Caleb Shaw found out the year away from Arizona, playing his first college basketball season at Northern Colorado, there was no place like home.
And no better place to learn the game than from his uncle and dad.
With uncle Bryce Drew leading Grand Canyon’s men’s team and his father Casey Shaw an assistant, Caleb Shaw, who transferred in from Northern Colorado two years ago, has given the 15-5 Lopes a boost off the bench.
He’s shown more control with his aggressive, fearless approach, leading to better results.
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Shaw made The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona high school basketball team in 2021-22, when he led Chandler Valley Christian to the 3A state title. He had 8 points, making 2 of 4 3-pointers, in a 74-59 win at Southern Utah last week. He followed that up with 12 points, again making 2 of 4 3-pointers, in a 79-66 win at Utah Tech.
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Shaw, who has started three of the 20 games he’s played in, isn’t feeling like he’s got to take the ball hard to the basket every time he touches it.
“We’re trying to change some habits that he has, where he kind of puts his head down and goes,” Casey Shaw said. “It’s good to be fearless. But I think he’s gotten better. We need him to come off the bench and not just be a bull. Come in and move the offense.”
GCU (15-5, 5-1) returns home this week to take on Seattle U (8-12, 3-3) on Thursday at 9 p.m., in a game televised on ESPNU. The Lopes then take on Utah Valley (15-6, 7-0) on Saturday at 6 p.m., in a game that will have major WAC regular-season implications.
GCU’s only WAC loss was at Utah Valley on Jan. 9. Since then, the Lopes have won their last four, outscoring their opponents by an average of 20.3 points. Utah Valley has won 10 games in a row.
Shaw has scored a total of 33 points during this streak after going two games in a row without scoring.
“I’ve kind of gotten into the flow, as a team, really,” Shaw said. “Especially, these last four games. Figuring out each other’s rhythm, just kind of flowing with that throughout the game.”
Shaw came into the season at about 220 pounds, 30 pounds more than he weighed when he left Northern Colorado. An ankle injury last summer added to his weight gain, causing a slow start to this season. He has since dropped 10 pounds and feels good at 210.
“I think the stronger I am, the bigger players I can defend,” Shaw said. “That was the big point of my redshirt season. With Coach Jack (strength and conditioning coach Jordan Jackson), just put on weight, being stronger, being faster. I felt we did that during the redshirt. Now we’re seeing it paying off, being able to finish through contact and guard a bigger guard.”
Taking instruction on the court from family hasn’t been hard for Shaw.
“There’s a little more pressure there, but I love it,” Caleb said. “I’m super blessed to play for GCU and to play for my uncle and my dad. It’s a lot of opportunities.”
Bryce Drew’s sister is Caleb’s mom. Dana Drew-Casey, a top basketball point guard in the 1990s who is in the Toledo Sports Hall of Fame.
Bryce Drew played at Valparaiso for his father, Homer, a College Basketball Hall of Fame coach, who frequently attends GCU basketball games. Bryce is best known for the March Madness shot he made in 1998, knocking out Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He went on to play in the NBA.
Bryce’s brother Scott was an assistant coach on that Valpo team. He now is one of the top Division I head coaches in the nation at Baylor, which he led to the national championship in 2021.
Bryce Drew was able to use his own family experiences to lead Caleb at GCU. Last year, Caleb’s older brother, Isaiah, played for the Lopes, who made history by winning their first NCAA Tournament game. Isaiah transferred to Valpo after last season.
The youngest Shaw, Luke, who led Valley Christian to a third straight 3A title last season, is playing this year at Athletes In Action Prep Academy in Ohio, where he’s been getting Division I college interest.
“For me, it’s been pretty natural,” Bryce said of coaching his nephews. “I played for my dad. I played for my brother.
“There’s different sides that you separate. I think one good thing that my dad did, that I learned from him, is the team is your family. So it makes it a lot more normal, a lot more natural, when you’re used to that.”
Casey said his sons have always been able to separate the uncle aspect on the court.
“I think the boys understand how good of a coach Bryce is,” Casey said. “They’ve seen it their whole lives. They know that his correction isn’t because he’s being mean. He’s helping them get better. They all want to be where he was as a player.”
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert
The Drew family has a rich history in Grand Canyon basketball, with multiple generations leaving their mark on the program. From grandparents to parents to siblings, the Drews have made a lasting impact on the court and in the community.
The patriarch of the family, Coach Bill Drew, was a standout player for Grand Canyon University in the 1970s and went on to coach the team for over two decades. His passion for the game and dedication to his players have set the standard for the Drew family’s involvement in the program.
Coach Drew’s sons, Mark and Chris, both followed in their father’s footsteps and played for Grand Canyon University. Mark was a dominant force on the court, earning multiple accolades and leading the team to several conference championships. Chris, known for his sharpshooting abilities, was a key contributor to the team’s success during his time at GCU.
The Drew family’s legacy continues with the next generation, as Coach Bill’s grandchildren have also made their mark on the court. Whether it’s coaching, playing, or supporting the team, the Drews are always there to lend their expertise and passion for the game.
As the family motto goes, “Once a Lope, always a Lope.” The Drew family’s deep connection to Grand Canyon basketball is a testament to their love for the game and their dedication to the program.
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Drew family, Grand Canyon basketball, basketball legacy, NCAA basketball, college basketball, Division I basketball, Drew coaching family, Drew coaching dynasty, Grand Canyon University, basketball history, college sports, basketball tradition
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