Tampa Star Reflects on Past and Looks to Future

Just like his idol, Allen Iverson, University of Tampa men's basketball player Rashad Callaway has never been one to shy away from the contact of bigger, stronger players on the court. The junior was overlooked in high school partly because of his lack of a "Division I body" and was viewed as undersized. At 5-foot-10-inches, the guard has been larger than life for the Spartans since his freshman year, starting all 58 games for the team in that span.

During the 2008-09 basketball season, Tampa basketball fans saw Callaway emerge as a leader of the team. As a sophomore, he averaged 18.0 points and 4.5 assists per game both of which led UT and ranked in the top three among all Sunshine State Conference players. The success of the Spartan on the court also led to his being named to both the Daktronics and National Association of Basketball Coaches all-South Region Teams and most recently an honorable mention preseason All-American.

A native of Bayonne, N.J., Callaway comes from a whole family of basketball players and the game is practically in his blood. He began playing the game at age 2 when Callaway recalls playing on his older brother's Nerf basketball rim and his love for the game grew from there.

But what can University of Tampa fans expect from Callaway and the Spartans this coming season? "While we are lacking in size, we have an opportunity to make up for it by playing team ball, blocking out, and by always playing our hardest," says the junior. This lesson is one Callaway is passing on to his team from his father who used to say, "no matter who you go up against, work hard. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best."

As for Callaway himself, Spartan fans should see the fruits of his offseason labor in his game. The guard specifically mentioned his improved quickness and his increased shooting accuracy. The junior spent time this summer playing in an adult league back in New Jersey as well as playing in his first summer of the Bay Pro-Am league in Tampa, Fla. As a newcomer in the league, Callaway received rookie of the year and was an honorable mention for the pro-am's all-league team, which was consisted of the most outstanding players in the league.

While the awards the Spartan has received have been an honor, the junior management major says his proudest moment has nothing to do with individual honors, but rather is a team accomplishment from his high school playing days. The summer club team Callaway played with won the 15-and-under age group at the national championships sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union.

For those outside of club basketball circles, the AAU national championship is considered the most coveted tournament championship to hold. To top off the team's success, Tampa's Callaway took home all-tournament team honors along with two other members of his club team.

Those who know the junior are not surprised when he says he wants to keep playing basketball after his time with the Spartans is up. The NBA is on his radar, but the guard realizes the opportunities for NCAA Division II players making that move are slim. "Playing overseas is also an option. I just want to keep playing as long as possible," says Callaway.

In life after basketball, the guard hopes to make the move from playing on the court to being involved with the action around the court. He admits he would love to stay involved with sports in some fashion and believes coaching might even be a possibility. However, for right now, just like Allen Iverson, Callaway hopes to be "the Answer" to the prayers of Tampa Spartan fans night in, and night out during the coming season.

Written by Nate Wills