of factors but it’s mostly, his presence on the court. At the end of his freshman year Weyer spent an average of 11.8 minutes on the floor whereas this season he spends nearly 25 minutes on the floor per game.
“It’s pretty simple. His teammates see him shoot every day in individual instruction and practice, they expect him to make shots and encourage him to keep shooting every time he’s open” Doug Davenport said.
Last year, the Knights looked to seniors Al Davis and Rusty Troutman to have the hot hands. Weyer understood their absence on the court was an opportunity to elevate his presence and ignite his team.
“I knew I could have a bigger role on this year’s team and be more of a contributor to the team,” Weyer said. “I am working on driving the ball so that I can be more than just a shooter as well as being quicker on defense and being in the right spots.”
The sophomore class is essential to Bellarmine’s scorching start to the season. Weyer is joined by Alex Cook, Caleb Taylor and transfer Parker Chitty. Every sophomore has seen time on the court in more than 75 percent of the games played.
Weyer’s success stands out from his classmates because of his dramatic improvement.
“I think I am personally playing with more confidence in myself this year, and I’m playing with the guys, we all touch the ball.” Weyer said.
His teammates have noticed the difference as well.
“I feel like Ben has come out of his shell more this year. I think it’s mainly because he has freshman year under his belt, and we all know how it is adapting to the college life during the first year,” Taylor said.
Cook said: “Ben has become a better overall basketball player from last year and that comes with experience. One year of practice and individuals can really help a player grow and develop into our style of play.”
The Knight’s ability to share the ball is the kindling of Weyer’s fire.
“Being a part of this team helped me develop as a player because we all share the ball so well and play so well together. Also, my teammates are a lot of fun to play with,” Weyer said.
There is no doubt Weyer’s success is elevated by his teammates but there is no denying the amount of individual commitment he made to becoming a better player.
“I think Ben’s confidence comes 100 percent from his own hard work. Ben is as hard of a worker as we have in the program, based on his natural talent and work ethic he deserves to have success,” Doug Davenport said.
The Kentucky winter chill is a dreadful reminder of South Dakota’s pain but is only fuel for Weyer and the Knight’s fire.