Wes Long has been a key player for the men’s basketball team since the 2010-2011 season, when he was named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year after being redshirted for the 2009-2010 campaign.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 210-lb. forward has seen time in every game over the last four seasons and started every game this season for the Lions as a senior.

Long came to UNA from Summertown High School in Summertown, Tenn., where he played both guard and forward and helped lead the Eagles to the state Final Four in his senior season. He was a finalist for the 2009 Tennessee Mr. Basketball award.

Long grew up on a dairy farm owned by his family. His grandfather milks over a hundred cows a day, and his father owns meat cows, he said. The family is used to putting in full days on the farm, and they have raised Wes to understand the value of work ethic.

Head coach Bobby Champagne said Long always comes to practice and works hard, and attributes this to his success.

“He’s always been a hard worker,” Champagne said. “I think he surpassed my initial expectations. He broke into the lineup a little earlier than expected, due to his willingness to get out there and do things that make the team better.”

Long also attributes his work ethic to his success, he said.

“I’m not the fastest guy or the strongest guy on the court, so I feel like I have to make up for it by working hard, and that’s what I do,” he said. “I just go out there and work hard and hope good things happen. That’s how I was raised.”

Long also credits his teammates for his success on the court, he said.

“I’m lucky to have a great group of guys around me that can go out there and make plays,” Long said.

Long is viewed as a great teammate by his fellow players and Champagne.

“It’s been pretty easy to coach Wes,” Champagne said. “He’s been consistent over the last five years. He’s a good teammate and he always has the best interests of the team in mind.”

Over his four-year career, Long has only been called for 160 fouls and has never been disqualified from a game.

In addition to being a team player, Long has also earned a reputation for his scoring ability. He is feared around the league for his shot-making, and frequently leads the team in three-point baskets. Long scored his 800th career point for the Lions Jan. 4 against Lee University, and he made his 200th three-point shot Jan. 10 against Valdosta State University.

A December 2013 graduate of UNA, Long was the only male to receive the prestigious honor of being named a 2013 Promising Alumni. Long cited his graduation as one of his proudest moments, and is now seeking a graduate degree at UNA.

While he has not ruled out accepting a position as a graduate assistant and trying to coach at the collegiate level, Long’s ultimate aspiration is to teach physical education and coach high school basketball.

“As a fifth-year senior, my final goal is to go out on top,” Long said. “Just win. Win a conference championship, win the region (and) win a national championship.”