Tommy Breaux is a playmaker, both on the hardwood and the turf. The Towson University junior has the ability to be a game-changer in basketball, where he is a forward, and football, where he is a wide receiver.
Breaux has been encouraged to stick with both sports since leaving Randallstown High.
“I?ve been doing it for awhile now, so I?m kind of used to it,” Breaux said. “Ienjoy it. It keeps me straight in school.”
With plenty of athletic ability packed into his 6-foot-9 frame, Breaux creates mismatches in both sports.
“I think Tommy can really be our X-factor,” Towson basketball coach Pat Kennedy said. “I really mean that.”
So far, Breaux has done most of his work coming off the bench. He?s averaging 20 minutes per game and is contributing 5.4 points per game in that time. His 13 blocks put him seven ahead of the team?s next-best shot-blocker.
“He can change the game in one or two swings of his arms, changing the game on the defensive end by blocking shots,” senior guard Gary Neal said. “Especially at home, on the offensive end, if you get it to him anywhere in the paint, he?s going to dunk it or get fouled.”
Neal calls Breaux the team?s best dunker.
“I see him in practice do some stuff ? you?d be like, ?Whoa,?” Neal said.
A junior transfer from Blinn Junior College in Texas, Breaux is looking to unleash his best dunk in a prime-time game.
“I might do a 360 or windmill,” Breaux said. “I?m saving it. It?s coming. Maybe an ESPN game.”
Towson football coach Gordy Combs knew of Breaux?s ability coming out of Randallstown. But after playing at Blinn?s run-first football program, it?ll be tough for Breaux to crack the Tigers? group of four returning receivers. Still, Combs likes the potential he sees in the 6-foot-9 target.
“There?s no doubt he adds another dimension to the receiving corps ? number one, because of his size, and number two, because he can run,” Combs said. “And he has excellent hands.”
And two more years of eligibility.
THE BREAUX FILE
» Age: 22
» Height: 6-foot-9
» Weight: 200 pounds
» High school: Randallstown
» Did you know? Averaged 9.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game at Blinn ? Lettered in football, basketball and track at Randallstown ? Tommy?s brother, Terrence, is a wide receiver at the University of Buffalo ? Chose Towson over Nebraska, Houston, Idaho and Texas State.
