Joe WeeksContributing Reporter
Joe Weeks
Senior guard Rusty LaRue will make a quick transition from football to hoops.
La rue is French for "the street." LaRue for the Demon Deacons could mean the best sixth man in college basketball and a trip to the Final Four.
Senior Rusty LaRue is coming off yet another productive football season as the Demon Deacons' starting quarterback just in time for the first Deacon basketball game against Mount Saint Mary's. His NCAA record of 55 completions in one game has brought LaRue national exposure, increased acknowledgment from professional scouts and a prime time clip on ESPN. LaRue savors the spotlight and looks forward to leading the powerful hoops squad to another tremendous season.
LaRue is the only senior on a young and powerful team with the retirement of senior Barry Canty, LaRue's good friend and classmate. LaRue lives for a challenge -- fully expecting and capable of being a leader along with All-American junior Tim Duncan. With the departure of Randolph Childress, '95, LaRue's enthusiastic and demanding work ethic will lead by example as he develops into the Deacons' clutch player.
Many times last year LaRue was open for a three-pointer to win the game, like he did against Richmond when he shot a game-winning three with under 20 seconds left.
But Childress was the dominating force, and he always took control. LaRue respected Childress and never challenged his role as a leader and clutch performer. Childress is gone and this is another year, LaRue's year. This is his turn to take the shot when the game is on the line, because, as LaRue said it best, "I've earned it."
This year's team is a different one that is younger and looks for more balanced scoring than last year. LaRue would like to start but enjoys coming off the bench. Comparisons to the beloved Marc Blucas, '94, are inevitable, and LaRue feels honored to be considered in such a light.
Just like Blucas, LaRue is tenacious, a solid defender with quick hands and a potent three point threat.
But, LaRue adds, "I want to be more of a scorer." This is a typical response from a three sport legend with academic honors and a 3.2 G.P.A. in his computer science major. He is the first ACC athlete in 42 years to participate in football, basketball and baseball during the same academic year. Despite the fact that LaRue professes, "I have no real role models," he has become a role model for ACC athletes and students.
He is capable of making almost any shot on the basketball court. He can recall winning at least two games in high school with half court shots or longer, and he occasionally practices 30 to 40-foot jump shots, because, LaRue said, "You never know when you might need that shot in a game."
LaRue's goal is to average double digits in points this year. He hopes to improve on his 1994-95 statistics of scoring double digits six times, with the pinnacle being a 17 point effort against Oklahoma State in the NCAA Tournament. The Deacons will need this kind of scoring and marksman-like three-point shooting if they are to make it back to the Sweet 16 or further.
LaRue is a career 41.3 percent three-point shooter, but he will look to shoot near 50 percent from downtown as he challenges for the top spot in the ACC.