Riley Talks up Hoyas at MDC

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South, Editor

May 26, 2008 - Arlington-Country Day Big man DaShonte’ Riley recently gave a verbal pledge to the Georgetown University to attend the Jesuit institution located in Washington, D.C. I finally was able to catch up with him during the Memorial Day Classic in Nashville and ask him what factors led to him committing to the Hoyas.

“Well, I always wanted to go to Georgetown,” said the 6-foot-11, 220-pound center.

“My first visit was during Midnight Madness; then I visited again about two weeks ago and that was the icing on the cake for me.

Riley also shared a sense of providential oppourtunity being able to speak to the patriarch of the Georgetown Basketball program, John Thompson II. The father of current Hoya head coach John Thompson III bestowed his considerable knowledge of the game of basketball and the game of life on the young Riley.

Riley (left), interviewed by McDowell.

“He spoke to me about a lot of humbling lessons from the past and how much I could improve as a person and a player at Georgetown.”

Riley furthered, “Coach Thompson III showed me some things as well. He showed me how they could help my game and how my game could help what their trying to do as well.”

Understanding the arduous task of preparing for the rigors of academia at Georgetown and the physical nature of the Big East Conference; Riley opined the necessity to work harder and get stronger as two of the main areas of discussion during his recent trip to the Nation’s Capitol.

“Coach just kept it real with me on how much I’ll have to put into it in order to get the most out of my ability.”

“I know I have to be more consistent in my play and show a complete game every time out. That will help my confidence continue to grow; which in turn will help my game continue to grow.”

Recently, speculation of Riley matriculating to The Hilltop a year early has sprouted up, but that was quickly doused when DaShonte’ unequivocally stated “No.”

We will continue to follow Riley as he toils during the summer for Detroit’s AAU power The Family