The avatar for my Twitter now goes out to one of the best Sun Devils on the planet, Jeff Pendergraph.
We all know the Beard is rocking the NBA world right now, but Jeff is making a living as well in the NBA playoffs. Despite getting hurt a year ago and having to sit out a whole year, he is back carving out his niche with the Indiana Pacers.
At the end of the year, he got a start and produced. And he has been one of the best team guys in the NBA this year.
Included in a story is this quote from his head coach.
He's got one of the best attitudes I've ever
coached, ever been around in the NBA."
None of this is shocking. In his four years here in addition to setting Sun Devil records for games played (126) and started (120) he notched 1,588 career points. His senior year he led the nation in field goal percentage but also led the team in charges taken in junior and senior seasons with 31. Not once during that 15-game losing streak back in his sophomore year did he complain or pout about doing postgame interviews, and he looked at it as a way to tell the story of the program and educate fans on the building process. He earned his B.A. in economics. He basically was one of the most efficient Sun Devil athletes in the past two decades both on the playing field/court and off.
So a shout out to Jeff as he continues to prove his worth in the NBA. One thing is for sure...attitude won't be a problem. When speaking of role models coming from Arizona State, it is easy to point to people like Anthony Robles or Pat Tillman or Hillary Bach.
Toss Jeff in that list. He deserves it.
