Leading up to the men's basketball regular-season opener on Nov. 6, GoStanford.com will profile all 15 student-athletes on the team and learn more about their interests, experiences and goals.
In the eighth edition of our Cardinal Capsule series, we get to know junior Trevor Stanback from Pasadena, California.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I played saxophone for five years and was in the band in middle school. I won a couple awards during my music days.
Did you have a favorite song you liked to play with the saxophone?
We played the soundtrack for The Phantom of the Opera. It was a cool to experience during our trip to San Francisco to see the Phantom of the Opera a couple weeks. It brought back memories.
At what age did you start playing basketball?
Basketball was not my first sport. It was my third growing up. I played baseball as a lefty pitcher when I was in fourth and fifth grade. I practiced football, but I was much bigger than everyone else so played with people a couple years ahead of me and I got demolished. I dropped football and I picked up basketball in fifth grade. Basketball is my sport.
I hear you had quite a growth spurt one summer.
I was always pretty tall, but the summer before I entered fifth grade I grew seven inches in a couple months. I grew from 5-10 to 6-5 and didn't have any growing pains.
What is your major and how did you settle on your area of study?
I am a psychology major and an art practice minor. I either want to get into sports psychology or art therapy for children with disabilities.
How has your experience at Stanford outside of basketball been?
The experience has been awesome. I knew what to expect and I had really good habits in high school, so I was prepared for the academic requirements. There are so many things to learn before college. I thought it was really cool that we did not room with another student-athlete our freshman year. My roommate did not play any sports. It allowed me to get to know more people and integrate with the freshman community on campus. There are a lot of classes I didn't think I would be interested in at first, but I have a whole new perspective on them now. I have enjoyed learning and working on different projects that have really challenged me.
What was your first impression of Coach Haase?
When Coach Haase got hired, I was already committed to Stanford. He immediately asked if he could come visit. That certainly influenced my decision. With so many responsibilities as a new coach, he still made it a point to come visit. That really stuck out to me. I found out what he was like and what his plans were for Stanford. I was sold immediately on coming to Stanford.
Nickname?
There are a few. Trev and T-Stan are popular. One that has been used a lot recently is "Stickback" after the rebound dunks in the Colorado game last year. I was just referred to as Stickback for several weeks following the game.
Tell us about your family.
Basketball has been a big part of my family. My dad got me started in the sport. My older brother was already playing basketball. He played at UCLA and UNLV. My sister is playing at Cal Poly right now too. My parents plan out their trips to see both of us play in one weekend. It is nice to have them at the games.