Even for a short time, Darius Garland’s dedication to Vanderbilt University became an essential part of the program and was a vivid testimony to his extraordinary talent. The addition of Garland, a sought-after player, gained quite a bit of enthusiasm among the Commodores’ supporters.
He was in great form during the five matches he played before the injury, and his performance confirmed his immense talent, which began his pro career.
Early Brilliance: Garland’s Immediate Impact at Vanderbilt
Garland joined Vanderbilt as the top-ranked player in the program. The RSCI rated him 15th. In his first game, which was played on Nov. 6, 2018, he scored 24 points, and thus, Vanderbilt won the game.
Consequently, a meager two weeks later, he was responsible for the team’s victory over Liberty, where he scored a career-high of 33 points—the second-highest score of a freshman in Vanderbilt’s history. These early displays led to him being named SEC Freshman of the Week, in which he scored an average of 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over two games.
Garland had impressive stats during his short college career: He scored 16.2 points, a rebound of 3.8, and could dish 2.6 assists per game. The shooting success rates were 53.7% from the field and 47.8% from the three-point line, the effective field goal percentage was 63.9%, and the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) was 23.6. These figures show his superior efficiency and ability to score, which is depicted on the court.
Coach Bryce Drew, who had known Garland since childhood, expressed high praise for the freshman’s abilities, stating:
“Darius had a very successful surgery and will be better than ever when he returns.”
This sentiment reflected the high expectations and belief in Garland’s potential, even in adversity.
Injury and Its Aftermath
One of the shining beacons of Garland’s season came to a premature end on Nov. 23, 2018, with a knee injury he sustained during an encounter with Kent State. It was early in the game, only two minutes, when the unfortunate event took place, and the diagnosis later revealed that he would not be able to play anymore this season.
No doubt, Garland suffered the most and Vanderbilt had to wave goodbye to the chance of his very promising debut.
Garland decided to withdraw from Vanderbilt on January 22, 2019, to prepare for the 2019 NBA Draft. Hence, he prioritized his recovery and preparation for the NBA Draft to avoid further injury, which is common in basketball. Although the public did not get a chance to see him play games at the college level, his skills and potential seemed to be well-known among NBA scouts and team management.
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He attended the NBA Draft Combine but did not stay long because a team had promised him a lottery pick.
In conclusion, Garland’s college career, though brief, was marked by exceptional talent, resilience in the face of adversity, and a lasting impact on the Vanderbilt basketball program. His journey underscores the notion that even short-lived experiences can leave enduring legacies.
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