Fresno State Athletics
It's All About Believing
2/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Many athletes can remember a special moment in time throughout their playing days. For some the memory may be a last-minute shot to win the game or a shot from half-court to go into overtime, but for the Bulldogs' junior guard Dennis Nathan, it's something more special.
Nathan recounts his favorite memory on the court with his mother, Barbara Scott. "My junior year of high school basketball, I was in the middle of a game" reflects Nathan. "I looked up at my mother to see the glow on her face and realized how proud she is of me." To Dennis Nathan, the unity of a family is important both on and off of the court.
Dennis Nathan knows what it means to be a part of a family. After all, he is the only male of eight children in a family of 10. So when Nathan compares the 2001 Fresno State men's basketball team to a family, he must be right.
"We all get along. There are no cliques" stated Nathan. "Our ability to all get along helps us on the court and makes for a fun environment."
Well, the team is definitely doing something right. To date the team is 17-2 overall and 6-0 in the Western Athletic Conference, with a 13-game winning streak. Everyone on the team contributes and Nathan is no exception. Known for his versatility as both a forward and a guard, Nathan steps into whatever role he is called upon to perform on any given night.
"I love being the point guard", he stated. "Playing the point guard is an extension of being a coach on the floor and I've always felt that I am a natural leader, of course I like the two-guard because I get the freedom to shoot more."
His versatility may be conjured from the fact that he has played basketball at three different levels. After graduating from Gresham High School in Portland, Ore. and leaving behind a 30.5 points per game scoring record, Nathan moved on to play junior college basketball at Contra Costa College. There he was able to acclimate himself to playing with guys who were just as good or better than him. But it wasn't until he arrived at Fresno State that he realized his potential as a player.
"I've matured as a player," admitted Nathan. "Everybody that I play against night in and night out is at the same level as me." "I've learned the little things about the game that I may not have understood or realized before. Coach Tarkanian and the other coaches have really helped me with that."
Presently, Nathan is second off the bench in scoring with just under six points per game. He also averages three rebounds, while playing about 17 minutes a game. For Nathan his role as a key reserve is just fine. "I want to do anything to better the team", confides Nathan. "I love being able to compete and it's a rush to be a part of something so positive."
Nathan's enthusiasm for basketball is shared by his teammates. He firmly believes that the team has the drive and attitude it takes to make it to the "Big Dance" and attributes that to both the team and the coaching staff. "The drive is a belief and it's a want" declared Nathan. "I hear Chris (Jefferies), Tito (Maddox) and Mel (Ely) all talking about getting to the tournament. That's all we talk about. We don't care about the win-loss column or the winning streak."
It's no surprise to Nathan that the team is doing so well. The Bulldogs have been practicing together since last summer and their ability to gel as a unit is extremely evident on the hardwood. "We just go out and play hard" commented Nathan. "I really believe that we can get into the NCAA Tournament and I believe that everybody involved with this program believes it." People can say what they want about winning, but what it comes down to is, believing in winning together."
As the season winds down, drawing closer to the NCAA tournament, confidence is abound and all thoughts of losing are left at the door. "I have no doubt that we will get there" stated Nathan. "We just want it more."
