Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Sophomore Schwartz Aims To Expand Game
November 01, 2018 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER — Sophomore forward D'Shawn Schwartz came to Colorado last season as one of the Buffs' top recruits.
After a productive freshman season shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and playing in all 32 games, Schwartz looks to carry that momentum into his sophomore year while also honing a new skill set.
With sophomore 7-footer Dallas Walton out for the season with an ACL tear, Schwartz acknowledges the need for more aggression on the boards.
"It's going to be super important," Schwartz said on the significance of rebounding. "I think that's something I've really improved in my game … if I can get that together then I think I'll be very good this year. Both offensive and defensive rebounding are going to be needed without Dallas (Walton)."
Schwartz averaged just 1.8 rebounds per game last season and aims to increase that average with Walton not being in the mix.
"We've asked D'Shawn to be more aggressive and I think he's done a good job with that," said head coach Tad Boyle. "D'Shawn needs to be a guy that shoots the ball when he's open because he's a good shooter, and he needs to be able to attack the rim off the dribble because he's a big, strong 6-foot-6 wing who's got a good body."
Schwartz was at his best in big games last season.
The Colorado Springs native had two games contributing a season-high 10 points. The first game was when the Buffs upset then-No. 14 Arizona at home, with Schwartz going 3-of-4 from the field in 15 minutes. The second game took place in Colorado's win over Arizona State in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament, when he went 4-of-7 from the field and the Buffaloes as a team shot 62 percent from beyond the arc.
"D'Shawn needs to think about making plays for others as well as himself because as he becomes more aggressive, he's going to have people helping off of him," Boyle said. "If he has a mismatch and has a smaller wing on him, people are going to be in the lane and he's got to be able to play off two feet."
Schwartz tallied just nine assists last season. If he were to also improve on making plays for his teammates, the arsenal of talent around Schwartz can flourish because of it.
"We're a really deep team," he said. "I think any five guys we put on the floor can be good for us."
The Buffs will play an exhibition game Saturday against the Colorado School of Mines, with tipoff set for 4 p.m.
