Transition Under Pressure – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/17/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
November 17, 1998
The first step on a college campus for your average freshman can be a little intimidating and even humbling. Everyone deals with changes that will shape the rest of their life in the first year alone. They encounter new kinds of pressure like choosing a major, taking finals and playing basketball in front of more than 19,000 fans who are hungry for a winning season.
Sorry, did that say average freshman? If most students had to do anything in front of a big crowd their first year of school, they would probably pack up and go home. But for Will Dudley and the rest of the Ohio State men’s basketball team, it is an occurrence they will have to get used to.
Dudley, a 6-foot-9 forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., is no stranger to pressure. A member of the Brooklyn All-Catholic first team and a Street and Smith’s honorable mention All-America selection, Dudley helped propel Bishop Loughlin High School to a national Top 10 USA Today ranking for most of last year. He is used to playing in big games and contributing in front of crowds. Just none the size of the Value City Arena.
“It’s something you can’t even explain,” Dudley said with a smile. ” I came from a gym where the capacity was 830 to an arena of 19,500. When we played our first game… I was in awe. It really let me know that I was in the middle of a big-time program.”
Not only does Dudley have to adapt to a new team and arena, he also has to deal with living away from home. So far he is handling the transition thanks to Columbus’s easy-going atmosphere, support of family members and a familiar roommate in Brian Brown. Brown has been Dudley’s teammate since sixth grade and is a freshman point guard for OSU. The duo had a hand in each others final decision to commit to Ohio State.
“Before I went to visit OSU, Will had already gone and told me that he liked it,” Brown said. “Will told me to let him know what I thought because he was definitely thinking about going. We called Coach O’Brien the day after I came back from my visit and let him know we were coming over together.” Dudley really appreciates not only having a roommate from New York, but an entire coaching staff from the East Coast.
“When you get that first case of homesickness, its nice to have people who can relate to you,” Dudley said. “Living with Brian is like having a family member down here. And even though this is my first year on this team, when we step on the floor we’re a family.”
Well, the coaches are certainly glad to have Dudley as a part of the ‘family’. Rick Boyages, OSU associate head coach, said the Buckeyes need help in the front court and Dudley could earn playing time as a freshman. Also, he is excited to know Dudley will be around for four years and will have plenty of time to develop into a more complete player.
“Will is a long, lanky, rebounder whose biggest challenge is going to be adjusting to physical play at this level,” Boyages said. “Over the course of the first two or three years we hope to see him put on some weight and really develop into a formidable player.”
Boyages believes fans will be able to see an incredible physical transformation in Will over the next few years, and that is one of the main reasons they were excited about recruiting him. Boyages knows with Dudley’s solid work ethic he can beef up his slim 220 pound frame. He cites Michael Redd’s gain of about 20 pounds over the off-season as an example.
The coaches are equally pleased with Dudley on a more personal level. His casual demeanor and even-tempered disposition make him easy to coach.
“He’s just a terrific young man,” Boyages said. “He’s a pleasure to deal with on and off the court. He’s a very low maintenance player. A real gentleman.”
Brown knows Dudley better than anyone at OSU, especially after living with him for the past few months. He says Dudley is an easy person to live with. The two of them like the same music, are both fairly neat and like to do silly things and joke around a lot.
“He’s kind of quiet and keeps more to himself,” Brown said. “He can be a little shy when you first meet him, but once he gets to know someone more he will open up.”
Overall, Dudley’s character really speaks for itself when he credits his parents, pastor and grandmother for motivation to succeed at OSU.
“I think that every successful person has 10 or 20 people behind him working in his behalf,” Dudley said. “I think I’m just blessed. Not lucky, just blessed.”
By Cameron Yannayon
Athletic Communications
