IMPORT FOCUSED AFTER SETBACKS
Perkins talks recovery, making the Neers proud
The Toowoomba Mountaineers’ newest import is ready to impress after a setback grounded his first take-off in the QBL.
Demetrius Perkins has been on the radar of the Mountaineers for close to a year now, however a cruel twist of fate brought his initial stint with Toowoomba to an end before it had a chance to get off the ground.
“About 12 days out before I was supposed to come out to Toowoomba, that’s when the injury happened,” Perkins said.
“It was pretty crazy. I tore my meniscus. It was an injury I’d never had before.
“With an injury like that, the way it happened and along with how many days I had to leave, it messed with my confidence a little.”
The import said he had to overcome self doubt and a fear of not being able to play the sport he loves along the way.
“You start to doubt yourself and ask yourself if it’s possible to be the same player again, especially with the way I play, explosive and herky-jerky. I just didn’t think I’d be able to move like that again.
“That’s what I was worried about, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play again.
“I know it sounds dramatic but things like that run through your head. I was sad for a day and got over it. I worked my butt off, and by the grace of God I’m back, 100 per cent healthy and feeling better than I was before.
“It had its challenges, but I feel amazing now.
“To be honest I feel even more athletic and more explosive. I feel good.”
The deep-rooted love of the game and desire to strive for greatness is relatively new to Perkins, taking an unorthodox path to playing the game.
“My older brother was a star athlete in high school, however some unfortunate events happened and he wasn’t able to continue to pursue basketball,” he said.
“I took after him. I didn’t care too much about basketball until eighth grade until I saw that I was good and worked hard at it.
“I played my first game in high school as a sophomore and it just took off then.”
After a tough initiation into the style of play in Australia, Perkins said it had been a goal of his to return Down Under.
“When I got to Australia it was physical. I was getting beat up and the refs weren’t really calling much,” he said.
“The IQ of Australian basketball, I was surprised by it. There were guys out there who could play with the best of them, and I was surprised by how the whole system worked.
“That’s why I always wanted to come back to Australia and play. It was beautiful basketball and it was physical.”
After being recruited by Danny Morseu for this season, new coach Danny Breen was scouting the combo guard from early on to have him in Toowoomba for 2019.
Perkins said that had instilled a self belief in him, and he wanted to repay the faith the club had shown in him.
“I’m really excited to start what I couldn’t earlier this year,” he said.
“I’m excited to be a part of something truly special, especially having a chance to be coached by Danny Breen.
“It brings me a ton of confidence (that he reached out at an early stage). For me it was something that I was seeking, and my main goal was to get to the QBL to show the Mountaineers what I’m made of.
“I wanted to get back, shock the QBL world and do something great for the community and for the club.
“I know Danny is going to bring some great quality people and players to the team, and I think we can be the team to shock a lot of people.”