MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Monmouth hoops: Deion Hammond takes centerstage for Hawks

Stephen Edelson
Asbury Park Press

WEST LONG BRANCH - From the moment Deion Hammond set foot on campus last year, he didn’t look like a freshman.

Monmouth sophomore guard Deion Hammond during a recent practice at OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch.

The first time he walked onto the OceanFirst Bank Center hardwood he poured in 13 points in a victory over a Bucknell team that would reach the NCAA Tournament. That was two days before scoring a team-high 17 points against Seton Hall, which won a game in March Madness.

By season’s end, no Monmouth player had scored more points than he had, with MAAC All-Rookie team honors bestowed on the 6-4 guard from Mitchellville, Maryland.

Which brings us to last Saturday’s scrimmage against Caldwell, when Hammond, now a Preseason All-MAAC third-team selection, scored what seemed like an effortless 12 points, hitting 4-of-6 3-pointers.

Things are a little different now. There are expectations, for both Hammond, and the program he’s quickly becoming the face of.

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Monmouth head coach King Rice has been down this path before with players like Justin Robinson and Micah Seaborn, and seems unfazed by any of it.

"Deion probably looks at being third team preseason as an insult, because of the work he put in and what he did last year," Rice said. "He’s a guy we think can really be one of the better players in this league, and he gets to show that this year.

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"Deon has taken that step. I talked to him about when Micah took that step, when Justin took that step as sophomores. When Justin said as a sophomore that we’re one of the best teams, I thought it was the craziest thing ever. But the time that that kid put in and with who he knew he had with him, he wasn’t scared to say it. So Deion is not as verbal as Justin, but I think Deion thinks we have a big chance to take some major steps this year, and especially him."

Those are comparisons that don’t get thrown around lightly, with Robinson, a 2,000-point scorer, now competing at the highest levels in France, while Seaborn was selected in the first round of last month’s NBA G League Draft by the Detroit Piston’s affiliate.

But Hammond’s numbers last season, when he averaged 12 points-per-game, connecting on a team-high 76 3-pointers, along with 2.4 rebounds, compare favorably to those two. Robinson averaged 7.1 points as a freshman, while Seaborn scored at 13.2-point clip in his first season.

Hammond isn’t much on talking about himself, continually shifting the focus back to the team, with wins, not personal accolades, topping his goals for the season.

"There’s really such an excitement, an anticipation to see what this team is capable of," Hammond said. "I know I can’t wait."

Monmouth guard Deion Hammond (3) drives to the basket against Siena Saints guard Kadeem Smithen (5) during second half at Ocean First Bank Center.

While it’s unclear what the Hawks’ starting lineup will be on opening night, Hammond figures to be part of a dynamic backcourt that is likely to include fellow sophomore Ray Salnave and junior point guard Nick Rutherford, who started two seasons at Florida Atlantic.

"Deion has taken gigantic steps in every part of his game," Rice said. "As coach (J.R.) Reid pointed out, he shot so many 3s, he wanted him to start getting to the rim. So now Deion has shown us he can do that. I’m probably telling him to shoot too many 3s and he has more of a game than that. I think J.R. has added some stuff in practice just watching our team for the past few years, and being able to point that out to Deion really expanded his game."

There were plenty of moments last season that provided glimpses of what’s possible for Hammond over the next three seasons. Like the afternoon at Madison Square Garden when he led Monmouth’s scoring with 19 points against Kentucky, and came back later that week with a team-high 17 points at Princeton. Or the career-best 24 points he poured in against Marist, or the 19-point effort at Manhattan.

Which is why there will be so much attention, both from fans and opposing players, on No. 3 this season. 

"I do think I’m a better player now, but I think everyone on this team has gotten better because of the major work everyone put in this summer to get better," Hammond said.

"You can see it now on the court in practice and in the scrimmages. And I think everyone is going to see it when we start playing games."

Stephen Edelson: sedelson@gannettnj.com