July 13, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Back on campus after spending the first part of the summer in his native Chicago, A.J. Rompza is in a reflective mood. The point guard is excited for his senior year, but is also surprised at how fast his time at UCF has gone by.
Rompza arrived at UCF in 2008 an undersized point guard with something to prove. He enters his final campaign in Orlando as a fan favorite who has dished out assist after assist and hit some game-winning shots that will forever be remembered by UCF supporters.
"I think about it every day," Rompza said about his senior year. "It is kind of weird. It feels like yesterday I walked in and was a freshman. Time flies by. To think that I am a senior now, it goes by fast."
Always willing to sacrifice his body, and his own statistics, for team success, Rompza plans on giving even more of himself on the court this season.
"I always give it my all. But I think that this year, I am going to give even more if that is even possible. I will do whatever I can to win games, and make my teammates better."
Rompza averaged 6.4 points and 3.2 assists in 24.5 minutes per contest last season. He was hobbled by a foot injury during Conference USA play, but still managed to lead the squad with 34 steals.
He says that he is working to improve all aspects of his game this summer. Rompza, and his returning teammates, should benefit from experiencing a year under head coach Donnie Jones. Last year, the Knights had to learn Jones' up-tempo system.
"The first year is always the toughest year," Rompza said. "It is just getting used to the coaches, and getting used to the style of play. After one year, we should be able to understand it. It should be easier from here on out."