Junior college players instrumental in the makeup of ASU’s squad

When playing basketball, you never want to pick up your dribble while getting trapped. That’s what they call “No Man’s Land.”

For many players who are unable to make the immediate jump from high school to a Division I program, they too are in “No Man’s Land --” junior college.

“It’s such a hard, grinding route, because it’s easy to fall off track in junior college,” Arizona State senior forward Willie Atwood said. “It also helps you get a little tougher, little stronger so you’re good for (Division I).”

ASU has been forced to rely upon a bevvy of junior college players throughout the years, with 2015 serving as no exception. Five players currently on the active roster came from junior college programs. Torian Graham is redshirting this season, but also came from a junior college, while junior forward Savon Goodman made stops at UNLV and a junior college before coming to Tempe.

While the route has proven to be successful for some such as ASU senior defensive stopper Gerry Blakes, some have had to take alternate paths.

When junior forward Obinna Oleka first came to ASU this season, there was little known of what he could bring to the table. After all, he had played just five games in the last two years, most recently spending time at Manatee-Sarasota College in Florida while getting academics in order.

“It was so long,” Oleka recalled. “I felt miserable, for real, just seeing everybody playing basketball and all that. But I just stuck with it, and didn’t quit.”

Going the unorthodox route is always a struggle, particularly when you aren’t able to play competitively.

“It’s discouraging at first, but then you realize you have the make the best of every opportunity you have,” Oleka said. “It’s just basketball at the end of the day.”

Oleka has since emerged as arguably ASU’s best bench player this season, flashing raw ability while averaging 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 21 minutes.

“Being on the big stage after two years of not playing basketball was hard at first, but at the end of the day it’s just basketball,” he said. “It’s being confident and comfortable, knowing I belong and just sticking with it.”

Head coach Bobby Hurley said the adjustment period is a part of every junior college player’s career.

“There’s always a transition for every player, even though he’s older and not a high school guy,” Hurley said. “The games mean so much more (in Division I). It’s not junior college, so there’s a transition and him getting used to the offense and where he fits. I think what you’re seeing is just over time is more confidence.”

Atwood played just seven combined minutes in ASU’s final two games last season, struggling to get a grasp of the transition to Division I hoops.

Like Oleka, Atwood had to sort out his academics in junior college. He, too, was overlooked out of high school and wanted to get to the next level with a chip on his shoulder. It didn’t work out that way.

Heck, he even thought of transferring. After all, he was a top-rated junior college prospect out of Connors State and had been known for his athletic ability in both football and basketball growing up in Memphis, Tennessee.

“I had to sit down and realize that this isn’t junior college anymore,” Atwood said. “You’ve got to work a little harder. It really hurt me last year sitting down and getting benched and knowing I could be out there playing. This year I’m just trying to show what I couldn’t last year.”

Instead, he bought in with new head coach Hurley, and he was the starter for the season opener against Sacramento State.

“He told me I had a clean slate,” Atwood said of Hurley. “If I could play, then prove it, and I’ll be the judge with my own eyes and I showed him.”

Hurley said the connection with Atwood was immediate.

“It started in the meetings,” Hurley said of Atwood’s progression. “I had a couple good meetings with him, and I got a feel and a sense for his passion for basketball, which I really liked. I just liked his personality and the charisma he had. In workouts I started to get a feel for him and looked at him as a high-bred guy that can move well and has good skill and athletic ability. I had an idea that he was definitely in my plan.”

Whereas he could barely see the floor during his junior season, Atwood has boosted the Sun Devils in averaging 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while serving as one of the team’s best rebounders and all-around offensive weapons. It’s hard to say anyone could have seen that coming.

Hurley said Atwood’s struggles may have been related more to fit under former coach Herb Sendek than it was effort.

“I just think he was never comfortable in the system, and I’m sure some of it just had to do with just opportunity to play and other guys were maybe ahead of him in the rotation,” Hurley said. “I could tell that he wanted to play, and that it was important for him to play. Everyone wants to play, but he paid the price. I don’t think anyone -- Tra was working hard, and Gerry too -- but nobody was outworking him throughout the preseason. it’s no accident he’s playing well.”

Added Blakes: “Willie is a great player. He came in as a highly-ranked player out of junior college and i think last year he didn’t have the same opportunities that he has this year. He’s definitely making the most of it and he’s been a big force for us this season.”