Former Irvine Valley men's basketball standout Aaron Strings recently helped Westcliff University win the Cal Pac title.
The star wing player was a leader on and off the court for the Lasers.
Strings was named second team all-Orange Empire Conference after the 2021-22 season, averaging 11.9 points per game (second on the team) to go along with 2.1 assists for the Lasers.
He was the squad's best defensive wing, guarding IVC's top opposing players constantly.
Strings initally signed with the College of Idaho, but after an injury, came back to Orange County and joined the Westcliff program.
Strings helped Irvine Valley to a record of 18-11 overall and a trip to the California Community College Athletic Association So. Cal. Regional playoffs in 20-21.
He was also named Irvine Valley's male athlete for the Orange Empire Conference Nevco Character Champion Team in 2021.
This award is given to the student-athletes who displays the following values; sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility shown through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent during competition.
The criteria also includes the action of putting the team and teammates before oneself while acting as a positive role model. The inaugural award was given out following the 2009-10 academic year.
"I value sportsmanship because it is very important to be a team player," Strings said after receiving the award. "I always help teammates and opposing players up when they fall down and play a clean and fair game.
"Whether we win or lose the most important thing is the health and safety of all players on the court."
During his freshman year at IVC in the 2019-20 season, Strings helped the Lasers to a record of 17-13 overall, make the playoffs and reach the second round.
IVC upset Chaffey on the road, 67-64, and then nearly did the same in the second round at Santa Monica before losing a tough game, 53-46.
Strings ended up starting 22 games for IVC, including the final 21 contests of that season. He had a season-best 17 points in Irvine Valley's 63-62 conference win over Santa Ana.
Strings, who sported a 3.50 grade point average at IVC, was a scholar-athlete both years for the Lasers and was named the Irvine Valley men's basketball team's most improved player.
Westcliff collected its second Cal Pac championship in three years.
The 6-5 Strings is averaging 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Warriors.
Westcliff takes on Arizona Christian in the playoffs on Mar. 14 in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship First Round.
