The Luce Center is electrified as basketball comes around for the 2023-2024 season.
After a successful year, Asbury brings back a key player from last season. Caleb Wallis, a transfer from Rio Grande, will continue his vital role with the Eagles. Heading into his senior season and second year at Asbury, he has high hopes for this year’s team.
“We’re a really young team, but we are super talented, and we are super hungry,” Wallis said. “From this team this year, you’ll expect us to be very defensive-minded, we’re going to score the ball a lot, but we are going to come out scrappy and try to play a lot harder than the other team.
Like many college athletes, Wallis’ sport has been a big part of his life. He has played basketball for most of his life, which was part of the reason he continued his athletic career in college.
“I’ve been playing basketball probably about 14 or 15 years now,” Wallis said. “The biggest reason I decided to play basketball in college was just honestly the love I had for it, and wanting to pursue that goal and achieve that goal was something I’ve always said I wanted to do. To be able to be here and doing it is truly a blessing.”
After transferring to Asbury, Wallis has developed a different outlook when it comes to being a college athlete.
“Honestly, transferring from a very secular university, it always just felt like, ‘what can Caleb do for us, how can he help us win games,” Wallis said. “Since being at Asbury, it has honestly felt like the mindset Jesus came to earth with: we’re going to try to serve Caleb. Not what can we get out of Caleb, but what can we do for Caleb? That’s something I’ve really appreciated about Asbury.”
Transferring from Rio Grande to Asbury was an adjustment. Wallis was unsure of what to expect when he committed to Asbury.
“Being a transfer is a little bit scary,” Wallis said. “You’ve built and developed relationships at your old school, you’ve developed your leadership role and position on the team there. Transferring to a new school is definitely a little intimidating and a little scary. But honestly, everybody here has been super welcoming, I didn’t feel like I was stepping on toes as soon as I got here. And it just felt like I was able to be me, I didn’t feel like I had to try to be someone I wasn’t.”
Basketball has been a huge part of Wallis’ journey, but he just recently had a significant addition to his life. He got married to his wife, Kayla, in June 2023.
“It’s the best decision I ever could have made, she is the most supportive woman I’ve ever met. It’s been great to have somebody in your corner at all times. Especially when you come home, and you’re stressed about a game or a practice, reminding you of who you were created to be and your identity in Christ.”
Last season, Wallis averaged 12.6 points per game and 3.7 assists. He is expected to pick up right where he left off.
The men’s basketball team took on Centre College last night for their first game of the season and will be back in action tomorrow at the Lipscomb University Exhibition Game in Nashville, TN.
The men will play in the Luce again on Nov. 14 as they take on Berea. The ASDN game coverage will be live-streamed throughout campus.