Senior guard Shane Rector was Tim Duryea’s first recruit after becoming the head coach of the Utah State men’s basketball team.
“I’ll always remember Shane in those terms,” Duryea said.
Duryea said it was Rector’s athleticism, quickness and basketball IQ that stuck out while recruiting him.
“We were looking for a guy that could make plays for his teammates, create things offensively off the dribble and he fit in perfectly for what we were looking for,” Duryea said.
Rector played his freshman year at Missouri and his sophomore year at Miami-Dade College, where former Aggie Darius Perkins spent two years before his career at Utah State.
“It was kind of like a little connection there and I just ended up in Logan,” Rector said.
Rector, who is from Bronx, NY, said although his experience at Utah State has been a bit of a culture shock, it has been fun.
“It’s been different from New York,” Rector said, “but it’s a great town and there’s a bunch of great people here.”
Duryea said Rector is a typical New York City guard, meaning he’s competitive, good with the ball, a creative finisher and able to make plays for both his teammates and himself.
“He’s a guy that takes one-on-one challenges and that’s typical of a New York City playground guard,” Duryea said. “He’s got a lot of athleticism and he’s fearless when he goes to the basket.”
Duryea said he is proud of Rector’s improvement in his 3-point shooting since arriving at Utah State. While a freshman at Missouri, Rector attempted only two treys, missing both. At Miami Dade, Rector shot 48.4 percent (44-of-91) from the 3-point line. During his junior season at USU, Rector was 33.3 percent from behind the arc (20-of-60) and in his senior season, he is 35.6 percent (21-of-59).
“He’s done a lot of work on it and quietly he’s having a very good senior year,” Duryea said.
Rector has appeared in 23 games thus far for the Aggies in his senior season, starting in 13. Rector recorded a season-high 18 points at Utah Valley on December 10, 2016, which included a pair of free throws with 1.6 seconds left in overtime to give the Aggies the 80-79 victory. Rector also had a career-high seven rebounds against Colorado State on January 21, 2017 and matched his career high of seven assists twice against NJIT (November 14, 2016) and again against Idaho State (Novenber 19, 2016). Rector leads the team in steals, averaging 1.2 per game and had a season-high five steals against Idaho State. So far during his final season, Rector has averaged 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
During his junior season, Rector appeared in all 31 games, starting in 12. Rector led Utah State in assists with 101, averaging 3.3 per game, and dished out five or more assists in six games. Rector also led the Aggies in steals with 38, including a career-high six at San Diego State on January 23, 2016. Rector’s six steals were the most in a single game since Jarobi Kemp’s six against UC Irvine in the Big West Tournament on March 11, 1994. Rector had a career-high 24 points against Wyoming on March 9 and averaged 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Duryea said he will miss Rector as someone who every night is “going to take the challenge of trying to win the game.”
“No game is too big for him, no moment is too big for him,” Duryea said. “He’s fearless, he’s very competitive and loves basketball. And I love guys that love basketball.”
Rector began playing basketball when he was about 4 or 5 years old. While growing up, Rector’s dad would play basketball, and Rector would go to the park with him and pick up the ball.
“He kind of just got me started,” Rector said.
Rector said he has not accomplished everything he hoped he would.
“I’ve got some goals in the works, so we’re getting there and we’re working toward them,” Rector said.
Number one on his list?
“I’m trying to play in the NBA,” Rector said.
After graduating with a degree in journalism and communication, Rector will try to play professionally.
When he is not playing basketball, Rector enjoys playing “NBA 2K”, “FIFA” and listening to music. Rector enjoys listening to New York artists, Fabolous, Future and Meek Mill.
Rector said his biggest accomplishment will be getting his degree.
“I’ll be graduating, so that will be a big accomplishment,” Rector said. “I know my family will be proud of me.”
Duryea said he is very proud of Rector.
“He came to a whole new part of the country, trusted us and he’s going to leave here with his degree,” Duryea said. “I’m extremely happy that he chose to make the decision that he did.”