- Slug: Sports-GCU Russell, 869 words
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By ZACH ALVIRA
Cronkite News
PHOENIX —Grand Canyon University point guard DeWayne Russell often finds a way to put others first, even during his own strenuous times.
In elementary school, he attended a basketball camp where he won a pair of basketball shoes. When Russell returned to show off his prize, he took the opportunity to help a classmate in need.
“I was excited about the shoes, but there was this one kid that everyone would make fun of because he didn’t have cool shoes,” Russell said. “I got sick of everyone making fun of him so I pulled him to the side and gave them to him.”
These days, Russell is doing his best to change the fortunes of the Antelopes, who have lost two of their last four games and host Texas Rio Grande Valley on Thursday.
Russell spent his early years in North Philadelphia, a tough part of town where drug deals and gun violence were common, he said. Russell was influenced by his uncle, Will Roberts, who attended Wilmington University in Delaware to play basketball. Russell used the game as a distraction from the streets around him.
Uncertainty still set in.
“It was rough,” Russell said. “It is hard growing up there because you never know when it will be your turn. I am happy my mom got me out of there.”
When Russell was nine, his mother escaped an abusive relationship with his father, Russell said, and she moved her son and his two brothers to Peoria. Roberts joined his sister and nephews in Arizona two years later. He was forced to take on a father-figure role after Russell’s father was murdered in Philadelphia in 2006.
“It was heavy,” Roberts said. “It gave him a lot of anxiety, pain and anger. I started praying with him and he started having some success on the basketball court. He had a dream. I think it almost changed his focus on to something else.”
Russell’s mom and Roberts urged the three boys to use the death as motivation to stay on a straight path and avoid the same troubles their father had. For Russell, this meant becoming well known on the court.
Russell was in the eighth grade when Michael Serwa, the coach at Peoria High School, saw he had the ability to succeed.
“He had skills we haven’t seen Peoria kids have before,” Serwa said. “Usually the top players go to a handful of schools and Peoria is not one of them. He looked at Peoria as a challenge to do the best he can at basketball at our school.”
Russell quickly propelled Peoria into one of the top programs in Division II, winning a state championship his senior season in 2012 by defeating defending champion Amphitheater High School. Russell finished the season as the state’s leading scorer, averaging 27 points per game.
Russell committed to the University of Southern California before graduating high school. It was the only elite Division I college offer the 5-foot-11 Russell received. However, Russell decommitted from USC to stay closer to home. With Arizona State and U of A not showing interest, Russell signed with Northern Arizona University.
After his freshman year, Russell decided to transfer out of the program after his relationship with NAU coach Jack Murphy started to deteriorate. This time, more Division I colleges showed interest. After a visit to GCU, Russell and Antelopes coach Dan Majerle built a strong relationship, which led to his commitment.
“I got to know coach Majerle and found out the person he is,” Russell said. “I built a father-son relationship with him. He is that other voice that I listen to.”
Russell’s mindset in the classroom during his first year was not what Majerle envisioned. Majerle admits that Russell was close to being out of the program, but a meeting in his office changed his perception of the young player.
“He stood up, looked in my eyes and told me I would never have a problem again,” Majerle said. “He told me he would turn it around and he has done that.”
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Russell sat out his sophomore season. Now, as a redshirt senior, Russell leads the Antelopes averaging 22.5 points per game. His work ethic on the court has impressed those around him.
“He is a big little brother,” said Keonta Vernon, a 6-6 junior forward. “He guides me on and off the court. He is furious in every aspect of the game and a huge competitor.”
Russell is not listed in the top 100 prospects for the 2017 draft according to NBAdraft.net. Even so, he continues to play with intensity.
“I want to continue to keep playing,” Russell said. “I would be thankful if basketball was in my life moving forward.”
His mom becomes emotional when she talks about what he has overcome.
“Everyday he continues to amaze me,” Sutton said. “Keep going, keep pushing. Keep making us proud.”
Russell smiled when he heard the kind words from his mother. Although the two talk daily, what they have overcome through basketball makes every word much sweeter to him.
“It makes me feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do. It’s fulfilling.”
