This is the first of several “Meet the Norse” features I’ll be rolling out throughout the summer, and I wanted to kick things off with a major addition to the roster: Eric Acker. A dynamic transfer from La Salle, Acker arrives in Highland Heights with high expectations and a clear vision for his role this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesA product of New York City, Acker made a name for himself at Eagle Academy, where he powered the team to a city championship. When Eric entered the portal, Coach Darrin Horn didn’t hesitate to make him a priority. “We targeted Eric immediately,” Horn said, noting that Acker’s NYC background and three years of high-major collegiate experience make him a natural leader for this year’s squad. Bringing a high-octane competitive energy to the floor, Acker is exactly the type of guard who thrives in the Norse system.
As mentioned above, Eric arrives to Highland Heights from La Salle, where he spent the past two seasons. His freshman year was at Long Island University in Brooklyn. In his year at LIU, he averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. His first year at La Salle, he averaged 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. His second year (last season), he averaged 6 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. While he is a career 31% 3 point shooter, he improved his deep ball % to 36% this past season, showing that growth year over year. He had a lower usage rate at La Salle; however, he remained highly efficient. He’s going to be asked to have that usage rate increase this year at NKU, and he will need to maintain that efficiency.
On defense, he had 18 steals for La Salle last year, with just 16 personal fouls committed, showing he can be disruptive on defense without fouling at a considerably high rate. NKU’s coaching staff has a proven track record of bringing in transfer guards who thrive in the Norse system, and I believe Eric fits that mold.
This season, NKU is going to play an MTE with Georgia Southern and Bellarmine as the other two participants. Norse fans might remember that NKU hosted their last one in 23/24 with LIU and Texas A&M CC. Eric was on that LIU team and was arguably the best player on the court. Eric put up 22/9/4 in game one vs. Texas A&M CC, and then followed it up with a 13/1/4 performance vs. NKU in their second game.
Everything that I have heard coming into this summer indicates that Eric is going to get some freedom (akin to what we saw with DO last year) to let his game show up. While he’s not a direct comparison to Oday, the freedom he had last season is what I expect Eric to get. The addition of Eric this season is one that should get NKU fans extremely excited headed into the new season, and a hyper-competitive Horizon League. With the current rules, Eric has 1 additional year of eligibility, however, with incoming 5-in-5 rules, he will likely have 2 years left to play.
The below is from realgm.com to help show his stats year over year. Top box is what most fans look at, the second box is the advanced stats for you number nerds like myself.
Exclusive: Q&A with Eric:
Q: What made NKU stand out when you were in the portal?
A: What made NKU stand out from other programs was the immediate connection I had with the staff. My most important thing was relationships and how can I maximize my talent everyday, the coaches made it clear on my visit what they want for me and it stood out a lot.
Q: How was the portal recruitment different from coming out of high school?
A: The portal recruitment was very different than high school, in high school I was very under recruited but blessed to have some schools on the east coast, but these last couple of years it’s been varying in different states even in the west coast, just shows how trusting the process in being confident in your game allows many doors to open for you.
Q: Who deserves the most credit for getting you to this point?
A: I wouldn’t say it’s only one person who deserved credit, but I’ll mention my hometown friends and family for always pushing me and not letting me put my foot off the brakes, I’ll also credit myself because of course I am the one that has to go and showcase that it’s possible.
Q: What’s one thing about your game you’re most excited for Norse fans to see?
A: One thing I’m most excited for Norse fans this year is my way to create for myself, also being able to get loose and create some dunks, bringing energy for the team as well.
Q: What do you want fans to know about you that has nothing to do with basketball?
A: One thing I would love for the fans to know outside of basketball is I have my own clothing brand that is constantly growing by the day, and I’m always here to listen to people’s ideas on things to make, very big on community ideas and allowing people to feel Comfortable wearing the brand but also relaying a message behind it.
Q: Have you tried Skyline yet?
A: I have not yet tried skyline, I’m definitely looking forward to doing so some time this year!!!
Everything Always Adapts (EAA)
On Eric’s clothing brand site, this is one of the first things you see, and it’s a great life lesson overall. The purpose of the name “EAA” is to encourage individuals to maintain self-confidence regardless of their circumstances. Everything and everyone gains the ability to ADAPT
Check out his store here: http://everythingadapts.com/
Follow Eric on Instagram: http://instagram.com/_iameric2/
Cover Picture Courtesy of NKU Athletics