June 22, 2012
You never know who you’re going to see at Coach Stallings’ basketball camps. After venturing over to check out the proceedings, we ran into former Commodore great Jermaine “Dolluh” Beal, who is in town to work camps and visit old friends.
Beal, who averaged 14.6 points per game and was named a first team All-SEC player in his senior season in 2010, still remains the winningest four-year scholarship player in Vanderbilt history (69% winning percentage).
The Dallas, Texas, native sat down with vucommdores.com and informed us about what he’s been up to.
Where were you last year?
Last year I was in Belgium for nine months. It was a good experience. I had fun and played against Shan Foster four times.
You light him (Shan) up?
We beat them one game, and in the game we beat them I had 22 points.
Are you playing the one and the two?
Last year, I was more of a combo guard, playing both point guard and shooting guard.
What did you average last year?
11.7 points per game.
Talk about the process for next year…
Right now, I’m just training and working out, and I’m a free agent, so I’m just waiting to see. There are probably some teams in Belgium that want me back, but I’m going to see if I can get on with a different country and a different market.
How many years in a row have you worked this camp?
I’ve worked this camp for five years in a row.
How often do you come back to Nashville?
I try to come back and work camp, and then also to train. Nashville is a great city, and is like a second home to me. Everyone embraced me after coming here, so whenever I can, I like to come back to Nashville and show some love back.
You keep track of the other guys in Europe and playing overseas?
Alex Gordon and I are pretty good friends. Last year, Alex was in France and Germany. I stay in contact with Shan, Alex, Byars – I talk to DB a lot. I actually played against JT (Julian Terrell) last year in Belgium.
So you, Shan, and JT were in Belgium?
Yes. JT was in Belgium for two months.
What do you miss the most about being at Vanderbilt?
The atmosphere, the fans, and the coaches here in Nashville. It’s a great city, and the four years I spent here were the best times of my life. I like coming back to work camps, work with the kids, and meet up with old friends.
You hit any clutch shots in Belgium?
I can’t say I hit any, although I think every shot I hit is a clutch shot. I actually had one buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter, but no game-enders or anything like that.
Any prospects for the NBA Summer League?
Yes. The draft is next week. So, right now I’m just waiting. I’m hoping to get on with a summer league team, and if that falls through, I’ll head back over to Europe.
Have you played in the Summer League before?
Right after I graduated, I played with Miami. Last year there wasn’t a Summer League because of the NBA Lockout.
What’s your advice to the guys who just graduated, or in John’s case, left a year early?
I would just tell them to be a professional. You have to carry yourself in a certain way. You never know who’s watching you. But, you just have to be you. If you came through Vanderbilt, and you were around nice people in this atmosphere, then I think at the end of the day you’ll be successful.
