DeMarcus Deroche
Freshman, Key West
Basketball
“We believe he can be one of the greatest talents to ever come through our gym, and will push him to settle for nothing short of that.” – Dexter Butler, Conchs head coach
Conchs hoopster DeMarcus Deroche did not make the starting lineup for Key West until Dec. 16, but he has been making up for lost playing time. The freshman phenom has racked up at least five double-doubles, scoring 166 points, grabbing 137 rebounds and denying his opponents with 39 blocks so far this season. He leads his team in field goal percentage, a testament to his accuracy, but it is his bullish style of play that sets him apart. When Deroche goes up in the paint, he wills himself into position, scoring many of his points on put-backs and averaging 8.1 rebounds per game.
Head coach Dexter Butler paid his young athlete perhaps the greatest compliment, comparing Deroche to some of the best to ever wear crimson and gray.
“He brings memories of Eric Brown to me and even the stories and legends I have been told of my dad, Bill Butler,” he said. For his explosive, dominating play, Key West’s DeMarcus Deroche is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
