Rider’s Durham leading by example
LAWRENCEVILLE » The word fun came up more than once during Rider’s postgame media session following its 115-71 victory over Ningbo University of China in an exhibition game on Saturday evening.
Perhaps no player is enjoying himself more than Anthony Durham, the team’s captain.
This has been a long time in the making for the junior guard since he arrived on campus after starring at Abington High (Pa.) and Putnam Science Academy.
“I’ve been looking toward this moment for a long time,” said Durham, who retained a year of eligibility after a broken foot cost him all but five games his sophomore season. “I’ve just been working my butt off and talking to (coach Kevin Baggett) everyday about being a leader of everybody.”
Durham came off the bench and played in 32 games last season, but as captain and a team leader, that role has already changed significantly. He started for the first time in his college career against Ningbo and poured in 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
“Me and (coach Kevin Baggett) talk about being a leader a lot,” Durham said. “We have a bunch of young guys on the team, who obviously don’t have a lot of game experience and that’s something that me, Kealen (Washington-Ives), Stevie (Jordan) and Tyere (Marshall) bring to the table. My main focus is being a leader. I don’t care if I score 20 points or zero points. I just want to lead these guys to a win.”
The Broncs graduated four seniors who combined for 67 percent of the team’s offensive production, so naturally, there is plenty of youth on the roster. Six different players made their debut in a Rider uniform on Saturday.
Durham then must be one of the players to guide them through the ups and downs of a grueling campaign.
“(Anthony’s) a guy who has bought in from day one,” Baggett said. “I’m happy to see his growth. We’re going to continue to let him lead and watch this team grow. It’s a fun team to watch.”
There’s that word again. “We share the ball,” Durham said, pointing out Rider’s 24 assists on 44 made baskets. “I think it’s a different team from the past few years. Everybody loves to pass the ball and gets excited when someone else scores. It’s just fun basketball. We got a lot of shooters. … When somebody is hot, we just keep finding him, and that is fun basketball.” posted nine points and 10 assists in 15 minutes.