BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University men’s basketball fans have found out firsthand this season how impressive Javontae Campbell’s ability to steal the ball is.
The Falcons’ guard, though, has always had that gift of impacting the game with his defense.
“I take a lot of pride on the defensive side. I always want to be the best player on defense, always had a knack for the ball defensively,” Campbell said. “So just growing up, when to get a steal and stuff, it’s just fun playing defense, honestly.”
Campbell, a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American at Northern Oklahoma last season when he averaged 3.25 steals per game, has thrived in his first season at BGSU, especially on defense where his 3.11 steals per game rank fourth amongst all NCAA Division I players. The on-ball defense from the 6-foot-2, 155-pound junior, who is “pound for pound the toughest kid in America” according to second-year BGSU coach Todd Simon, has been sensational, even in a rugged league like the Mid-American Conference.
“We saw it on film, especially in the JUCO level where he was fantastic at it as well. He just affects the defense in such a big way because those steals usually turn into points,” Simon said. “It’ll get to the point where I think, at some point in his career, teams are just going to stay off his side of the floor because he’s so disruptive.
“So we’re excited to see where this is going to grow to because he’s got even more ability than we’ve even seen so far.”
Campbell recorded multiple steals in each of his first 18 games of the season for BGSU (7-12, 2-5 MAC), including five on three occasions right before league play. One of those came when he notched the first triple-double for the Falcons since 2007 when he added 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in an 87-62 win over NAIA school Aquinas College on Dec. 23.
The only contest where Campbell didn’t get at least two swipes was in Friday’s 84-71 home loss to Toledo. Even then, his lone steal came at a key moment when he dove for the ball near midcourt and flipped it ahead to Derrick Butler, who threw down a two-handed dunk to tie the game at 29-29 and send a packed Stroh Center into a frenzy.
“Javontae’s presence on defense, just to get steals, it’s something I’ve never really seen before, to be honest,” Butler said. “Just his instincts are an overall blessing.”
What has made Campbell’s efforts even more impressive recently has been the injury the standout’s been playing through.
Campbell injured his right hand — his shooting hand — in an 83-79 MAC win at Western Michigan on Jan. 7. Since then, he has played with a wrap on his hand and has had multiple fingers taped together as well.
Although his offensive production has been down in averaging 9.0 points per game in the last five outings compared to 15.2 the previous 14, Campbell is still making an impact in averaging nearly 30 minutes per game since the injury.
“He’s all banged up and he’s got that wrap on his hand. He played through a knee injury last year in junior college and didn’t miss a beat,” Simon said. “ … Just one of those guys that you can’t keep off the floor, and it’s all about the team for him. He’s an absolute warrior.”
For Campbell, the biggest keys to his stealing ability include slowing down everything in his mind and trying to react before the play happens.
“It’s just being in the right spot, and usually, I’m in the right spot,” he said.
The thrill that comes when his deflections and steals turn into points — like his sequence against the Rockets — is exciting for Campbell.
“It’s fun, especially when your bench is going crazy off a steal, fastbreak, transition fastbreaks. That’s a big turn in the game, so having those is just really great,” Campbell said.
Campbell, one of three BGSU players who have started every game this season, is one of a trio of guards that have been impactful for the Falcons. He has learned a lot from Butler, who transferred from Central Michigan during the summer, and Trey Thomas, who was one of five returners from last year’s BGSU squad.
The trio averages 38.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 4.9 steals per game between them.
“They’re leaders. They get me better every day,” Campbell said. “They don’t take it easy on me. We go at each other, we get each other better, and that’s just how it is every day at practice.”
Added Butler: “Javontae’s a quiet kid, but when he steps on the court, he’s a very physical guard. He’s an overall great teammate to play with. I’m just blessed to share the court with Javontae.”
First Published January 27, 2025, 9:51 p.m.
