Player Profile: Darius Wallace

By Tyler Daron

Knightly News Reporter

tyler.daron@mymail.centralpenn.edu

Darius Wallace, a sophomore who grew up in Dallas, Pa., and graduated from Dallas High School, is ready for this year’s basketball season.

Wallace ended last season averaging 6.7 points per game, tallying 32 assists, 27 steals, 41 rebounds and an 89.7% free-throw percentage. He looks to continue this momentum this season and keep the ball rolling.

But let’s get to know Darius Wallace a little more off the court.

When he was young, Wallace was around various sports, but basketball seemed to stand out to him. Wallace says his interest in basketball started when he would play on the minihoop inside his home with his father.

Wallace became a multisport athlete in high school, competing in basketball and track, with many personal achievements.

“The most memorable accolade of my sports career was winning conference MVP my senior year of high school, then months later winning the district medal in track,” Wallace says.

Wallace is focused on basketball and plans to continue this for the foreseeable future. But these achievements didn’t come easy. In fact, Wallace encountered some significant obstacles along the way.

Wallace struggled to get playing time as an underclassman in high school. This took a toll on him mentally.

“(I) felt as if I was letting myself down.”

He knew something needed to change, so he pushed himself to work harder to overcome this obstacle.

Someone else who has overcome many obstacles in his career is the person who Wallace says inspires him, Kyrie Irving. Even though Irving is a polarizing figure to many, he looks up to him because of his play and what he does off the court. Wallace noted that Irving speaks his mind, doesn’t let anyone change who he is and doesn’t care about public perception of him.

Wallace started as a freshman on last year’s Central Penn College men’s basketball team, an impressive feat, to say the least. He sees his role in this season and contributes consistently, being an all-around player the Knights can rely on.

Something that helps any team be great is its relationships on and off the court. Wallace said the relationships between him, his teammates and his coaches are excellent.

Wallace noted: “I get along with my teammates and coaches very well, and the teammates I have are brothers to me.”

Wallace’s aspirations for this season are winning the conference championship and making it to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Small College National Championship Tournament.

Eventually, Wallace wants to play basketball overseas, because, as he says, “I enjoy playing basketball more than anything.”

Through four games this season, Wallace is averaging 10.5 points per game and leads the Knights with 24.5 minutes per game.