DeMatha Seniors Have Send Off

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Power program loses eight seniors.

June 7, 2010 – This past Friday on a scorching afternoon, Bowie, MD’s Allen Pond Park welcomed a particular group of revelers. They weren’t the handful of fisherman pulling largemouth bass from the pond, nor were they riding paddleboats (that dock was closed), or the couples braving 90 degree temperatures to spending together. Nevertheless, this group in question was the largest segment of people, and were expressing happiness for the past and future.

Who was this crew? Now graduated senior basketball players of DeMatha Catholic High School, their families and families. The team is graduating eight players, six being present at the time of this interview, discussing their DeMatha experience and future plans.

“If it wasn’t for DeMatha, I wouldn’t be going to Indiana” proudly shared Victor Oladipo, the 6’3” athletic guard/swingman soon-to-become a Hoosier. “It teaches us to be a gentleman and scholar”.

Left to right: Vic Oladipo, Robbie Nisson, Derrick Banks, David Naves, Jerian Grant, Alex Ogundadegbe

Robbie Nisson, the 6’8” forward that’s headed to Catholic University echoed those sentiments, tabbing his time as a Stag “A real good experience” as it “helped me mature a lot on and off the court. I came there junior year and just the growth and development in those two years is incredible”.

The post-high school plans of those talked to prove these statements, and none are more interesting than Alex Ogundadegbe’s: Standing around 6’6”, Ogundadegbe was a reserve for Coach Mike Jones’ Stag hoops program. Nevertheless, Alex has landed an opportunity to compete in Atlantic Coast Athletics for the University of Maryland, though it won’t be on the hardwood, as the forward will be joining the Terp football unit.

How did he get this chance, despite not playing any high school football? “They just came up to me” recalled Ogundadegbe on how the invitation to walk on occurred. “Coach (James) Franklin walked up to me and said I should consider playing football”. Alex, who is slotted to compete as a tight end plans to join the program in July, and understands a scholarship could be forthcoming if he proves himself this season.

Jerian Grant has had a more tradition road to Notre Dame, which he leaves for on June 19th. Why did the 6’4” combo guard decide to be a Domer? “It’s a good opportunity” shared Grant, whose older brother Jerai, a senior forward at Clemson told him “you have to be ready to battle right away”. That advice is not lost on Jerian, as immediate playing time is a possibility, and helped draw him to the South Bend, Indiana school. Of the institution itself, Grant noted “The campus is real nice, not huge but not small…it’s like a family. And they have great tutors”. Grant will likely major in a business related discipline.

Oladipo chose a school that is big, and has been known for decades as a basketball-crazed institution, one in which the fan base is known to be maniacal in Indiana University. He’s aware of those fans’ expectations, laughing when discussing them, simply saying “I’m ready for it”. Vic’s college career starts soon, since he departs for Bloomington this Friday, but will return in August before fall.

Staying close to home are Nisson, David Naves, and Derrick Banks. Nisson chose Catholic because he has a chance to “get in there and get some good playing time. Goucher and Seton Hill also recruited the small forward.

Naves, a 6’1” guard and Banks, a point man that stands 5’9” may end up competing against each other in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since they are attending Howard and Morgan State, respectively, though that matchup might materialize in a year or two; Banks, who chose Morgan because “They have my major, Civil Engineering and are real good in that” and possess need for his position of point guard, may be redshirted this year, since his desired discipline normally demands five years. Naves, who could major in business marketing, plans to immediately snatch minutes, and to do so is training as a point guard by working out as well as studying excellent lead guys “like Rondo of the Celtics”, trying to emulate what they do. David takes these lessons into pickup games regularly.

Both Banks and Naves acknowledged the need to stay dialed in at their future schools, both Historically Black Colleges and Universities with excellent academic and social traditions. Naves summed their collective outlook, saying “I have to do what I have to do to stay focused”.

One thing is for certain, Grant, Nisson, Banks, Oladipo, Ogundadegbe and Naves all maintained a level of focus to get where they are now. They should also know many in the DMV will be paying attention to their future success. Congrats go out to these guys.

Note:
Justin Black and Chris Frank were not present at the time of this interview. Black, a 6’3” guard could lock horns with both Naves and Banks down the road – he’s going to MEAC rival North Carolina A&T. The future plans of Frank, who is 6’10” and plays center, were not known at the time of this writing.