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DeManby watches and waits Ex-South High star bides his time at Fresno By KRIS HENRY The NCAA basketball season is winding down to an eventful finish. Travis DeManby's season ended recently in a much more muted fashion. DeManby, last year's Southern Oregon Conference player of the year while at South Medford, spent this past winter riding the bench for a Fresno State University team that made it to the National Invitation Tournament. He only played in two exhibition games at the start of the season, then sat as a redshirt the rest of the schedule. Instead of being the "go-to" player, DeManby was the "who's-that?" guy in street clothes at the end of the Bulldogs' bench. When Fresno State lost to Cal in the first round of the NIT, it was the final collegiate basketball game for several players. For DeManby, it was one more step toward his chance to play. "I know he is going to help our team a lot," says Fresno State coach Jerry Tarkanian. "He definitely has the ability and potential." The 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard brought on this waiting game himself. After averaging 18 points a game and leading South Medford to a 24-4 record and seventh in the state, it was DeManby who sent tapes of himself hoping to hook a Division I scholarship. Only Tarkanian obliged. "I knew if I didn't take this opportunity, at least for a year, then later on in life I would have really regretted the decision I made," says DeManby. Instead of lighting it up each night at a Division II or lower institution, DeManby chose a road less traveled. "I had a lot of confidence coming in knowing that I could play. The coaches just didn't know. It's been my job to show them that I can play," he says. DeManby says he was recruited to fill out the roster. No promises were made on playing time. Whatever he would get at Fresno State, he would have to earn. Thanks to a nagging back injury and a pulled calf muscle earlier this season, DeManby's hopes of earning playing time were shelved for the season. His willingness to work at perfecting his craft, however, has earned DeManby something much more important -- respect. "Heading in, Tark said he thought I would be a 12th man for four years and that's it," DeManby says. "After seeing me practice and how hard I was working to improve, he said maybe it would be best to have me medical redshirt because of my injuries. That way I can still have all my eligibility left." Having to sit out the season might have actually been a blessing since the Bulldogs were loaded with guard talent. Courtney Alexander and Rob Wallace will be seniors next season, while the other guard to see action, Demetrius Porter, will be a junior. With continued improvement and good health, that should put DeManby in line for prime action in coming seasons. "We really haven't been able to see a whole lot of what he can do because of his injury, but we know he'll be able to come back from that ready to go," Tarkanian says. "He has great potential -- he is a great shooter and he loves the game. That's very important. He loves the game and really wants to reach his highest level." DeManby did see some action earlier in the season in Fresno State's two exhibition games, but neither came close to his "highest level." He played four minutes Nov. 4 against the California All-Stars and 15 minutes Nov. 8 against Team Prestige -- totaling zero points and three rebounds. "I was nervous. I didn't shoot in the first game, and the second game, I shot but it was all short," DeManby says. The most troubling aspect for the former South star was that he was 0-for-6 shooting against Team Prestige, including an 0-for-4 effort behind the 3-point arc. "The sad thing is that's what I'm supposed to do here," DeManby says of providing outside shooting. Tarkanian has won more than 700 games on the collegiate level and has a list of highlights that would make any of his peers envious. But despite his legendary status, Tarkanian's programs at UNLV and Fresno State have been darkened by allegations of improper conduct on his part and illegal act by some of his players. DeManby says all that matters to him is how Tarkanian and the staff at Fresno State deal with him as a student and a basketball player. "I look past it," DeManby says of rumors and innuendoes surrounding Tark and the Bulldogs. "I've had a few (friends) calling and asking questions, but I don't really get into it. There are a lot of jokes that go around, but I don't really pay attention to them." Many of those questions and jokes were spurred by a documentary broadcast this past Thanksgiving on last season's trials and tribulations, when most of the Bulldog players were in trouble with the law. "I didn't really watch it," DeManby says of the documentary. "I didn't really want to know what went on last year. "A lot of people have stereotyped us because of the problems we had last year, but things are a lot different this year. We had a big talk at the beginning of the season to put everything behind us from last year and focus on this year." That focus involved more concentration on setting a good example in the community, be it by visits to elementary schools or simply staying out of harm's way. "We can't let it happen again," DeManby says. "Any little thing a basketball player does is blown up here. The slightest thing is huge on top of the sports pages. We have to stay out of trouble." As a redshirt freshman, DeManby was allowed to practice and travel with the team. Sitting in street clothes on the bench, he was given ample opportunity to challenge his decision of attending Fresno State. "It's tough to not play, but there are so many more positives," he says. "I've never had to just sit and watch before. It feels different sitting in street clothes." That's not to say he doesn't get his work in. DeManby is up at 7 a.m. each day working on individual drills with assistant coach John Welch. "Coach Welch is amazing," DeManby says. "He's the kind of a guy where if you put in the time, he's willing to put in the time for you. It doesn't matter to him. He'll be there." DeManby's release has gotten quicker on his jump shot, and he has corrected the flaw in his technique that made his shots fall short earlier this season. None of this has gone unnoticed by Tarkanian. "What Travis wants to be is what is important, like I said before," the coach says. "He is a great kid and he goes out there and puts it all out there. He doesn't hold back. And that's just one thing we like about him." Even though he remains an unknown factor for the Bulldogs, DeManby says he has never been more sure of his decision to choose Fresno State. Now all that's left is repaying the faith the Bulldogs have shown in him by contributing on the court. "It's going to happen," DeManby says. "I just know it." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.