Going Through Hoops

NORCROSS HIGH
Norcross, Ga.

HE HAS starred at the prestigious Nike All-America camp, heard the blandishments of recruiters and will soon begin his senior season with a college scholarship secured. In his time at basketball power Norcross (Ga.) High, Jordan DeMercy has made a real name for himself--without even playing in a varsity game.

DeMercy didn't plan it this way. Last November, after transferring from the Greater Atlanta Christian School (where his father, Jeff, says he struggled academically), the sharpshooting 6'6" junior learned, two weeks before the Norcross season opener, that he was ineligible. A state rule forbids private-to-public-school transfers who have not changed their address from playing on the varsity for one season. Says DeMercy, "I cried for days."

But DeMercy, who averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists as a sophomore, adjusted to life on the jayvee. While practicing with the varsity (which would go on to win the 5-A state championship), he used jayvee games to develop his perimeter-shooting skills and averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds. He even passed up a chance to accompany the varsity to an elite tournament in Anaheim in February, preferring to play in the jayvee regional tournament.

DeMercy had another setback last April, when he broke his wrist in an AAU game and failed to get an invitation to the well-scouted Nike All-America camp in July. Afraid that not participating might cost him a Division I scholarship, he drove eight hours from Atlanta to Indianapolis to lobby for a spot. Eventually he was accepted as a replacement for a no-show--and blew away the scouts from Day One. "I averaged about three dunks and 12 points a game," he says. One play, in which he caught a ball off the rim and slammed it, "brought the crowd to its feet," he says, proudly. DeMercy made the camp all-star team and began getting calls from Mississippi, Arkansas and Florida State, to which he committed last month. This Tuesday, Norcross, which is favored to defend its state title, opens its season against Shiloh ( Snellville, Ga.), and DeMercy is expected to finally assume his place in the varsity lineup. "The way things turned out," he says with a laugh, "I wouldn't change one step along the way."