Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

In the rough-and-tumble world of NCAA Division III basketball - especially in the highly competitive confines of the New Jersey Athletic Conference - it’s almost next to impossible to find quality post players.

“Especially now with so many schools going Division II and offering scholarships,” Rutgers-Newark men’s head basketball coach Joe Loughran said. “Everyone is looking for a quality big guy. There’s such a need everywhere.”

So when Loughran and his staff were in the running to secure the services of talented forward David Azoroh, they made sure that they sealed the deal.

“We were in a dogfight with The College of New Jersey and Ramapo for David,” Loughran said of the 6-foot-5 power forward from Ewing High School. “Since David is a good student, we sold him on the fact that he could get a Rutgers degree with us.”

“It just seemed as if they wanted me more than anyone else,” Azoroh said. “I also thought I’d fit in better there. Getting a good education was a big part for me. I’m a business major and a Rutgers degree would mean more than anything.”

Azoroh said that he did receive a little bit of grief spurning hometown TCNJ in favor of Rutgers-Newark. After all, Azoroh helped Ewing, just a stone’s throw away from TCNJ’s campus, reach the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions last year

“Everyone always asks me that,” Azoroh said. “I know the people in Ewing were a little disappointed. But I think everything happens for a reason. Rutgers was better for me. I needed to get away, just not too far away.”

Azoroh already has made an impact for the Scarlet Raiders. In six games, Azoroh is averaging 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds. He registered his best game recently in a 77-60 win over Montclair State, when he scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.

“No question, he has a chance to be very good,” Loughran said. “We know we still have some work with him, but finding a big man with good offensive skills and footwork is hard to find. He has good hands and good feet. He’s still making the adjustment of being a college player, but it will take some time. Once he starts to figure it all out, things will come together for him.”

Azoroh knows that he’s still a major work in progress.

“I’m learning every day,” Azoroh said. “I think it helps me a lot that I have people pushing me every day. If no one is pushing me, then I’ll never get any better. I knew I was going to get playing time this year. I just wanted to do well and if I did, then I’d get more time.”

Loughran said that Azoroh is not only benefitting playing behind seniors Mark Moorman and Hussein Abdelmaksoud, but also from working with former Scarlet Raider standout and current assistant coach Deshawn Singleton.

“No question, having Deshawn working with him is going to be a big benefit for David,” Loughran said. “We were doing a low post defensive drill in practice and Deshawn just jumped up and said, ‘No problem, I’ll do it.’ It helps that he’s in with Hussein and Mark every day. He’s learning from them every day.”

Azoroh believes that he’s holding his own so far.

“I think I’m doing okay,” Azoroh said. “I’m still adjusting, but I’m getting better. I know I have to play better defense. Coach Loughran talks about defense every day. He likes my offense, but I need to work on defense. I have been working on my low post defense a lot.”

Azoroh has already blocked four shots in six games. He’s blessed with incredibly long arms that will help his defensive improvement.

“He has some instincts defensively, but he needs to be more physical,” Loughran said. “He’s a low-keyed kid and doesn’t play with much emotion. We need him to be more physical, but that’s part of the process.”

Azoroh realizes that Loughran is looking for a little more toughness.

“To some extent, he thinks I’m a little too nonchalant,” Azoroh said. “I guess I have to get a little bit tougher.”

Azoroh hopes to get into the accounting field when his collegiate days are done, but that’s down the road a bit. His stay at R-N has just begun.

“I’m glad to be here,” Azoroh said. “It’s been good so far.”

“No question, we’re really happy to have David,” Loughran said. “He’s a nice kid. He’s very polite. He comes from a good family. He’s been a great addition to our program, especially helping our depth right now.”

Not to mention, Azoroh, a big-time get, is helping the entire future of the R-N men’s basketball program, because players like Azoroh are just hard to find.