Coach Davey on Brian"Brian is one of the more competitive players we have ever had at Santa Clara. He worked hard during the offseason on conditioning and he will be a real team leader this season. We are going to expect Brian to really lead by example on the court."
A team captain ... one of the most competitive and toughest players on the squad...has worked hard during his career to improve ballhandling and shooting ability as well as endurance...has played through various injuries in each of the last three seasons...will be counted on to score more this season...has the ability and attitude to become a major contributor this season ... will be the defensive catalyst for the team with the departure of Brian Jones ... first member of his family to attend and graduate from college.
AS A SENIOR IN 2001-2002: Scored 10 points in 29 minutes of action in season opener against Pacific ... made all four three-throw attempts, grabbed four rebounds and tied a career high with four assists against the Tigers ... scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Belmont in the Stanford Invitational ... handed out five assists and recorded two steals against Chico State ... scored eight points against UMBC and UCSB in the Cable Car Classic ... dished four assists against the Gauchos ... scored nine points at San Diego on 4-of-5 from the field ... scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting against San Diego at home ... scored 11 points against Pepperdine.
AS A JUNIOR IN 2000-2001: Started 25 of 32 games at the two-guard position ... scored eight points in the double-overtime win over Chattanooga ... Has shot over 50 percent in four games ... grabbed a career-high seven rebounds against Chattanooga ... also recorded three steals and handed out two assists against the Mocs ... scored a season-high 11 points and was the high-scorer at Purdue ... scored seven points and had three assists, two steals and a block against No. 2 Stanford ... played with a severe ankle sprain against Pepperdine and scored nine points.
AS A SOPHOMORE IN 1999-2000: Saw action in all 31 games despite several nagging injuries...started the Idaho State, Arizona State and Purdue contests...played a career-high 33 minutes at Arizona State following a 30-minute outing at Idaho State...scored a career-high 14 points against top-ranked Cincinnati in the Big Island Invitational...also scored in double figures against Humboldt State 911) and at Fresno State (10)...went 6-for-11 from the three-point stripe in the final four games of the season...made 7-of-8 free throws against Cincinnati.
AS A FRESHMAN IN 1998-99: Backcourt reserve appeared in 25 games off the bench...the team's most productive bench player...averaged 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds...shot 38.2 percent from the field...played an average of 18.0 minutes a game...missed the first four games of the season while recovering from a broken bone in his foot...made his season debut vs. Illinois-Chicago at the Carrier Classic...finished with eight points in 12 minutes of action...demonstrated an early season knack for getting to the line...was 20-for-27 from the line over his first six games (93 minutes played)...scored a career high 10 points in back-to-back games at Loyola Marymount and vs. Portland...grabbed a season-high six rebounds in the final regular season game at Saint Mary's...accounted for slightly more than half (80) of the team's total point production (159) over the last 15 regular season games...scored a season-high 11 points vs. Gonzaga in the championship game of the WCC Tournament...was 2-for-6 from the field and 6-for-9 from the line during a season-long 24-minute playing stint.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION: Attended Galena High School in Sparks, Nev....averaged 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and shot 57.1 percent from the field as a senior...Galena's all-time leading scorer...first team all-state selection...division player of the year as a senior...earned second team all-state honors as a junior...scored a career high 30 points vs. Pleasure Ridge HS...helped his team to records of 27-6 and 25-7 as a junior and senior...also lettered in track.
PERSONAL DATA: Born March 25, 1979 in Honolulu, Hawai'i...parent is Lavinia Vaka...major is undeclared...lists Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan and Muhammed Ali as his favorite athletes...enjoys playing video games and watching Michael Jordan highlight films...fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Dodgers.
