2009: The Year of DeGeare
Chris DeGeare has not gone soft during his year on the sidelines. To that I can personally attest.
DeGeare, a senior guard sitting out the season while academically ineligible, was passing through the Miller Center on campus last week. I asked about his father Brian, whom I have gotten to know at practices. I also wondered how tough it had been on Chris watching his teammates play on Saturdays. He said not as bad as he thought it might be. He said he’s feeling good about his studies, and his chances of regaining his eligibility for next season.
For those who have lost track of DeGeare, who has started 24 games at Wake, he has been practicing this fall, though mostly with the scout team. Before I let him go, I made the mistake of giving him a ``hang-in-there’’ chuck on his left shoulder. Felt like I broke about three bones. It was like chucking a brick wall.
Ethan Reeve’s eyes lit up when I mentioned it a bit later. Reeve, the strength and conditioning coach, said he’s really been proud of how hard DeGeare has worked.
The story on DeGeare is that if he does indeed return next season, as everyone expects, and has a good season then he might just spend the next several years after that playing for pay on Sundays. He’s that athletic. Reeve mentioned that his vertical jump is 31 inches, higher than that of quarterback Riley Skinner, an impressive athlete himself. DeGeare’s problem has always been his weight. You may remember that his mother, Genetria, died of cancer during Chris’ freshman season. He still played as a first-year freshman, which is why he has a season of eligibility remaining under the NCAA rule that allows a player four seasons over five years. But he also packed on a few too many. Actually he packed on way too many. Next thing he knew, he was north of 370. His whole career has been an ongoing battle to get and keep his weight down. I wondered how good he could be at 315. Reeve said he doesn’t have to get down to 315, that he would be a force of nature at 325. He’s quick and has the feet for tango.
He looked good, like he’d grown up a lot the past year or two. I have a good feeling about Chris.