ASU center Jordan Bachynski has eyes set on conference record

Jan 25, 2014, 1:02 AM | Updated: 1:02 am
LISTEN: ASU Basketball center Jordan Bachynski

Jordan Bachynski has failed to register at least one blocked shot just three times in his last 54 games.

In the 51 other contests, the 7-foot-2 center tallied 205 blocks, adding to his career total that is now at 266.

He’s 12 short of former Arizona Wildcat Anthony Cook, who holds the conference’s all-time record for blocked shots.

And it would mean a lot to claim that spot for himself.

“That’s huge for me,” he told the Burns and Gambo Show Friday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “That’s one thing that I feel sets me apart. Just the timing — not to pat my own back — but the timing and skill it takes to be a great shot blocker, an elite shot blocker, is something you can’t teach.”

It is a skill the 23-year-old senior said he worked on out of necessity, as growing up he was tall but skinny and easily pushed around in the post. So, he had to find a new way to be an effective defender.

“I needed to learn a new way to still be a factor on defense and I think that’s where it came from, just out of necessity,” he said.

Bachynski also noted that he was “blessed with great genes,” and his size certainly helps.

“It works,” he said.

Indeed.

This season, Bachynski has had nine games with five or more blocked shots, including totals of seven and eight. He also has a team-leading 10 double-doubles, showing he’s more than just a shot blocker.

On the season, the Calgary, AB native is averaging 12.1 points and a team-best 9.3 rebounds to go along with his 4.5 blocks per game.

Arizona State Basketball

Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils looks on as his team takes on the TCU Horne...
Kellan Olson

Arizona State signs head coach Bobby Hurley to 2-year extension

Arizona State has signed its men's basketball head coach Bobby Hurley to a two-year extension, the school announced on Tuesday.
2 days ago
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley calls a play in a 77-69 loss to USC at Desert Financial Arena...
Jake Anderson

Here’s why Arizona State should extend Bobby Hurley’s contract

In eight years, Hurley has won 141 games for ASU, with half of those seasons garnering 20-plus wins and three (four) NCAA Tournament trips.
3 days ago
DJ Horne #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils goes to the basket against Rodrigue Andela #34 of the O...
John Guzzon

ASU basketball’s future is bright despite disappointing 1st-round exit

Arizona State’s 2022-23 basketball squad continually got up off the canvas to emerge as legitimate contenders.
3 days ago
JaKobe Coles #21 of the TCU Horned Frogs makes the game winning basket over Warren Washington #22 a...
Jake Anderson

Cinderella strikes midnight for ASU’s NCAA Tournament run in loss to TCU

No. 11 seed Arizona State's Cinderella run struck midnight in a heartbreaking 72-70 loss to No. 6 seed TCU on Friday night in Denver.
5 days ago
Frankie Collins #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives to the basket against Xavier Cork #12 of...
Kellan Olson

Arizona State loses heartbreaker to TCU, bows out of NCAA Tournament

The 11th-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils lost in heartbreaking fashion on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
5 days ago
Follow @KellanOlson...
Kellan Olson

ASU throws down 2 spectacular dunks vs. TCU in NCAA Tournament

Arguably the best highlight of the NCAA Tournament thus far came via the Arizona State Sun Devils on Friday.
5 days ago
ASU center Jordan Bachynski has eyes set on conference record