MISSOULA — Rollie Worster did things on the basketball court at Missoula Hellgate High that didn’t seem possible for a high school basketball player.
Now, Worster is starting as a freshman at point guard for the Utah State Aggies.
After a slightly rocky start to the season, Worster has settled in at his new home in Logan, Utah.
“I just think the biggest thing is just go play my game and not think about it," Worster told MTN Sports. "There was a stretch there where I think I was struggling a little bit and I just feel a lot more comfortable now, especially with the experience through the season.”
The 6-foot-3 freshman guard and former Hellgate quarterback is averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game as the Aggies sit at 14-5 overall this season, including an 11-2 mark in the Mountain West Conference, good enough for first place in league play.
Worster, a two-time Gatorade player of the year in Montana, has started every game for Utah State and has averaged 27.5 minutes per game.
“I have the utmost confidence in myself and I think just having the backing of my teammates, coaches, friends and family and everyone having confidence in me too just really helps me especially at the start of the year," Worster said. "Coming in, to be able to play a lot, and have the confidence just to keep doing my thing on the court.”
Worster's performance as a true freshman on the top team in the Mountain West has gotten the attention of local media in the larger Salt Lake City market as well as the occasional national spotlight, with some tabbing him as one of the best freshmen in the country.
Worster says he’s been able to enjoy the praise, but at the end of the day there’s just one goal.
“Obviously all of that is great to be recognized for our team and just for me and stuff, like that’s really cool and I appreciate it. But I think the biggest thing is just focusing on us and what we are doing to be the best we can be as a squad and I think that’s just the biggest thing honestly," Worster said. "You know, I love all that stuff but at the end of the day it’s about winning for our team and that’s what I focus on the most.”
