What a difference a year makes.
Last January, Winston- Salem State forward Jamal Durham was playing out of position at the center slot.
Most nights, he was matched up against players who stood 4 to 5 inches taller.
To make matters worse, the Rams were in the midst of the worst season at school history, finishing at 5-24 in their first Division I season.
With the Rams devoid of another true inside presence, Durham was asked to guard the opponent’s big men, including Georgetown 7-2 center Roy Hibbert and Kansas Darrell Arthur.
Durham’s numbers dropped considerably from his freshman season. His scoring average dropped from 9.7 to 8.1, and his shooting percentage dropped from 45 to just under 40 percent.
This season, however, the Rams have added more height to their lineup with 6-9 forward Paul Davis, 6-10 center Corey Morris, and 6-8 forward McIntoche Alcius, all freshmen.
The Rams’ added height and playing against smaller MEAC opponents have allowed Durham more freedom on the court. Thus, allowing him to have his most consistent season yet.
Through 14 games, Durham was the Rams’ leading scorer at 11.3 points per game, their second-leading rebounder at 5.1 per game. He was also second in minutes played and blocks. On Jan. 12, had his best game of the season, scoring 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the Rams ran University of Maryland-Eastern Shore ragged in a 105-59 win.
“The added height and the new players are helping out a lot,” Durham said. “They’re contributing off the bench, giving some quality minutes.”
WSSU’s head coach Bobby Collins has liked what he’s seen out of Durham so far this season.
“Jamal Durham has been playing extremely well for us; he’s been playing consistent,” said Collins. “It just seems like he’s a more rested Jamal Durham this year.
“I knew he could shine within this league. He’s playing extremely well for us, he’s hitting open shots, he’s crashing the boards, and he’s doing a really great job for us,” he said.
As one of the elder statesmen of the team, Durham says that this year he’s leading by example. “If I don’t do my best, I can’t expect the freshman to do their best,” Durham said. “My role is to rebound and to contribute any way I can. If I’m on the floor I’m gonna rebound, score when I have the chance, just be a leader.”
One area that Collins would like to see Durham improve is his vocal leadership.
“One thing that I wish he would do more is communicate his leadership instead of just showing it. Sometimes you have guys who show their leadership, he’s one that just does it by example. He doesn’t talk a lot, but he wants to win as much as the next guy.”