Austin Donaldson rarely has any noticeable stats. He also admits he often doesn’t know what’s going on when he’s running the offense.
But the freshman point guard may hold the key for the Georgia State men’s basketball team’s (14-11, 7-9) chances of defending its Sun Belt Conference tournament title.
“He reminds me of a lot of myself in college, except I had better hair,” Panthers coach Ron Hunter said. “I love dudes (like Austin) that when he’s done, he leaves everything out on the floor.”
Donaldson made his first start last week against Arkansas State. It may not be a coincidence that the Panthers won to snap a four-game losing streak and move one step closer to securing a spot in the conference tournament in New Orleans. Georgia State will take another step toward that in Tuesday's game at Georgia Southern.
Fed up with the inefficiency of the offense (Georgia State's points per game are among the worst in Division I) when run by either Isaiah Williams or Isaiah Dennis, Hunter turned to the freshman a week ago at South Alabama. Donaldson had two points and two assists in 10 minutes. The Panthers lost by one point. Two days later, Donaldson turned in 20 minutes against Troy, posting one point, two assists and five steals. The Panthers again lost by one point. But they had a chance to win both games.
Those have been Donaldson’s typical stat lines in the past five games.
In the win against Arkansas State, he had four points, one assist and one steal.
Certainly not eye-popping stats, but it was Donaldson’s energy, particularly on one play, that revved up the team. Seeing a gap in the Red Wolves’ defense, Donaldson drove into the free-throw lane, jumped as a defender slid in and hit a shot. It was waved off because Donaldson was whistled for a charge, despite the protestations of Georgia State’s bench, players and most watching in the Sports Arena.
“If I make a mistake, at least do it hard and something good might come out of it,” he said.
Most of the time when he’s on offense, Donaldson brings the ball down, makes a pass and tries to get out of the way. He has leaned on Williams and Dennis during practices to help him. He leans on Kevin Ware, who alternated with Donaldson at point, during the games.
He said the casual fan probably wouldn’t know that he’s still trying to figure out where he’s supposed to go and what he’s supposed to do.
“My facial expressions, the way I’m moving, you’ll never notice,” he said.
The same is mostly true on defense too in Hunter’s various zone schemes. After playing man to man in leading Jonesboro to a state title, he said he is still getting used to playing in a zone. He has tried to apply some of the same principles: don’t let the man he is defending get into the free-throw lane and don’t let him score. He seems to be picking it up quickly considering his lack of playing time.
Before his insertion against South Alabama, Donaldson had 12 DNPs in the previous games. His career-high was four minutes in the season’s second game against Emmanuel.
Despite the long layoffs, he said he would try to be the first to practice and the last to leave. He would work as hard as he could on the scout team.
“Anything my team needed me to do,” he said.
Now, it seems likely Donaldson will continue to start.
Williams looks more comfortable in his new role as a shooting guard with at least 10 points in the past four games, capped by 17 against Arkansas State.
Hunter seems more comfortable starting a freshman, something he has rarely done with the exception of R.J. Hunter, and said he is excited for Donaldson’s future once he learns the offense and defense.
Donaldson seems more comfortable with Hunter’s sense of humor. He laughs when told what said Hunter said about his hair.
“As long as we are playing hard, busting out butts and getting ‘W’s’, he can’t say too much about it,” Donaldson said.
