Macon relaxed, ready for bigger role

Redshirt junior Elijah Macon doesn’t need any reminders. His time is now.

Throughout his first three years Macon filled a situational role off the bench for West Virginia on the court while dealing with a redshirt season and personal loss away from it.

It hasn’t gone exactly how he pictured but now with a clear mind, thanks to meditation, and reinvigorated spirit after overcoming grief, he is ready to make the most of his opportunities.

“I’m just ready to take on that role and fill in. I’m ready to play and do my part this year and do what coach expects out of me,” Macon said.

That expectation would be to rebound the basketball after the Mountaineers lost their top two in that department from a season ago in Devin Williams and Jonathan Holton. Gone from the roster are a 17.1 rebounds per game leaving a hole for Macon to fill.

And so far so good.

“He’s tried to rebound it a little bit more. He understands we lost a lot from a rebounding standpoint so I think he’s focused a little bit more on that,” head coach Bob Huggins said.

Macon will assume a much larger role than the one he is accustomed to after averaging only 13.1 minutes per game with 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest throughout his first two years. That means becoming more of a vocal leader as well and he has embraced that aspect.

To prepare for his expanded role he also has cut 12-pounds off his frame by increasing his conditioning and cutting out fatty foods over the course of the summer. It’s a decision he made on his own accord after Huggins asked him to be more active and run the floor than he has in the past.

And now one of his biggest weakness, could be a strength.

“It gives me a big advantage because some bigs won’t be able to run the floor,” he said.

Macon has also made it a priority to be a much more frequent face in the gym something that had been an issue for him during his first couple years.

“It’s better,” Huggins said.

His teammates have taken notice as well.

“He’s figuring it out offensively, defensively and it’s making it easier. He’s an extreme athlete and as he’s figuring it out it’s getting scarier and scarier,” senior guard Tarik Phillip said.

Macon also has been working on developing his shot and working to overcome things off the court after the passing of his mother. It’s something that has affected him on and off the court.

“Nobody wants to lose their mom at a young age. I was out of it mentally,” he said.

But Macon is now active in church and is focusing on Chinese meditation and Zen music to help him relax and focus more on what he needs to accomplish on an off the court.

“I try to listen to it to relax,” he said.

Now relaxed and focused, Macon is ready for his new spot on the team.

“I’m excited of course but ready to get it going,” he added.