Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart has guided his team to one of Saturday’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament semifinals in Houston, but he probably wouldn’t mind having another good shooter at his disposal. Dewayne Garner plans to be there, but sorry, Coach, he’s out of eligibility.
Garner is a 1987 Brainerd High School graduate who after two years at Hiwassee College played at Virginia Commonwealth from 1989 to ’91. His soft shooting touch is on display now in a 35-and-over pickup league in the Detroit area.
“He’s one of those what you call a pure shooter,” said Robert High, who recently completed his 36th season as Brainerd’s head coach. “You don’t get those too often.”
Garner now can only root for VCU, which was one of the last four of 37 at-large teams given spots in the championship field. Thus the Rams were part of the inaugural “First Four” and now are in the Final Four.
VCU defeated Southern Cal 59-46 on March 16 at Dayton, Ohio, moving on as an 11th-seeded team, then had one day off before having to play in Chicago. After winning by 18 points each over sixth-seeded Georgetown and third-seeded Purdue, the Rams had their first Sweet 16 berth.