11/12/2008
By Jim Hague
If perseverance and patience were listed in a college basketball box score, then Ryan Gillens would be among the nation’s leaders.
The Rutgers-Newark junior has endured his fair share of injuries through his first three years as a Scarlet Raider, suffering an injured ankle, a broken nose and a severely injured ankle that ended last season after only seven games.
That would be enough pain and anguish to make anyone think twice about trying to make a comeback, but Ryan Gillens isn’t just your average person.
“I did get a little down at times, but I just love playing basketball,” Gillens said.
“Whether I’m hurt or not, I want to get a chance to play. I would absolutely do whatever it takes to get back on the court.”
“It just shows how tough Ryan is,” Rutgers-Newark head coach Joe Loughran said. “He wants to do whatever he can and wants to show he can do it.”
As the 2008-09 season gets set to begin this weekend with the John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic at the Golden Dome, Gillens is ready to have a major role for the Scarlet Raiders this season.
“I’m really excited,” Gillens said. “I have a lot of expectations and I know the coaches and my teammates have expectations of me. I’m ready to see if my hard work is going to pay off. Being out as long as I have has definitely made me more determined. I understand that injuries are part of the game. I got hurt, had a year off and now I’m ready to get back at it.”
Because he only played seven games last season, Gillens was given a medical hardship for the year and retains his junior status with the Scarlet Raiders.
But the 6-5 center feels like he has a big responsibility this season.
“Even though I did get another year and I’m a junior, I still feel like I’m a senior,” Gillens said. “I feel like I have to be a leader on this team. I have to be there for my teammates.”
Loughran believes that Gillens is poised to have a big season.
“I think he’s going to be a big part of what we’re going to do this year,” said Loughran, who begins his eighth season as the head coach of the Scarlet Raiders this weekend in the Adams Tip-Off Classic, when R-N faces Medgar Evers. “He’s become a better player and he’s developed into a nice scorer in the post. He’s a confident player now. I really think he has a chance to be a pretty good player for us.
Added Loughran, “At the Division III level, it’s so hard to find any big guy who can score. Ryan’s a pretty tough kid and a legitimate post scorer. He’s also improved his 15-foot jumper and that’s made his overall game better.”
Loughran also believes that Gillens’ determination to come back after a series of injuries shows how much he cares about basketball and cares about his teammates.
“I really believe it speaks volumes about him,” Loughran said. “His teammates voted him as a captain, so you can see how highly they think of him.”
If there’s one aspect to Gillens’ game that Loughran doesn’t have to worry about, it’s Gillens’ relentless drive to be a good defender.
“He’s just good at it,” Loughran said. “He can elevate the whole team with his defense. The key is to do it without fouling. He does have a habit of picking up fouls.”
“I’ve mostly been a defensive player,” Gillens said. “I have been working on my game all summer to try to become more of an offensive threat, but I always work hard on the defensive end. It’s not a problem.”
Loughran also loves Gillens’ personality.
“He’s a tremendous kid,” Loughran said. “I think the world of him. He’s one of the better kids we’ve ever had. He’s very coachable and listens to everything the coaches have to say. He plays hard and works hard. When he talks, people listen, because he gets so much respect from his teammates. He’s been such a joy to coach. No question, he’s been through so much and he’s still here. I definitely root for him to do well.”
Gillens is majoring in criminal justice at Rutgers-Newark and he hopes to eventually become a New Jersey state trooper.
After all, law enforcement has been a part of his life since he was a little boy. His father, Michael Gillens, is a sergeant with the Newark police department.
“It’s just natural that I fell into that field,” Gillens said. “I’ve always loved law enforcement.”
But for now, Gillens wants to concentrate on getting his degree and getting back on the court for the Scarlet Raiders.
“I love college, but I don’t want to be in college forever,” Gillens said. “As for getting back, I’m more than 100 percent healthy. I want to get out there and play. I feel like I have a lot to prove.”
