Creighton lands Australian forward Sam Froling
Sam Froling, the 6-foot-9 Class of 2018
OMAHA, Neb. — The Creighton Bluejays burst onto the college basketball scene a few years ago with teams led by National Player of the Year Doug McDermott, now with the Knicks.
After McDermott left for the NBA, the program lost its identity somewhat when it missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and ’16.
Searching for an answer, head coach Greg McDermott found a diamond in the rough, literally. In 2014, McDermott and the coaching staff gained the services of 7-foot Justin Patton from nearby Omaha North (NE) High School. Though Patton was a four-star prospect, he only received one scholarship offer, that being his hometown Bluejays.
McDermott decided to redshirt Patton for the 2015-16 season, which is something unusual with top-100 incoming freshmen.
By SEAN BOCK
With the loss of last year’s stars Justin Patton and Maurice Watson, few people were expecting Creighton to be a Top 25-type team coming into the 2017-’18 season.
During the offseason, head coach Greg McDermott was linked the Ohio State job which would’ve raised more questions marks concerning the program.
The Bluejays were picked fifth in the Big East Preseason Poll.
But after two convincing wins against Yale and Alcorn State, McDermott’s team faced three straight ranked opponents and showed why they belong in the Top 25 conversation.
Creighton coach Greg McDermott informed Ohio State he won’t become their new coach, as ZAGSBLOG reported Thursday.
McDermott, 52, met Wednesday with Ohio State officials and was offered the job to replace Thad Matta, ESPN reported.
McDermott later confirmed that he will remain at Creighton.
I’m blessed and honored to be the coach at Creighton…..and am looking forward to many more great years in Omaha! #rolljays
— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) June 8, 2017
“I have been privileged to be the Athletic Director at Creighton University for the past 23 years, and in those years we have had only two men’s basketball coaches,” said Creighton Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen. “Dana Altman and Greg McDermott are outstanding coaches who recruit, retain, develop and graduate young men who also have properly represented the mission of Creighton University. I am thankful for the time and friendship I have shared with both of them, and look forward to many more years with Coach McDermott at Creighton.”
