Perseverance Personified

In an attempt to continue to avoid writing about the Knicks and their situation, I want to talk about one reserve player. Two and half years ago Darius Washington Jr. missed two out of three free throws that would have taken his underdog Memphis Tigers to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in an improbable late season run. Instead, they missed the tournament.

As a sophomore, the following year, Washington led his team to the ranks of one of the country's greats. Memphis made the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Darius Washington had redeemed himself and left school for the NBA that summer.

It proved to be a premature decision. Washington wasn't drafted, didn't make an NBA team, and spent the season playing overseas.

This season, Darius Washington was back. He made the San Antonio Spurs at the start of the season and even played in their opener. He hasn't made his mark yet in the NBA. In nine games he's averaged 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in just 10.4 minutes per contest. He might not last this time around. The rumor is that he'll be sent down to the Development League shortly. But Washington has fought his way back from disappointment before. Whatever happens, his detemination is to be respected and because of that, I believe he'll ulitimately be successful.