Image Courtesy of Clarus Multimedia Group
Camel of the Edition is a continuous series that seeks to highlight Connecticut College athletes who have set themselves apart as high performers or as leaders both on their team and around campus.
Elias Espinosa ’26 is a forward and captain on the men’s basketball team and has played a key role in the team’s success in recent years. Espinosa was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team for the 2023-2024 season, making 24 starts as a sophomore and averaging 13.5 points per game. He led the team in three-point baskets, ending the season with 67, which ranked him third in the NESCAC. The junior from Leonia, New Jersey continues to impact the team, as both a leader and a major contributor on the court.
Recently, The College Voice caught up with Espinosa to learn about his journey through basketball, his role as a student-athlete at Connecticut College, and his goals for the remainder of his junior season as a Camel.
Could you please introduce yourself? (Name, pronouns, hometown, grade, major/minor)
My name is Elias Espinosa, and I am a junior here at Conn. My pronouns are he/him and I was born and raised in Leonia, New Jersey. I am currently majoring in psychology with a minor in biology.
How did you get into sports and basketball in particular?
Growing up… sports have always been a big culture for me, especially with two older brothers who both played many sports, they helped pave the way for me as an athlete. I played baseball and basketball all my life and all throughout high school, but then once junior year of high school hit, I grew to be about 6 foot 3 out of nowhere. This then began my passion to want to take things to the next level with basketball.
Tell me about your recruitment process! Why did you choose Conn?
My recruitment process was a bit rough, as I was a bit of a late bloomer. Not many schools were knocking on my door at all, but luckily my head coach, Coach Tim Sweeney was at a fall league game during my senior year, and I happened to have one of my better games from that fall. From there on out, we stayed in touch, and eventually I visited campus. During my visit I saw this place being my future, and [I] fell in love right away.
What does it mean to be a captain and a leader of the team?
To be captain is a huge honor, especially to represent this team and this school. I do what I can to lead my brothers the best way possible, making sure we maintain the same approach and mentality to every game and practice. It is truly a wonderful honor to have this title.
Last season, you were named to the All-NESCAC Second Team. You averaged 13.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Can you describe what these accomplishments meant to you?
Obviously it was a great honor to receive these accomplishments, and I am super proud of how far I’ve come as a player. However, that was in the past, and I am currently focused on this season and where this team is gonna go. Accomplishments are great, but for me and my team, nothing is more important than getting a banner hanging in that gym, and a championship under our belt.
What are your goals for the remainder of this season?
We look to continue where we left off last year, falling short in the NESCAC playoffs. We are looking to host another NESCAC playoff game, and this year bring home a championship, which we are more than capable of doing.
Do you have any superstitions or processes that help you stay focused on the game?
I am not too superstitious, but for some pregame routines I like to meditate and partake in some mindfulness exercises. Along with that, listening to music to get me in the right state of mind is what I enjoy doing.
How has being a student-athlete at Connecticut College affected you as a person on and off the court?
It has allowed me to make new connections and find things that I am interested in outside of basketball. It has also taught me a lot about myself, and how to manage multiple things going on in my life and managing my time. My time at Conn has been nothing short of amazing, and I know it will continue to be that way.
Anything you would like to add or shout out?
I would like to shout out my teammates for keeping me right, and always having my back no matter what.
*Note this interview has been edited for clarity and brevity!