By Jim Hague
If perseverance and patience were listed in a college basketball box score, then Ryan Gillens would be among the nation’s leaders.
The Rutgers-Newark junior has endured his fair share of injuries through his first three years as a Scarlet Raider, suffering an injured ankle, a broken nose and a severely injured ankle that ended last season after only seven games.
That would be enough pain and anguish to make anyone think twice about trying to make a comeback, but Ryan Gillens isn’t just your average person.
“I did get a little down at times, but I just love playing basketball,” Gillens said.
“Whether I’m hurt or not, I want to get a chance to play. I would absolutely do whatever it takes to get back on the court.”
“It just shows how tough Ryan is,” Rutgers-Newark head coach Joe Loughran said. “He wants to do whatever he can and wants to show he can do it.”
As the 2008-09 season gets set to begin this weekend with the John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic at the Golden Dome, Gillens is ready to have a major role for the Scarlet Raiders this season.
“I’m really excited,” Gillens said. “I have a lot of expectations and I know the coaches and my teammates have expectations of me. I’m ready to see if my hard work is going to pay off. Being out as long as I have has definitely made me more determined. I understand that injuries are part of the game. I got hurt, had a year off and now I’m ready to get back at it.”
Because he only played seven games last season, Gillens was given a medical hardship for the year and retains his junior status with the Scarlet Raiders.
But the 6-5 center feels like he has a big responsibility this season.
“Even though I did get another year and I’m a junior, I still feel like I’m a senior,” Gillens said. “I feel like I have to be a leader on this team. I have to be there for my teammates.”
Loughran believes that Gillens is poised to have a big season.
“I think he’s going to be a big part of what we’re going to do this year,” said Loughran, who begins his eighth season as the head coach of the Scarlet Raiders this weekend in the Adams Tip-Off Classic, when R-N faces Medgar Evers. “He’s become a better player and he’s developed into a nice scorer in the post. He’s a confident player now. I really think he has a chance to be a pretty good player for us.
Added Loughran, “At the Division III level, it’s so hard to find any big guy who can score. Ryan’s a pretty tough kid and a legitimate post scorer. He’s also improved his 15-foot jumper and that’s made his overall game better.”
Loughran also believes that Gillens’ determination to come back after a series of injuries shows how much he cares about basketball and cares about his teammates.
“I really believe it speaks volumes about him,” Loughran said. “His teammates voted him as a captain, so you can see how highly they think of him.”
If there’s one aspect to Gillens’ game that Loughran doesn’t have to worry about, it’s Gillens’ relentless drive to be a good defender.
“He’s just good at it,” Loughran said. “He can elevate the whole team with his defense. The key is to do it without fouling. He does have a habit of picking up fouls.”
“I’ve mostly been a defensive player,” Gillens said. “I have been working on my game all summer to try to become more of an offensive threat, but I always work hard on the defensive end. It’s not a problem.”
Loughran also loves Gillens’ personality.
“He’s a tremendous kid,” Loughran said. “I think the world of him. He’s one of the better kids we’ve ever had. He’s very coachable and listens to everything the coaches have to say. He plays hard and works hard. When he talks, people listen, because he gets so much respect from his teammates. He’s been such a joy to coach. No question, he’s been through so much and he’s still here. I definitely root for him to do well.”
Gillens is majoring in criminal justice at Rutgers-Newark and he hopes to eventually become a New Jersey state trooper.
After all, law enforcement has been a part of his life since he was a little boy. His father, Michael Gillens, is a sergeant with the Newark police department.
“It’s just natural that I fell into that field,” Gillens said. “I’ve always loved law enforcement.”
But for now, Gillens wants to concentrate on getting his degree and getting back on the court for the Scarlet Raiders.
“I love college, but I don’t want to be in college forever,” Gillens said. “As for getting back, I’m more than 100 percent healthy. I want to get out there and play. I feel like I have a lot to prove.”
No comments:
Post a Comment