Dajuan Coleman: One in A Million

"Four years."

This is the response sophomore Dajuan Coleman gives when asked how long he has been playing basketball.

To say that Coleman is good at basketball is like saying Usain Bolt is fast. Besides being nationally ranked for the class of 2012, Coleman also helped the Red Rams win a State Championship with 18 points and 18 rebounds in the 77-75 overtime win against Peekskill.

During the season, he averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds per game, and over the course of the year racked up 38 blocks and shot 62 percent from the free throw line. And that was just as a freshman. But he didn't stop playing once the season ended.
Over the summer Coleman kept busy by going to Ohio to attend the LeBron James Skill Academy, and by playing in the Hoop Group Summer Classic, the Nike Global All-Star game, and the 4th Annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 All-Star game.

The Elite 24 All-Star game includes 24 of the highest rated high school basketball players in the country. Coleman said it was a good experience to be part of the all-star game as an upcoming sophomore because he played with upperclassman from around the country. He said that Hanging out with older kids has made him grow up faster because he is usually one of the youngest players on his team. Coleman also found it to be a good experience because the game goes all the way back in basketball history.

Coleman also traveled to various places across the country for tournaments including Florida; Ohio; Las Vegas, Nev; Phoenix, Ariz; and New York City and Cortland, N.Y.

Coleman said, I'm never nervous I just got out and play my game, do what I do best. He says that playing with other elite players over the summer made him better. Coleman admits that it feels good to be good even though he feels that sometimes people treat him differently because he is so good. For example even though the NCAA rules forbid coaches from contacting athletes until after September 1st of their junior year, Coleman has been contacted by several coaches already this year.

Coleman can't wait to play and have something to do after school. As for this season, he believes "If we set our goals and work hard, we can win another state championship."

Coleman is eager to assure everyone that despite rumors he is not moving: "I love all my people at JD." The sophomore likes JD better than his old school, Fowler because he can focus better with fewer distractions, and stay out of trouble.
Which is good because the team needs him. Teammate Demetrius Mitchell, a junior, said Coleman's strength and power is needed to get rebounds. Coach Bob McKenny describes Coleman as "monstrous" and "a dominant force." Teammate Junior Davi Sacco describes Coleman as "a very agile player, for how big he is." Sophomore Tyler Cavanaugh adds that he is also a "One-in-a-million type of player, and we are very lucky to have him."