Matt Velazquez

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On Saturday morning before its exhibition game against Division II Rockhurst, the Marquette men's basketball program announced sophomore Sacar Anim will redshirt for the 2016-'17 season.

It's a move that coach Steve Wojciechowski referred to as an investment in Anim's future when he discussed it with the 6-foot-5 guard this past week.

"It was a discussion that I had with Sacar and his family and I think it was in the best interests for his development," Wojciechowski said after Saturday's 106-53 exhibition win at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. "He's a young guy — he's over a year younger than the other guys in the sophomore class. We have a lot of perimeter players and I think he's a guy who can be a valuable asset to our program, but he needs to use his year to continue to get better as a player, stronger as an athlete.

"I think it's a really good decision for his development."

Anim, who appeared in 17 games as a freshman in 2015-'16, totaling 83 minutes and averaging 1.1 points, spent the off-season preparing to take on a larger role. On a team of players who pride themselves in being gym rats, he often has been cited by teammates as someone they always see in the gym trying to improve his game.

Before this week, Anim hadn't considered redshirting but was quickly convinced that it's the best decision for him. His teammates, though, might take more time to process this change.

"They actually were all surprised," Anim said. "A lot of guys were like, 'Why'd you redshirt? You were going to play. You were going to play good minutes.' I tried to explain to them what Coach said how this was best for me. ..."

Anim admits that initially the thought of redshirting, which means no playing in games or traveling with the team, hurt a little bit.

That feeling was fleeting, though, and has since faded. He knows where he stands with the team and the coaching staff and trusts this is what he needs to do.

"I was going to play this year, but this is better," he said. "I think I can really use this year to get better and come back and help the team next year."

Anim's not looking forward to watching road games alone in his dorm room, but he relishes the opportunity to spend more time in the gym getting extra help from the coaching staff. While the decision to take the redshirt year wasn't easy, it helped that he trusts Wojciechowski and that his parents offered their full support.

"My parents were on board right away," Anim said. "Coach Wojo and my parents have a pretty good relationship, I'd say, and Coach Wojo spoke to my dad and just broke it down. It was real genuine. We trust the coaching staff here and, like I said, as long as they're doing what's best for me and working on my game and I'm getting better there should be no problem with it."