Colorado University Athletics
Coleman Helps Lead 14ers To NBA D-League Title
BROOMFIELD, Colo.?Former University of Colorado menGÇÖs basketball standout Dominique Coleman recently helped lead the Colorado 14ers to the National Basketball Association Development League Championship over the Utah Flash.
GÇ£It felt great, IGÇÖve never won a real championship before that,GÇ¥ Coleman said. GÇ£IGÇÖve won Pro-Ams, 3-on-3 tournaments and things like that but as far as a real championship this is the first that IGÇÖve been a part of. Junior College was probably the closest thing I had before this was when we were the tournament champs, but a real overall championship?where there is only one winner; that was my first.GÇ¥
Coleman came to CU in 2005 as a transfer from Hillsborough Junior College after leading the nation in scoring (27.1 ppg) and being named the state of FloridaGÇÖs high school Mr. Basketball in 2003. Coleman played two years (2005-07) under Ricardo Patton; he received his degree in August 2008 from the University of Colorado with a degree in sociology. He had a successful career at CU, especially his senior season (2006-07) when he led the team in rebounding and set the school record for rebounds in a season by a guard (185). He also led the team in assists (3.4), steals (1.6) and field goal percentage (.524).
Coleman was easily one of the most important players on a team that proved its dominance throughout the regular season and carried it through the postseason on their way to winning the leagueGÇÖs championship. During the regular season, Coleman played in all 50 games while starting 47 of them and leading the team in rebounding (7.8 per game) and steals (2.88), finishing second in assists (4.8), third in minutes (33.6) and fourth in scoring (15.4) for a team that finished the regular season with the leagueGÇÖs best record at 34-16.
GÇ£My role was to defend the other teamGÇÖs best player, which was a compliment from my coach,GÇ¥ Coleman explained. GÇ£He wanted me to rebound and get in the passing lanes; I was very active with steals. I was asked to score when I was in rhythm and when I had open shots?he never wanted me to turn down an open shot. He wanted me to be as offensive as the game would let me be, some game would call for me to score 20-25 and others would call for me to score 10-15; my primary role was defense and rebounding, scoring was just something I brought with it.GÇ¥
During the finals, ColemanGÇÖs role only increased as he started both games in the best-of-three series and led the team in minutes played in both games, 42:03 in the first game and 30:02 in the series clincher. Coleman averaged 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals against the Flash in the championship round.
Looking back on the D-League experience, Coleman said that it really helped him develop as a player and that he thinks that it is a very valuable learning tool as well as a great place for guys to get a second chance at playing basketball professionally.
GÇ£ItGÇÖs good because you can see where youGÇÖre at and develop your skills,GÇ¥ Coleman said. GÇ£They work with you a lot; we get more work done in our off-time than we do in games. We worked on a lot of things and I think it helped me see the game clearer, understand the game more and just different things along those lines.GÇ¥
Now that the season is over, Coleman is looking into other options for where heGÇÖll be playing basketball next. He said heGÇÖs received interest from a number of NBA teams [Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers] and while the 14ers NBA affiliates are the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets, he is just hoping to make an NBA team next season.
GÇ£I caught interest from a few NBA teams, so I have a few workouts set up and some summer league opportunities,GÇ¥ Coleman said. GÇ£Other than that, IGÇÖm just going to continue to train and look for the best opportunity.GÇ¥