Fresno State Athletics
Staying Focused
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Senior guard Demetrius Porter is in his last year of playing basketball for Fresno State and because he is a senior he plans on making his mark.
Porter, who always has looked and planned ahead, has his sites set on another NCAA Tournament appearance and, long range, playing professionally.
Right now, Porter has the Bulldogs focused. The team is ranked No. 17 in the Sagarin Ratings and are receiving votes in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll entering the New Year. In addition, the 'Dogs are off to the program's best start since the 1980-81 season. That year Fresno State had the best record in school history (25-4) after a 12-1 start.
As the Western Athletic Conference season is just underway, Porter is one of four Bulldog starters averaging double digits in scoring (12.6) and averaging nearly four assists and three rebounds a game.
Porter led the WAC and was ranked No. 23 in the country in assists (6.24) and assist/turnover ratio (2.81) in 2000. He ranked in the WAC top 15 in every category except blocks, rebounds and free throw percentage.
As the year 2001 rang in with celebrations and festivities, Porter's sites on team goals being achieved are being overshadowed by his silent mark on the team. If you did not know, he is quietly moving up the school's career charts in assists (No. 4, 389) and steals (No. 5, 163). In his four years of play at Fresno State, Porter has molded himself into an accomplished player. He went from not seeing court time much at all during his freshman year, to starting every game his sophomore year and every game after too. Porter averaged 6.1 points per game his second year, and had 83 assists. He also had the highest three-point field goal percentage on the team at (.390) in addition to being the team's best free throw shooter, (.800).
During his junior year, Porter's list of accomplishments grew even longer. Two of his big successes came from game winning shots including a turn-around 12-footer with 5.6 seconds left to beat No. 13 Tulsa and a buzzer beating three-pointer to give Fresno State the double-overtime win over Hawai'i in the semifinals of the WAC tournament.
Yet he will shrug off the accolades and accomplishments.
"What I've enjoyed the most is the whole basketball atmosphere in Fresno," Porter said. "The fans are great, they support us so much. The coaching staff tries to develop us both on the court and off the court. What I will take with me is the work ethic I've learned."
After college, just like during, there are challenges that lie ahead. For Porter, the dream of playing major collegiate Division 1 basketball did not stop him nor does the dream of playing professionally. Looking to attract the attention of NBA scouts, Porter has not overlooked the possibility of playing overseas. Either way, he is up for the challenge.
"I want to play somewhere," said the Washington Union native who is the No. 19 rated point guard by The Sporting News. "Whether it is in the NBA or overseas. I would love to be making money doing the thing I love."
In addition, Porter has been selected First Team All-WAC by The Sporting News and Third Team All-WAC by Lindy's. Porter is also rated the WAC's best playmaker by The Sporting News.
"But if that doesn't work out, I would also be happy pursuing a different sort of career." Porter, who created his own specialized major (Sociology/Criminology/Counseling/Psychology) with his academic advisor, is studying to be a correctional counselor for the youth. "If I can't play basketball, I will go into counseling," said Porter. "I want to help the kids that have already messed up and help them change their ways."
In the mean time, the main focus has been studying the positions of point guard and shooting guard. After switching off between the two, he admitted that he enjoys playing point guard the most.
"I like playing the point better because I can control things and make plays. With shooting guard, I'm just put in places to score," said Porter.
As the Bulldogs are playing the most regular season home games in school history (18), Porter wants to make sure one preseason tabbing comes true -- WAC champions. A title means a sure trip to the NCAA Tournament and another chance to show what hard work can accomplish.
