Pharaoh Compton’s “assertiveness” is paying off
Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports
Aztecs’ freshman Pharaoh Compton won consecutive Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors.
The former four-star recruit from Las Vegas is turning heads in the program and the Mountain West Conference.
Aztecs’ forward Pharaoh Compton has arrived.
He is the first Aztec to win the Freshman of the Week award since instituted before the 2021 season, and he has now done it twice.
Through eight games, Compton has been utilized as the team’s sixth man — the first player off the bench. Against USD on Saturday night, Compton entered the contest right away in both halves.
“It’s just about being ready,” Compton said postgame about his assertiveness. “I just know when I get on the court, I need to make an impact and bring the energy no matter what. I try to do that every game.”
That seems to be the case. Compton makes an impact on the court almost right away.
.@PharaohCompton with the SLAM
📺 MWN pic.twitter.com/Yzgr0qVMJB
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 8, 2024
In the season opener against UC San Diego, Compton impacted the game in the first half, scoring four straight points for the Aztecs while grabbing a few defensive rebounds. A few weeks later, in a huge win over Creighton, the forward slammed home a dunk moments after checking into the game for Magoon Gwath.
Over the rest of the Players Era Festival during Thanksgiving Holiday, Compton continued to contribute right away. Compton hit a layup and then assisted on a BJ Davis basket on the next possession after checking into the game against Oregon.
In the biggest win of the season against No. 6 Houston, the freshman scored 13 points and grabbed three rebounds in 21 minutes. He scored eight points with an assist in the first half.
Compton would then finish 4-4 from the field against Fresno State in San Diego State’s Mountain West opener. Against USD, he and fellow freshman Taj DeGourville were the two best players on the court in the first half. They finished with 15 points combined.
The proof is in the pudding.
“(Compton) is a load; he is as physical as a freshman as you are going to see out there,” head coach Brian Dutcher said postgame after USD. “I think he had six baskets tonight and rebounds. So, we have a lot of talent on the bench, and our depth is definitely a major reason we are winning games.”
Before the season started, East Village Times sat down with Compton at SDSU media day. The forward expressed what he believes he brings to the table.
“My ability to play with a motor consistently,” Compton said. “Going back and forth on offense and defense and not taking any plays off.”
The Aztecs are known for wearing down their opponents. They have done that for years. His mindset to not want to take any plays off and dominate when he has the chance is why the freshman has seen early success.
The more assertive Compton is when on the court, the more it will pay off for him.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.