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Sometimes, the first choice isn’t necessarily the best. Neumann-Goretti grad Derrick Rivera (2006) found this out firsthand, when he went from being a First Team All-Catholic and Associated Press All-State selection to playing in just 13 games for the St. Joseph University Hawks during his ’07-08 sophomore season. This was the same school he verbally committed to as a high school junior.
But thanks to a move north to Upstate New York’s Binghamton University following his disappointing second year, the 6-foot-4 guard seems quite content in his new setting.
"I like Binghamton. The environment, people, team and coaches are all cool," Rivera said recently.
The out-of-state transfer is turning in to a win-win for player and team. Rivera went from averaging 4.4 points per contest as a sophomore to the America East Conference’s leading scorer (20 points per game). He also finished among the league leaders in rebounding (6.5 per game), field-goal percentage (47.3) and steals (1.8).
"I’ve had success at Binghamton because I was able to go out and play my game and be D.J.," he said.
Typically, when a player transfers from one Division I program to another, NCAA rules require the player to sit out a year. Rivera had special circumstances that allowed him to bypass the eligibility issue and immediately suit up for the Bearcats.
"Personally, I didn’t really care. I had a lot of achievements," Rivera said of the outcome.
The biggest was being named MVP of the America East Conference tournament following Binghamton’s 61-51 victory over University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the title game, which earned the school its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Making the tournament did a lot for the team and myself. It meant a lot because it was the first time Binghamton had ever made the tourney," he said.
Unfortunately, it was no Cinderella story. The school suffered an 86-62 first-round loss to No. 2 Duke University. Rivera, who contributed 20 points, five rebounds and two steals in the losing cause, said making the dance was a great experience.
"Me and my team just took all the good out of it and learned from our mistakes and things like that," he said. "Hopefully, we’ll be back here next year."
Individually, this National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District team selection — another Binghamton first — has set some high expectations for senior year.
"My ego wasn’t fazed by my sophomore performance at St. Joe’s," Rivera said. "I haven’t really changed much since I entered St. Joe’s. Now, I’m just showing off my game."
