WVU G Erik Stevenson Takes Different Perspective on Phone Call with Mike Gansey

WVU G Erik Stevenson has found his stride again. Stevenson admitted two weekends ago that he’s gaining his confidence back and breaking what he calls a “Stevie slump.”

In Stevenson’s last four games, the fifth-year senior is averaging 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 46 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent from three. Stevenson has led West Virginia to a 3-1 record in those four games and back into the tournament hunt.

It wasn’t this easy-going for Stevenson early in Big 12 play. Stevenson had to bring his confidence back up after the Oklahoma State game.

WVU head coach Bob Huggins mentioned during Tuesday’s press conference that he got Stevenson on the phone with former WVU forward Mike Gansey.

“If you been around sports, you get tired of hearing the same voice. I get tired of hearing Erik’s voice now. That’s common in sports. You’re together so much, you’re in situations that are uncomfortable,” Huggins said. “You’ve got to find a way to slow it down a little bit.”

Huggins proceeded to mention that Stevenson has slowed it down and to his credit, has been a better teammate recently.

Gansey played at West Virginia from 2004-06 under John Beilein. Gansey was not a Huggins player, but the now-Cavaliers general manager was a transfer. Something that Stevenson can relate with. Stevenson and Gansey have different personalities, according to Huggins, which helps the different perspective.

“Mike’s got a calming effect on people,” Huggins said. “He’s not loud, he’s straight to the point.”

Getting Stevenson on the phone with Gansey for a different perspective was a pretty good call by Huggins.

Gansey averaged 14.4 points on 53 percent shooting during his two seasons at WVU. Gansey help lead the Mountaineers to an Elite-8 appearance in 2005 and Sweet-16 in 2006. The 6-foot-4 forward went on to play professional basketball until 2011 before making the transition to the front office world of basketball.

Gansey was promoted to the Cleveland Cavaliers general manager in February 2022.

For Stevenson, this is his last go-around in college basketball. The Lacey, Wa. native has eight regular season games to go and the clock is ticking. Stevenson has a huge goal to check off still, playing in the NCAA Tournament.