The Whole Package

Freshmen basketball starter overcomes health scare

Many think that 6-foot-10-inch freshman forward Jeff Pendergraph may eventually fill the void left by All-American Ike Diogu, who departed for the NBA after last season. But for a few tense weeks last summer, it seemed possible that Pendergraph might never have played a game for ASU.
After experiencing what he thought were “growing pains,” doctors discovered a tumor in Pendergraph’s left femur. But the news was good for Pendergraph: the tumor was benign. Still, the surgery to have it removed and the subsequent recovery left him unable to participate in any of the team’s pre-season conditioning or drills. He didn’t begin to work out until after the season started.
Even so, averaging only 20 minutes a game early in the season, Pendergraph was one
of the best players on the team.
He finished the season strong, and was named to the Pac-10’s All-Freshman team. Among Pac-10 freshmen, he was second in the league in points per game (11.1) and third in rebounds per game (6.2).
“ [Jeff’s] got the whole package,” said former Head Coach Rob Evans of Pendergraph early in the season. “He’s athletic and a very intelligent young man. His work ethic is unbelievable and his growth will continue all year.”
Pendergraph, who models his game after Kevin Garnett’s, says that he sees himself as a defensive presence on the inside, a rebounder and eventually the go-to inside scoring threat.
His development is crucial to the young team. Next season’s Sun Devils will have a different leader, as Vice President for Athletics Lisa Love announced March 10 that Evans would not be returning for a ninth and final year as head coach after the team struggled to a lackluster 11-17 finish and lost to Oregon State University in the opening round of the Pac-10 tournament. Love and others in the athletics department are hopeful that the coaching change will kick-start a new era of fan excitement for the men’s basketball team at ASU, which has made the NCAA tournament just three times in the past 22 years.
For now, Pendergraph has just been grateful for an opportunity to play this season.
“ The (health) situation made me rethink a lot of things,” he said. “After sitting on the sidelines for four months, I don’t take anything for granted.”

— Michael Green

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Jeff Pendergraph was named to the Pac-10’s All-Freshman team this season.