Tulsa Standard

#8 Men's Basketball finished regular season play 18-2 on the year and gained an automatic bid to the National Tournament.

Throughout KCAC play, multiple Eagles were standouts; one being Derrick Talton Jr.

Talton Jr. had a phenomenal year for the Eagles defensively and led them in almost every defensive category.

HIGHLIGHTS

Talton Jr. recorded the following stats throughout the 2022-2023 regular season:

• Started 20 Games
• Averaged 27.1 Minutes a Game
• 85 Rebounds
• 89 Assists
• 55 Steals
• Averaged 9.4 Minutes a Game

Along with the previous, Talton Jr. was in the Top 5 nationally for steals per game & steals in a season.

COACHES REMARKS

"DJ is an absolute warrior and has one of the fiercest fires burning inside him that I have ever seen. His work ethic, character, grades, and attitude are what you dream for as a coach. He is the young man you want your young son to look to as a role model. Hats off to his amazing parents and high school coaches. What sets great warriors apart though is the fact that DJ needs no one to tell him he is special. He doesn't care how many shots he takes, he just want to win for his team and his King!

He doesn't need to be motivated. He demands greatness from himself. He plays injured. He loves practice, he is early every day even if we go at 5 am. He attacks his weaknesses. He is also one of the most unselfish players I have ever coached.

In less than 2 short years with DJ, I have seen him tackle his first 14K mountain and snorkeled with sharks in the ocean for the first time. He is fearless.

He a servant leader and a leader of leaders and that is just one of the many qualities that make him a great teammate. He will be the first to point to his teammates for this honor, because our team this season ranked no 2 Nationally in Def FG% and No 3 in Points Allowed. Those numbers are only accomplished by a group of warriors. It is true we have other great defenders and warriors, but we have a General leading this army that points to God and a group of close knit brothers that will run through a wall for each other.

DJ earned this honor! Congrats #3! My favorite DJ quote after I spoke to our team about what 'ER' does to words like Deep, Great, Lead, changing them to Deeper, Greater, and Leader. Without missing a beat, DJ says, "Erbody better bring it tonight"! That's my guy right there." 

Original source can be found here