By Taylor Nigrelli
Sports Assignment Editor
After last year’s season-ending loss to Florida State, we were treated to dozens of stories that reflected on the career of men’s basketball’s star center Andrew Nicholson. The Mississauga, Ontario native was praised, deservingly, for his contributions to the revival of the St. Bonaventure basketball program.
This year, there has been significantly less praise and reflection for another star player who helped pull the program from the depths of obscurity: Demitrius Conger. While Conger may not seem as important as a Nicholson or a Lanier, a quick glance at his numbers reveal that he may have been under-appreciated in his career.
Conger started in an astounding 92 games as a Bonnie and averaged 10.2 points per game. His points-per-game average went up every year, peaking at 14.3 this year. The Brooklyn native was the second-most productive player on last year’s tournament team, averaging 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest, both second to only Nicholson, and led the team with 33.5 minutes per game. He capped off his junior campaign with an Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team nod.
However, the 6’6’’ forward did his best work during his senior season. It had been discussed all preseason that he would have an increased role in Nicholson’s absence, and he answered the call. Conger led the Bonnies in points (14.3), rebounds (7.1) and assists (3.2) per game, becoming the only player in the A-10 this year to do so.
He also led the team in minutes per game at 36.4. The only surprise there is that the number isn’t higher. It seemed as though Conger logged 40 minutes every game near the end of the season. He knew the team needed him on the court for the full 40 minutes and he was able to contribute the entire time.
Conger has been a part of some incredible games and moments for St. Bonaventure in the past three years. Perhaps we might not have had some of the memories we have if it wasn’t for Conger’s contributions in big moments. For example, would the Bonnies have advanced to the A-10 finals last year if it wasn’t for Conger’s 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the semi-finals win over Massachusetts? Would the Bonnies have even sniffed the postseason last year if it weren’t for Conger’s consistency across the board?
Then there’s the matter of the games where the Bonnies clearly wouldn’t have pulled a victory without Conger. The most obvious example of this was the contest against Buffalo earlier this year.
The Bonnies trailed by three with just over a minute left and didn’t have possession. The situation seemed bleak, to say the least. This all changed when Conger stole the ball, ran down the court and dunked to put the game within one point. The next trip down, Matt Wright did the same to give the Bonnies a one-point lead. Seconds later, Conger iced the game with another steal.
This is just the most obvious example of the dozens of games Conger swung with key plays at just the right instance. He may not be drafted in the NBA and he likely won’t participate in the Rising Stars All-Star Game, but Conger accomplished plenty in his four years at St. Bonaventure.
Someday, Demitrius Conger’s name will be raised to the rafters of the Reilly Center. I know I’ll be here, happy to tell anyone who will listen about Conger’s late-game heroics and uncanny ability to do anything his team needed him to do.
