Episcopal Academy’s Conner Delaney is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
A junior, Delaney averaged more than 11 points and seven assist per game for the EA boys’ basketball squad, and was one of only a handful of players selected to first team All-InterAc. EA boys’ basketball coach Craig Conlin said, “Conner is an outstanding leader and very competitive. A brilliant student of the game, and a future leader in whatever career he chooses.” Delaney maintains a 4.12 grade-point average at EA and scored a 35 out of 36 on the ACT Test. The EA junior is also a fine lacrosse defender, and has committed to Villanova University for the sport.
Q: What did it mean to you to be the point guard of an EA basketball squad that had its best season in six years?
A: It means a lot to be the point guard on this team. It has been great to learn my first two years from Mike Jolaoso, and just watching him in practice and in games, I have learned a lot on how to run a team and control the game. I feel like this season was an entire team effort to our great record, but it means a ton to know that my teammates trust me to be the point guard on a great team.
Q: You averaged more than seven assists per game this winter, and your coach lauds your on-court intelligence. Can you give us an example of how you “read” the opposing team’s defense that led to a key EA basket this season?
A: When you come down the court to start a new possession, you have to read and adjust to the defense that the other team is playing. Once you understand what the defense is, you have to read and react and just make a basketball play. Coach Conlin always tells us to just “Play Basketball” and not get stuck just running the play. That’s where most of my assists came from this year. Either improvising and driving to the lane and kicking out for shooters, or just making a smart decision to find the open guy.
Q: Who are your favorite basketball players? Are there any players that you try to pattern your game after?
A: I love to watch Chris Paul play. The way he runs the show and makes plays for his team is how I want to play. He is always in control of the game and never gets too high or too low. I also like to watch Klay Thompson and the way he can create his own shot. He is very good at the midrange pull up, and I like to think of this as a good part of my game also.
Q: What sparked your original interest in basketball? Who have been your biggest basketball mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?
A: My dad was the one who got me playing basketball. At an early age, I would love to go outside and shoot with him. He was my coach from age 5 up through my 8th grade year, and he has become my biggest mentor on and off the court. The most important thing he taught me was to control the floor, which is very important as a point guard.
Q: Your coach says you’ve been an outstanding leader on the EA basketball squad this season. How did you see your leadership role as a junior on the EA basketball squad, and what did you think was the best way of leading the team?
A: Even with two senior captains above me, I still saw myself as a leader on the team. As a point guard, I had to be a leader because i had to control the game, and respond to adversity. Whether it was going hard at practice, or speaking up in a huddle, I believe that I was able to show guys the right way play and how to win.
Q: You’re a defender on the EA boys’ lacrosse team. What originally sparked your interest in lacrosse, and what attracted to you to a defensive position?
A: I have been playing lacrosse since I was about 7 years old. It was just something all my friends were playing, so I started to play as well. I was always a midfielder, but once high school season started Freshman year, my coach, Andy Hayes, told me to play pole for a scrimmage, and it worked out well.
Q: What is your favorite school subject at EA, and why?
A: My favorite subject in school is either Math or Science. I have always been pretty good at both subjects, so I like to learn new things and I seem to pick up the material fast.
Q: You wear jersey No. 10 for EA basketball, and No. 20 for EA lacrosse. Is there a reason you chose those numbers – does either of them carry any special significance to you?
A: I wear No. 10 for basketball first off because there is no No. 5, which is my favorite number, but also because my dad wore No. 10 when he played in high school at O’Hara. For lacrosse, I wear No. 20 for no apparent reason. I guess it is just a number similar to 10.
Q: You will be playing lacrosse for Villanova. What attracted you to Villanova, and what others schools were in the running? What do you think you’d like to major in at Villanova? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: Both my parents graduated from Villanova [in 1991], so I had been introduced to the school at a young age. When it comes to lacrosse, they are a very good D1 program that has very good academics. It is the right size for me, and a good distance from home. For my major, I will probably do either Business or Engineering.
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in at EA other than basketball and lacrosse? What sparked your interest in these activities?
A: I was on the golf team sophomore year, and I am thinking of coming back for my senior year. I have always liked to golf, and my dad and I like to go out during the summer.
Fun facts – Conner Delaney
