Weymouth’s O’Brien officially signs with Temple
Weymouth’s O’Brien eager for role at Temple
In Jake O’Brien
, Fran Dunphy
believes that he has added a 6-foot-9 power forward to the Temple men’s basketball program who will be an immediate contributor.
O’Brien (inset) is not a typical recruit. The Boston College High grad from Weymouth played three seasons at Boston University. His transfer, which attracted the interest of a number of Division 1 programs, including Boston College, became official Monday, with the start of classes at Temple.
“You get lucky every once in a while,’’ said Dunphy, entering his seventh season with the Owls after a successful 17-year run at Penn.
“Jake has a great opportunity to play significant minutes right away. We’ll be tested early in our season and to have somebody of his ability and experience is very meaningful for our team.
“He has all the intangibles and when you combine them with his knowledge of the game and his ability to make shots, he certainly makes us deeper and a better basketball program.’’
A former America East Rookie of the Year, the 23-year-old O’Brien has undergone two surgeries on his left foot in the last 18 months.
He requested his release from BU this summer after the Terriers became ineligible to participate in the America East tournament as punishment for their move to the Patriot League for the 2013-14 season.
Being barred from the conference tourney severely limits BU’s chances of qualifying for the NCAA tourney.
The senior is eligible to play right away for the Owls, who are shooting for their sixth consecutive NCAA appearance.
He opted for Temple over BC, Virginia, and Providence. A key part of the decision was O’Brien’s relationship with Temple assistant coach Dwayne Killings, who worked on Pat Chambers’s staff at BU during the 2010-11 season.
“Temple just kind of fit the criteria I was looking for,’’ said O’Brien. “I wanted to be at a place where I could come in and make an impact and also a program where the team has a chance for the NCAA tourney. Temple gives me both of those opportunities.’’
The Owls (24-8) were bounced in the first round by Southern Florida last March. In his junior season at BU, as a medical redshirt, O’Brien was forced to watch from the sideline when BU played in the tourney.
“It was an exciting time for BU, and to not be able to play and be on the outskirts was very tough,’’ said O’Brien. “Playing in the NCAA tourney is what every player dreams of and not being out there was a tough pill to swallow.’’
O’Brien initially fractured the navicular bone in his left foot 14 games into the 2010-11 season, and missed all of last year when the foot required a second surgical procedure in September.
In 2008-09, O’Brien was the top-scoring freshman in the America East, averaging 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He also made 61 three-pointers and had 29 blocked shots.
In what amounts to 2½ seasons, he finished with 1,020 points and hauled in 444 rebounds, hitting double figures in scoring in each season. He also totaled 138 three-pointers.
However, by the time O’Brien plays in Temple’s season opener in November, it will have been 23 months since his last action.
“I don’t see it being a problem and I anticipate that he’ll get right back into the swing of things very quickly,’’ said Dunphy, noting that O’Brien’s ability to shoot the 3 will help the Owls’ offense by spreading the floor.
“He’s a step-away-from-the-basket jump-shooting power forward who will be out on the court making good decisions and lend himself to being the best player he can be for us. We’ll use him a lot and we’ll use him early.’’
That is music to O’Brien’s ears, who at times wondered if he would ever return to the court.
“After the first surgery didn’t heal all the way, I honestly didn’t know if I’d be able to play again,’’ said O’Brien, who is pursuing a master’s degree in marketing at Temple. “The bone I broke is tricky to heal and after the first surgery I was definitely nervous.
“Not being able to play and sitting out for as long as I did has really motivated me to have a great last season and to make an impact with a team that has a good chance at making an NCAA run.’’
Stonehill grad goes pro
Stonehill grad Patrick Greene
signed a pro contract with the Telford Tigers of the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) Monday.
“I am really excited for this opportunity to play with the Telford Tigers,’’ said Greene, a Catholic Memorial graduate from Weymouth. “I have always dreamed of being able to play professional hockey; it is going to be a great experience.’’
An All-Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) selection last season, Greene played in all 25 games for the Skyhawks, leading the team in scoring with 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists).
“I am excited for Patrick, in that he will be able to play professionally and continue to get better by playing overseas,’’ said Stonehill coach Patrick Leahy
.
Greene ranks 11th overall on the all-time career assists leaderboard at Stonehill. He tallied 82 career points (24 goals, 58 assists) over 88 games.
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