FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 8, 2021) – A peculiar path accompanied by a special relationship has redshirt sophomore forward
Carson Towt comfortable in his new home.
Growing up in Gilbert, Ariz., Towt attended Gilbert High School where he was a three-year letterwinner, two-year starter and team captain for one year. As a senior, Towt was named 5A Conference Player of the Year and 5A San Tan Region Player of the Year. Ultimately leading his team to a 5A state championship as a senior, Towt had options on where he wanted to play his college ball.
"He's been a winner his whole life and is great to be around everyday," Burcar said.
Burcar and Towt have a relationship unlike any other and makes you believe that this fit was meant to be ever since Towt was young.
The two crossed paths when both of them were battling adversity after being injured and doing rehabilitation at the same rehab place when Towt was in seventh grade.
The trust that these two had in one another continued to grow throughout rehab and was a selling piece for Towt once Burcar was promoted to head men's basketball coach at NAU.
"He's believed in me since day one so I knew it was the right fit," Towt said.
"When you do something wrong he's going to get on you, but when you do something right, he's going to let you know," Towt added.
Towt mentioned how his transition to NAU was an uphill battle at first but salutes his teammates for making him feel at home.
"We have high character guys and I felt welcomed here from day one," Towt said.
Coming to a new place and being a part of a new team, the first thing you want to do is establish yourself on the court and start building that trust amongst your teammates. Unfortunately for Towt, a plethora of injuries kept him out of all summer workouts last year. But thanks to the late 2020-21 season start, Towt was ready for game one against the University of Arizona.
During Towt's redshirt freshman campaign, he appeared in all 22 games with 19 starts, averaging 5.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He ranked second on the team in rebounds and assists and led the team with 13 blocks.
Dealing with nagging injuries throughout the season, Towt is ecstatic to get completely healthy and back to himself during the offseason.
"As a freshman, being so young, you could see his leadership qualities continued to grow as the season went on," Burcar said.
In the midst of a tough season record-wise for the Lumberjacks, Towt said,"We really stuck together and handled adversity well. Our record may not show it, but we worked hard day in and day out."
In an up and down year, Towt's hard work was rewarded in a gigantic way halfway through the season when Burcar awarded Towt with a full scholarship.
"We want to reward the guys that are here and are committed to getting better every single day and he's one of those guys," Burcar said.
Towt talked about how his parents had been helping him financially and how thankful he was for them. Getting healthy on the court and being able to get a scholarship, Towt had this to say, "It was a relief off my shoulders as well as my parents shoulders."
With a number of transfers coming to NAU for this upcoming season, Towt is stoked to get things going again and see what next season holds for the Lumberjacks.
"It's brick by brick and the dam is eventually going to break," Towt said.
The culture is changing under Burcar and with Towt having full trust in his coach, the sky's the limit moving forward for these two and this program.
"We just have a special relationship that will continue to grow in the upcoming years," Towt said.
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