Growing up, Russell Wesley always dreamed the Marriott Center would be a "sweet place to play someday." Today he will finally get that opportunity when UVSC plays at BYU.
The game will have special meaning for Wesley since his older brother Mekeli played four years in a Cougar uniform and his parents graduated from the school.
"Me going back there is a special thing," Wesley said. "It will be fun. I've always been a BYU fan. Now to play them this year will be exciting because my brother also played there."
Wesley's opportunity to play at the Marriott Center today almost never came. After graduating from Provo High School in 1999, Wesley believed he had the skills to play college basketball. The only problem was that no college coach wanted to take a chance on a skinny 6-foot-4, 180-pounder.
"I always thought I had the skills but no one really saw me because I was undersized and skinny," Wesley said.
After high school, he tried out for the UVSC team in 1999-2000 but wasn't able to get past final cuts. Instead of playing college hoops, Wesley found himself playing in various city leagues. After a year at Utah Valley and working part-time, Wesley left for a two-year LDS mission in the Philippines with every intention of playing college basketball when he returned.
"I thought I had the skills to play after high school," Wesley said. "I just thought if I keep working hard maybe after my mission I'd grow or get stronger to get an opportunity."
That opportunity came last year when, one week after returning from his mission, Mekeli Wesley introduced him to UVSC coach Dick Hunsaker. Russell Wesley was forced to try out for the team again. Only this time he made it.
"I felt like I had something to prove," Wesley said. "I had to prove to UVSC that I can make the team. That was my goal to come back and play college ball."
Said Hunsaker: "I wasn't excited about it at all especially in a walk-on circumstance."
But once Wesley made the team, it didn't take long for Hunsaker to become excited.
"He's probably the favorite walk-on I've ever had," said the 27-year coaching veteran. "His attitude, his selflessness and his desire has been the best. I'm a big Russell Wesley fan. It's been a privilege to have him on the team. I look forward to having him through his college career."
This year he has appeared in every game in Utah Valley's first year as a Div. I school. As Wesley continues to improve his game at UVSC, he can't help but to draw on the lessons he's learned from his older brother, who is now playing in Belgium.
"Don't be afraid was the biggest thing he said," Wesley said. "One thing he taught me was that he really didn't fear anyone. He had a mind-set that he didn't care. Even though you're younger or littler, put that aside, be tough-minded and don't be timid."
Since earning the right to wear the UVSC green and gold, Wesley has certainly taken that philosophy to heart. His coach has given him the nickname "The Hustler."
"If there is a loose ball I will always go for it and dive," Wesley said. "I like to play defense and 'D' people up. I like to be a hard-nosed player."
"Those are all attributes I like in a player," Hunsaker said. "He backs down from no one, is fearless of no one. He came back here with simply nothing. I'm certainly committed he'll have a scholarship until he graduates. He's earned it."
Wesley also hopes to earn his bachelor's in aviation science and become a pilot. Until then, Wesley is going to continue to work hard to make his presence felt on the basketball court, especially today.
"It's a wonderful thing," Hunsaker said on Wesley playing in the Marriott Center. "I'm sure it's beyond Russell's wildest dreams and expectations did he ever think he would be playing on that court. The nice side of the story of athletics is Russell Wesley."