Meet The Beavers: Derrick Bruce
October 22, 2015 | Men's Basketball
The Oregon State men's basketball team opens its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14 against Northwest Christian at Gill Coliseum. To help preview the 115th season in school history, and Year II of the Wayne Tinkle coaching era, we sat down with the team's newcomers to find out more about them.
Freshman point guard Derrick Bruce spent a year at West Oaks Academy in Orlando following his graduation from Colony High School in Moreno Valley, Calif. He was MVP of the Mt. Baldy League, a first-team Inland Valley all-star as a senior and ranked no. 124 in Rivals.com's top 150 national players.
Do you remember your first dunk?
BRUCE: “Actually I don't remember. I think it was about ninth grade, going into 10th grade. It was something I practiced and tried to do since I was a little kid. I would go out on my front yard and dunk on a shorter basket, put it down. It felt great.”
What pregame routines or superstitions do you have?
BRUCE: “I used to listen to music before games, but then I stopped because it made me get too serious. Now I just play around before the games to get the nerves out, but once the game starts it is all business and (any nervousness) is all gone.”
What number would you choose if you could choose your own number?
BRUCE: “No. 4, my number. When I was younger I saw my dad wear number 4, and nobody in the NBA who is that good has number No. 4. So I want to make a name for the number.”
What is the best sports movie you've ever seen?
BRUCE: “'Love and Basketball' is my favorite movie. But the best sports movie is 'Sixth Man.'”
Which Pac-12 city are you most looking forward to visiting?
BRUCE: “Back home, Los Angeles. I can't wait to go to UCLA or USC, schools I looked up to all my life. I've played at the Galen Center, but not at Pauley Pavilion.”
What other sport did you like to play growing up?
BRUCE: “I played football all the way through ninth grade. Then my parents told me to pick a sport so I could focus on one. I think I was better at football, but I liked basketball more. I played soccer and baseball for a year, but football was my sport. I played quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and safety.”
Do you prefer to play Call of Duty, FIFA 16, or Madden 16?
BRUCE: “I like all of them, but I've grown to like FIFA 16. Barcelona is my team, I like Lionel Messi.”
What would be your favorite vacation destination?
BRUCE: “I would go to Spain, to see a soccer game.”
You lived in Orlando for a year while attending prep school. How many times did you go to Disney World?
BRUCE: “We played at Disney World once, but that was the only time I went there. I could have, but I didn't.”
How much will already living away from home for a year help you this year?
BRUCE: “It has helped a lot. My year in Orlando I struggled a lot, managing my money, getting the food I need, cooking for myself, and all that. It really prepared me for this year, how life off the court was going to be.”
