Feb. 2, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE - Barry Durosier and Ryan Moore might not be familiar names to Fayetteville State fans. Yet they set in motion the arrival of one of the most prolific Broncos scorers of the decade. Entering their senior season Moore and Durosier convinced one of their best friends, who had grown five inches during the summer, to go out for varsity basketball. His name? Andy Gebru. "I went from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-2 before my senior year," said Gebru, FSU's second-leading scorer in 2009. "That's the first time I ever played organized basketball. I thank Barry (Durosier) and Ryan (Moore) to this day for keeping me on track. They told me, `just stick with it.'" Gebru has stuck with it and on Feb. 20 will be joining the Sorocaba club basketball team of the Paulista League in Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Current FSU assistant coach Charles Jefferson contacted a friend, who has ties with Brazilian basketball, about Gebru. After sending in his highlight tapes and game film the club made an offer. A native of Orlando, Fla., Gebru along with Elijah Ingram, a graduate of the University of New Mexico, will be the first America-born players on Sorocaba's roster. "It hasn't hit me yet because I'm going over there for the game," Gebru said. "It's going to be a great experience. If you really love something you'll go to Brazil and do it." Gebru graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education last year, but decided to stay at FSU and train with former teammate and Broncos' point guard Jamel Austin. "We've worked on everything," Austin said. "We worked on his stamina, shooting off the dribble, creating his own shot and free throws. I've got to make sure he's good when he gets out there." The countless hours putting up shots in the gym, afternoons in film study and morning runs are components of a work ethic that, according to former FSU head coach Samuel Hanger, sets Gebru apart.
"He's a hard-working kid and a good team player," said Hanger. "He worked hard and earned his playing time through his defense. His work ethic is his best attribute." Hanger was influential in getting Gebru to attend Fayetteville State. Out of high school Gebru enrolled at Virginia State University. However, after his redshirt freshman season, then VSU head coach John Hill was fired. Hanger and Hill had coached together before so Gebru decided to transfer to FSU.
In three seasons at FSU, Gebru led the Broncos in scoring twice and averaged 14.5 points per game during his career. A 2007-08 All-CIAA selection, Gebru scored 20 or more points 19 times in his career. Ironically, Gebru's career-high 32 points came in an 85-78 FSU loss at Virginia State on Nov. 27, 2007. "I never thought of him as a great shooter his freshman year," said Hanger. "I heard a lot about it but I never saw it. He came in and paid his dues. He struggled early and got better as time went on." Since he's still in Fayetteville, Gebru's been able to closely watch the 2009-10 edition of the Broncos. Despite only returning five members of last season's squad, Gebru said he has a healthy relationship with FSU's current players. "The first day I got back I was introduced to everyone," he said. "They're just like we were. They want to win as bad as we do. There's really no difference." Maturity, growth and graduation have given Gebru a unique ability to share advice and provide perspective to some of the Broncos' younger players. "I've talked to a couple of them and I've told them -- every game play your hardest," he said. "Every day I look back and wonder what would've happened if we had won that last game against Virginia Union and won the CIAA Championship. I just tell them every time you step on the court go hard. Take no nights off." Despite the unfamiliar settings and brand new culture Gebru will face in Brazil, his confidence remains strong. "No doubt I'll be successful," he said. "You can't go down there thinking anything other than that." Added Hanger: "He's going to keep his nose clean and he's not going to do anything to embarrass himself or the team. He's going to do what his coach is going to ask him to do and be a team player." |
