UH's Truscott mixes family, basketball
By Audrey Warren
Daily Cougar Staff
Soft-spoken 6-8 forward Louis Truscott is often quick to display a broad
smile.
Kevin Harwerth/The Daily Cougar
Junior forward Louis Truscott posts up in the lane against
Rice. Truscott was just named Conference USA player of the week.
With an air of humility, the 23-year-old Truscott is coerced into discussing
his achievements — reaching a career-high 26 points and 16
rebounds last week and currently being tied for third in Conference
USA with seven double-doubles.
It's no wonder that with the work the junior forward has put into his
game, Truscott was recognized Monday as the C-USA Player of the Week.
Truscott's gentle demeanor is quickly shed when he steps on the court,
where he's been described as a hungry, confident and dedicated player
in his first season at UH after transferring from Nebraska.
"I have a goal in each game to get 10-plus rebounds, because if I get
10-plus rebounds then I'll get 10-plus points," he said.
Truscott said one of the distinct differences between Big 12 and C-USA
play is a newfound freedom.
"Coach Ray (McCallum) gives us more freedom. (He) lets us create on
our own," Truscott said. "I think it's nice because the (Nebraska) system
limits your game."
During games McCallum said he could always count on Truscott to bring
energy.
"He's going to go after balls and he's going to compete and that's something
that we need, and part of the building process is, we want hungry
people in here, and he's a hungry young man."
There were many factors playing a role in the Houston native's decision
to attend UH.
"In Nebraska I wasn't able to get home that much," he said. "That was
tough for me, so when there was an opportunity for me to come home I just
seized it."
Learning of Truscott's return, teammate George Williams said he was
excited.
"He was a legend in high school," said Williams. "Everyone knew who
he was."
Once back in Houston, Truscott's wife Linda, whom he married in 1998,
took on a job in the basketball office at UH. Truscott said trying to raise
and support a family can be tough, especially with stipulations that
prevent UH athletes from having jobs.
Despite his hectic schedule, Truscott said he still makes it home to
see his 3-year-old daughter Janiah and his wife. Truscott, a psychology
major
and African-American Studies minor, said he wants to continue his basketball
career after college.
"It's my goal to play professionally, but I know that chances are slim
because there are so many people playing, and so I'm taking education first,"
he said.
For now though, Truscott is focused on the season at hand.
"Every night, I just want to help the team," he said.
His teammates say Truscott has done just that: "He's been doing what
he's always done; playing hard and playing well," Williams said.
—With additional reporting by Keenan Singleton, Daily Cougar Staff
