The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT IS a rarity for any true freshman to have an immediate impact on a basketball programme, but Bahamian wing Delroy Grandison is doing just that at Niagra College in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Grandison has emerged as a leader for the Niagra Knights and was recently awarded the SAC “Male Athlete of the Week” award.

The 6’3 freshman is averaging 16.6 points, nine rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.5 blocks and two steals per game through three contests.

In their latest outing, Grandison led the Knights to their first win of the season, a 96-79 win over the St Clair Saints. He finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and two steals in just 16 minutes.

In the season opener, Grandison made his collegiate debut with a double double despite the 85-84 loss to Sheridan. He poured in 17 points on 7-12 shooting, added 11 rebounds, six steals and six blocks.

In game two he finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in an 88-80 loss to Lambton.

“Delroy has been strong for us so far,” said Niagara College men’s basketball coach Keith Vassell. “He is athletic and works very hard. He has been a strong addition to our programme.”

Grandison is currently enrolled in his first year of the Niagara College welding techniques programme.

The Knights are scheduled to return to action 8pm Friday, November 7 when they host the Fanshawe Falcons (2-1) at the Welland Campus athletic centre.

Grandison, the 19-year-old former student of Noble Preparatory Academy, competed against 90 other international students to win one of two available positions on the team.

Tenero Ferguson, also in his freshman year after he completed his studies at Noble Preparatory Academy, attempted to make the team as well, but fell short.

He made his presence felt from the Knights’ very first scrimmage when the Knights took on Brock University.

The high flying six-foot, three-inch forward played in his first scrimmage game against Brock University where he came through with the first dunk in the game.

Grandison was a key factor in the Noble Preparatory Academy, headed by Geno Bullard. He was also one of the top players in Bullard’s No Bull Basketball Club that won numerous tournaments in the Bahamas and Cuba before he eventually secured an athletic scholarship to Niagara College.

Most notably he was the MVP in last December’s Street Legends Organisation “Private vs Government Schools Scholarship Quest.”

In the tournament finale, Noble Prepatory Academy claimed the title with a 57-50 win over the then defending Hugh Campbell champions, the CC Sweeting Cobras.

Grandison was named the MVP and a $12,000 scholarship recipient.

Having led his team and won the most valuable player award in just about every tournament they’ve competed in, Grandison said coach Bullard has steered him in the right direction over the past seven years.

Speaking with The Tribune just before he left for Niagra, Grandison spoke on how his time at Noble Preparatory prepared him for the student-athlete lifestyle in college.

“When I first came here [to NPA] I was really confused, but being around coach Bullard, he has really helped to change my outlook on life,” Grandison said. “I’m a much better person on and off the court, even a better basketball player because I look at the game differently now. I know I can be a better leader and a better student athlete. I’ve gotten a good balance of sports and academics, so I know that I will be able to make the adjustment when I go to Niagara College.”