Dominicans' Angel in the clouds after terrific season
NEW YORK (NCAA/2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - There is plenty to be excited about for those involved with the Dominican Republic national team program.
There is recent history, the here and now, and the future.
In terms of history, the Dominicans are coming off a first FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance in 36 years and a title-winning campaign at the Central American and the Caribbean Games for Men.
In terms of the present, the country is No. 20 in the FIBA bwin Ranking Men, and just several months away from taking part in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
As for the future, it is extremely bright.
Karl Towns has revealed himself to be arguably the best freshman in the NCAA at title-chasing Kentucky, and a bona fide lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
And less celebrated but no less important are many other Dominican players that will make the team one of the most competitive in the region for years to come.
One of them is Angel Delgado of Seton Hall University in New Jersey, a 2.06m power forward.
ICYMI: Angel Delgado became the 2nd Pirate ever to win BIG EAST Rookie of the Year! http://t.co/LtUhqo4A8u pic.twitter.com/3nchwuypjD
— Seton Hall MBB (@SetonHallMBB) March 13, 2015
Felicidades @angelluis45 !!! Orgulloso de tu logro! @RDBSeleccion pic.twitter.com/dJQpgR9PIj
— Eduardo Najri (@enajri) March 11, 2015
Delgado, who hails from Bajos De Haina, has not been in the limelight like Towns, but maybe he should have been.
He was named as the Big East Rookie of the Year after nearly averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.
The award, he says, is something he will treasure always.
"I was very happy for this, but I have this trophy because of the help of my friends, my team, and I'm very happy for them as well," Delgado said.
"It means a lot.
This [award] is going to be in my heart forever - Delgado
"This is one of the most important things that God has given me."
In one game against DePaul this season, Delgado had 19 points and 19 rebounds.
He was ferocious on the offensive boards in that game, collecting eight rebounds.
Delgado finished as the top-rebounding freshman in the entire United States.
He was the Big East leader in double-doubles (10) and the Big East rebounding champion (10.7 rebounds per game).
Delgado averaged 9.3 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Pirates and shot 55.5 percent from the floor - the top mark among all Big East rookies.
It remains to be seen if the Dominicans, who have yet to name a replacement for coach Orlando Antigua, will have Delgado on their roster this summer.
The national team was drawn in Group A of the FIBA Americas Championship (25 August to 6 September) with Mexico, Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
FIBA
