BALTIMORE – Coppin State senior guard Daquan Brickhouse is fearless, feisty and funny.
Despite his 5 foot, 8 inch frame, Brickhouse plays with the swagger of dominant seven-footer. He has no problem attacking the basket against taller defenders, getting knocked to the floor by bigger players and breaking ankles of startled opponents who dare to get in his way.
A human energy drink, Brickhouse plays hard all the time. Off the court, Brickhouse enjoys making teammates laugh. Unfortunately for Brickhouse, he spent more time away from the court and the sport he loves, then he would have liked to this season because of an injury that required surgery.
Sitting on the sidelines was no laughing matter for Brickhouse, who missed 13 games this season. Watching his teammates practice and compete in games was more painful for Brickhouse than his actual injury.
Making matters worse was at the time of his injury, Brickhouse was in the midst of the best four-game stretch of his Coppin State career in which he was averaging 11.5 points per game in contests against UConn, Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Evansville. He scored a season-high 16 points against UConn.
“It was hard sitting out,” Brickhouse said. “I got hurt during the Evansville game and then I when I was told I would need surgery, I was devastated. Fortunately, I was told I would miss a month, so knowing I would be back by the end of the season helped me even though it was hard not being able to help my team out.”
Thanks to the diligent work of Coppin State Athletic Trainer Daniel Bellamy‘s grueling rehabilitation plan, Brickhouse is back in a big way for the Eagles.
Last week in two games against Delaware State and Norfolk State, Brickhouse provided a spark by averaging 11 points per game. Against Norfolk State, Brickhouse fully announced his return by sinking a halfcourt three-pointer at the halftime buzzer and then fracturing the fibula of a NSU defender with a wicked crossover dribble move that had the crowd in awe.
With two games remaining in the regular season beginning with Saturday’s contest against in-city rival Morgan State (4:00 p.m.) at Hill Fieldhouse, Brickhouse is cherishing every moment he has of playing collegiate basketball.
More than his scoring though, Brickhouse’s veteran presence offers first-year head coach Michael Grant another playmaker and defensive dynamo to throw at opponents.
“We want to finish strong and take that energy into the MEAC tournament,” Brickhouse said. “We have the mindset that we can beat anybody, but we have to take our energy and confidence into the tournament and work together as a team.”
Brickhouse along with seniors Arnold Fripp, Taariq Cephas, Dallas Gary, Jahvari Josiah and junior Sterling Smith will play their final home game next Thursday against Delaware State.
“My career here has been up-and-down,” Brickhouse said. “I think that comes with being a Division I athlete. You have good days and bad days. I had two great coaches to learn from during my time here. I had coach (Fang) Mitchell last year and coach (Michael) Grant this year. I learned a lot from the both of them. I am just happy and blessed to be surrounded good teammates and good friends. I am going to take this experience with me in life and take it on.”
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