Feb. 19, 2003
Special to SienaSaints.com
~By Kevin Martone (Collegehoopsnet.com)
Nothing fazes this freshman guard/forward they call "Scoop." Maybe it is the result of growing up the son of a tough Marine. Maybe it is the result of a history of moving around with his family from place to place. Maybe it is his experience on his own at prep school last year. Maybe it is the responsibility of helping raise his young daughter. Maybe it is the tutelage from more experienced basketball players Antoine Jordan received during his year away from organized basketball last season. Whatever the cause, Jordan's confidence and maturity have helped spark the Siena College Saints basketball team to success this season.
Siena Head Coach Rob Lanier appreciates Jordan's readiness for the college game. "Antoine brings a maturity beyond his years to our team, [as well as] a tireless work ethic," Lanier said. Jordan, like fellow first-year standout Michael Haddix, has successfully made the difficult transition to college basketball with hard work and confidence. But Jordan does not take full credit for his early success; he credits a lot of strong influences. "My father...taught me almost everything I know, in basketball and in life," Jordan said. Jordan's father, a Marine, also supplied "discipline around the house and even on the court." Jordan now uses his early lessons in discipline to keep him focused and working hard every day in practice and during games. Coach Lanier is glad Jordan has such a strong foundation; he likes Jordan's "attitude, energy, and talent."
His time away from organized basketball last season, which was required when his Prep School - Celestial Academy in Philadelphia - closed down mid-season, may have also helped Jordan mature quickly. "I played a lot of open gym...with older players," Jordan said. "They showed me different ways to play and [supplemented my knowledge] of the game."
Jordan's moves - with his family from Baltimore to North Carolina, then back to Baltimore and Randallstown, MD, and then on his own to Philadelphia for prep school - have also helped Jordan become flexible and independent. "When I lived in North Carolina, I played guard," Jordan remembered. "Then when I moved [back] to Baltimore, I was a center. So I had to get used to playing both [positions]." These experiences have resulted in his versatility and perseverance. Jordan is also thankful for the support of his entire family. His mother, father, younger brother, and daughter have already attended a few games this season, and Jordan will see a lot more family and friends when Siena visits Loyola College in Baltimore on February 11th. "From what I'm hearing, it will be a large crowd [of family and friends]," Jordan said.
His fans will see Jordan play an important role on the Siena team. Jordan is a solid contributor on this year's Saints team, averaging nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and almost two steals per game. Lanier has been surprised by some of Jordan's contributions so early in his career. "I knew how athletic he was coming in, and I knew he could score, but his shooting has been a pleasant surprise," said Lanier. "Also, he gives us another rebounder, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He has a nose for the basketball." In fact, Lanier has rewarded Jordan's hard work and confident play with a position in the starting lineup over the past seven games. But don't expect this new role to affect Jordan's play. "It feels the same as when I was coming off the bench," Jordan said. "I was [already] getting a lot of minutes. I still go out and play the same."
Jordan's success has only motivated him to work harder. Jordan would like to learn to "play at [his] own pace, [staying] under control." Jordan is still "developing [his] complete game." He'd like to be able to "run point guard when [the team needs him], hit shots, and become more of a team player [overall]." He also wants to increase his overall strength. "I just want to get to that point where everything is on all cylinders and just clicks automatically," Jordan said. Coach Lanier would like Jordan to improve "his strength, his on-the-ball defense, and his ball handling." With these improvements and continued effort, Lanier "envisions [Jordan] being a leader down the road [for the Saints.]"
Academically, Jordan is still experimenting at Siena. Currently a Computer Science major, Jordan is considering a career in computer graphics, possibly designing and developing cartoons. However, he is keeping his options open. "I am thinking about changing [my major] to something in the arts," Jordan said. He feels his greatest challenges academically are maintaining his focus on academics while on road trips and keeping an open mind with all the options available to him at Siena. Saints fans expect nothing less from the freshman. They've seen Jordan exhibit only maturity and confidence on the court. And his creativity off the court may eventually creep into his steady game. If so, here's the early "Scoop:" the future looks even brighter for this young star.
