This year, senior Chris Sloan aims to take Saint Louis
University men’s basketball team to new heights. He is dedicated,
hard working and one of the most balanced players in Conference
USA–and people are taking notice.

Sloan was initially attracted to SLU because of “the coaching
staff, the offer they gave and the chance to play close to family
and friends,” he said.

A 6-foot-7-inch, 215-pound forward and native of St. Charles,
Mo., Sloan has played an integral role in the success of SLU
basketball. Sloan averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds for last
year’s squad, which failed to make an appearance in the NCAA
Tournament.

Sloan was, however, the Billikens’ third leading scorer last
year, including a 13-point, nine-rebound performance against
Minnesota in the National Initiation Tournament.

Sloan had his fair share of quality games last year: 14 points,
four rebounds and two assists against Cincinnati; 13 points, 11
rebounds and two overtime three-point field goals against Tulane;
eight points, five boards, one block, one assist and one steal
against East Carolina; nine points, five rebounds and two assists
against Southern Mississippi in the C-USA quarterfinal; and 12
points, eight rebounds and two steals against UAB in the
semifinals.

Sloan improves each year. His minutes played per game have
increased from 9.8 to 20.2, to 25.6 in each of his first three
seasons, respectively.

Sloan has also worked on developing marksmanship from the
floor.

He shot just .385 from the field as a freshman, but increased
his accuracy in each of the next two seasons, to .427 during his
sophomore year and .482 last year. His 37 steals and nine blocked
shots during his sophomore year were enough to earn him the team’s
Outstanding Defensive Player award, which attests to Sloan’s
all-around ability.

His long and lanky frame allows him to not only play down low in
the post, but also around the perimeter. His diving for loose balls
and jostling for rebounds has earned him more than 40 starts over
the last two years.

Sloan’s work ethic is truly an example to all. He was given the
Most Inspirational Player award in each of the past two seasons for
his efforts.

Sloan has high hopes for this year’s team. He openly admits that
last year he tried to “defer to the older guys–to the four
seniors–and tried to fill a role.”

This season, Sloan is focused on “being a senior leader
everyday.” His goals–like his style of play–are effective, direct
and to the point.

“[I want to] win the conference and get into the tournament,”
Sloan said.

Sloan has shown signs of becoming a senior leader after guiding
the Billikens to a 68-58 win over Athletes in Action, a game in
which he scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The men’s basketball team is ready for take-off, and with Chris
Sloan leading the way, it should be a smooth ride.