The fearsome scowl belies his youth and inexperience.
There is nothing easygoing about Georgetown University freshman DaJuan Summers? on-court persona. Combined with an array of skills rare for a player of his size and youth, he is particularly unappealing to opponents.
“I?ve been told that a lot, that when I?m on the court, I have this face ? everyone tells me that I?m mean,” said Summers, a product of the McDonogh School in Baltimore. “But when they get toknow me, I?m the exact opposite. It?s serious when I?m on the court; it?s about business.”
Summers? teammates love his on-court temperament ? as well as the nine points and 3.2 rebounds a game he?s averaging ? but off the court, he?s just another playful freshman.
“He?s much more laid back, always joking,” junior forward Jeff Green said. “Him, [freshmen] Vernon [Macklin] and Jeremiah [Rivers], they?re a bunch of guys that like to have fun. Just on the court he brings a different demeanor to the game. With his intensity, he brings a lot of energy from the start.”
Summers first started hearing about his facial expressions during his junior year at McDonogh.
“People would tell me, ?DaJuan, why do you look so mean on the court??” Summers said. “I never noticed. I?m just having fun. That?s the way I play.”
Rated among the nation?s top 25 players in his high school class by several recruiting services, he has started all but three games for the No. 14 Hoyas (19-5, 9-2 Big East Conference), including every conference game. At 6-foot-8 and 241 pounds, he?s got the size and strength to battle inside, diverting attention away from the 6-9 Green and 7-2 center Roy Hibbert.
But he also has uncommon range for his size and the moxie to utilize it. Last Wednesday, he helped the Hoyas put away host Louisville with two three-pointers, two free throws, two assists and two key defensive rebounds in the final five minutes to stymie a late Cardinals run. Overall, he is shooting 39 percent from three-point range.
Last Saturday, Summers totaled 10 points, five rebounds and two assists in a 76-58 win over Marquette, and he registered another 10 points and five rebounds in a 71-53 win over West Virginia Monday.
“That?s the type of kid he is, and I appreciate how he goes about his business,” Hibbert said. “He doesn?t care who anybody is. He?s going to make sure we?re going to get abasket.”
THE SUMMERS FILE
» Age: 19
» Height: 6-foot-8
» Did you know? Played all four years on varsity at the McDonogh School, totaling 1,502 career points … As a senior, averaged 29.2 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals a game for a 19-6 team … Selected to play in the 2006 Jordan All-American Game … Was named MVP of the 2006 Charm City all-star game … Named the 2006 Gatorade player of the year for Maryland.
