Former Parkview star Erik Durham eager to make NCAA Tournament debut
Erik Durham was in 7th grade when Steph Curry led Davidson to the Elite Eight, scoring 128 points in four games and announcing his presence to the Basketball World through one of the most memorable NCAA Tournament runs ever.
To this day, Curry's clinic remains Durham's favorite March Madness memory.
That'll change on Friday when the senior guard leads No. 15 Jacksonville State against Rick Pitino's No. 2 Louisville Cardinals.
Durham has never played in the NCAA Tournament.
In fact, this is Jacksonville State's first appearance in program history. The Gamecocks won 20 games for just the second time since transitioning to D-1 in 1996. More impressively, JSU knocked off a Belmont team that had beaten them in nine of their previous 10 meetings. Belmont had won the Ohio Valley seven times since 2006 and went 15-1 in league play during the regular season.
“It still hasn't even hit me yet that we are champions,” said Durham. “I feel like as soon as I touch the floor that's when everything is going to hit me like ‘wow I'm really here right now'. Coming from a JUCO makes this mean so much more to me. Being counted out from the jump made me work even harder. I guess all of the time spent in the gym and praying payed off.”
Durham's journey to the NCAA Tournament hasn't been an easy one.
Despite scoring 25.3 PPG as a senior at Parkview and earning all-state honors, the recruiting interest didn't come.
Missouri State didn't offer. SLU didn't offer. UMKC didn't offer. SEMO didn't offer.
Hungry for the opportunity to play Division One basketball, Durham took his talents to Port Arthur, Texas, moving more than 600 miles away from home to play for JUCO Lamar State.
Durham averaged 7.3 PPG, coming off the bench for the Seahawks. But, he struggled to adjust to a new role and new home.
“My freshmen year was the hardest challenge to overcome,” said Durham. “Being away from home for the first time and it being so far away made it tough. Not starting every game was another adjustment but I feel like I handled that pretty well and took advantage of my minutes played. My two best friends to this day Tre Bennett and Jamal Shabazz really helped me beat that feeling of wanting to go home and try something else. God really puts the right people in your life at the right time.”
Averaging 15.6 PPG as a sophomore at Lamar State helped Durham catch the eye of then-JSU coach James Green, specifically his ability to shoot the basketball.
To be fair, Durham shot 45% from 3 (71-for-157) at Parkview, but Ray Harper he's become one of the most efficient shooters in America, living up to his middle name "Gunnar."
Durham scored 17 points (6-9 FG) in the OVC Championship, a 66-55 win over UT-Martin. This year he's shooting 52% from the field and 48% from 3. He's one of just three players in the nation with at least 75 3-FG makes while shooting at least 48%.
His adjusted field goal percentage of nearly 67% is higher than notable shooters like Luke Kennard, Bryce Alford and Conner Frankamp.
“I knew by this year exactly which craft I wanted to perfect and that's my shooting,” said Durham. “I really have just been shaped into a shooter. I found what really works for me and stuck with working hard to improve that. A lot of shots have been put up and many nights of shooting even when I'm not hitting has helped me become a better shooter. The efficiency has came from shooting until I literally can't put up another shot. So much shooting makes putting up a three feel like second nature.”
On a team that has five players averaging between 8-12 points and shoots 37% from 3 collectively, Durham has emerged as the ultimate X-factor.
Jacksonville State is 16-3 when Durham reaches double figures and 8-1 when he scores at least 15 points. The lone loss came against Western Kentucky on Nov. 16. Durham and the Gamecocks have been solid away from home, going 15-9 on the road.
Durham has been especially good on a neutral floor, putting up 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting a blistering 60% from deep. JSU is a perfect 5-0 in those games.
Jacksonville State will need that potent shooting - and a few breaks - entering Friday's tilt with a Louisville team that ranks No. 6 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom.
But, there's some hope…
The Cardinals have gotten bounced in the first round twice since 2010, with the most recent occurrence coming at the hands of that year's OVC champion (Morehead State in 2011).
A 15-seed has upset a 2-seed eight times in NCAA Tournament history, four of those instances have come since 2012.
Coach Harper has experience in the NCAA Tournament, twice taking Western Kentucky to the Big Dance. The Hilltoppers lost to Kentucky after winning a play-in game back in 2012. The following year Western Kentucky nearly made history, leading No. 1 Kansas at halftime before falling 64-57.
JSU ranks in the top fifth in all of college basketball in defensive FG pct, holding opponents to just 41.5% shooting from the field.
Durham believes his team is playing with house money and that defense, coupled with three guards capable of scoring in bunches, gives the Cocks upset potential.
“It makes us pretty dangerous because you never know which one of us are going to have the hot hand and if we all three do then that's pretty tough to beat,” said Durham. “We all have bought in and have came together more and more as the season has gone on.
“It's exciting to be in this instead of being at home watching on TV. According to other people we aren't even supposed to be here. Given the opportunity to play in March has been a blessing. I know we will fight till the game is over, that's for sure.”
For Durham, win or lose, the experience has been an invaluable one.
Not just getting to the NCAA Tournament in his final year of eligibility, but the path it took the Springfield native to get there.
The ups and downs of the recruiting process.
Growing and maturing as a man away from the comforts of home.
Having three different head coaches in the last three years.
Learning to unequivocally trust in his ability.
While there would be no better ending than pulling off a few upsets and putting himself and Jacksonville State on the proverbial map, Durham knows he has already won.
“It may not have turned out how I thought it would have in the beginning but It has turned around for the better and I have been given to the chance to do exactly what I knew I could,” said Durham. “I have been blessed to just wake up today and be able to speak with my mother. Going through everything I have has shown me that life's greatest blessing isn't a basketball but the people on this earth that can simply show me any type of support whether I am doing good or bad on the court.
“I appreciate all the kind words people have said to me and nice gestures I have received. I have been able to meet some wonderful people during my basketball career that don't know just how much of an impact they've had on me. My story has shown that finding a relationship with God and with the support of others great things can happen.”
Jacksonville State and Louisville are slated for a 1:45 p.m. tip on March 17th at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Seniors @erik_durham and @gregtucker30 accepting the @OVCSports basketball championship trophy. pic.twitter.com/GRvm7hmTqL
— Chris Allen Brown (@ChrisBrown_AL) March 5, 2017
