Sept. 17, 2008
Watch Danny Granger’s Press Conference
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
If you know that much about ex-Lobo Danny Granger, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he is willing to dig deep into his pockets, pluck out $500,000, and hand it over to the University of New Mexico in the school’s quest to renovate University Arena.
Because Danny Granger loves The Pit.
He loves Lobos basketball, too.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do ever since I got drafted,” said the former UNM star, about to begin his fourth season in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers. “New Mexico is a second home to me and the University of New Mexico gave me a lot of opportunities and I attribute so much to them for all the things I’ve been able to make of myself.
“The Pit holds a special place in my heart for all the love The Pit showed, not just to me, but to the whole team. I want to give something back to the school because I’m a Lobo fanatic and this is a great way for me to do that.”
Granger’s donation of $500,000 will come in five annual donations of $100,000. It is part of the $17 million UNM needs to raise from the private sector to reach the $60 million price tag on The Pit’s face-lift.
Larry Ryan, a UNM associate athletics director in charge of development, said Granger’s donation will be one of the largest donations to ever come to UNM athletics from an individual.
Ryan said once final approval is granted by the UNM Board of Regents and the naming committee, Granger’s name will become part of the renovated locker rooms in The Pit.
“I met with (UNM President David J. Schmidly) and he was telling me about some of the things he is planning to do at UNM,” said Granger. “He is really planning some great things and I wanted to be a part of this one (Pit renovation).”
Granger played for the Lobos from 2004-05. He was All-Mountain West Conference in 2004 and 2005 and All-American (Basketball Times) in 2005 after leading UNM to the 2005 MWC tourney title. The Lobos stunned No. 15-ranked Utah 60-56 in the MWC championship game. Granger averaged 19.5 points as a Lobo in 2003-04 and 18.8 points in 2004-05.
Granger was noted for his all-around play on the court and for his humility and sportsmanship off the court.
One of the best insights into Granger, as a person and as a teammate, came during a practice session in which former Lobos coach Ritchie McKay was making point guard Javin Tindall run a few extra sprints to the far baseline and back.
McKay sent Tindall on the sprint by himself while the rest of the Lobos watched. When Tindall finished his solo run, McKay said, “Again.” When Tindall returned to his waiting teammates, McKay said, “Again.” This time Tindall did not sprint alone. Granger had joined him and ran along side his teammate. McKay did not say, “Again,” when Granger and Tindall finished their sprint.
That was very much the type of player and teammate Granger was at UNM. Those qualities are also why Granger is putting some of his NBA money into renovating his former home court.
“The Pit needs to remain a special place,” said Granger. “I was so amazed when I got to UNM. I had never played in a place like that before where the crowd can make such a huge difference.”
Granger’s success at the NBA level is no surprise to the thousands of Lobo fans who watched him star for UNM for two seasons.
Granger is all-around. The 6-foot-8 forward/wing can rebound, pass, defend, score inside, score outside and can put the ball on the floor.
He averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds his rookie NBA season in 2005-06. He scored 13.9 points and pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game in 2006-07. This past season his numbers jumped to 19.6 and 6.1. He shot .855 percent from the free throw line.
“My role has changed and increased every season,” said Granger. “I’m expecting an even bigger role next season (2008-09).
“I’m happy with the way things have been going. I didn’t play that much my first year, but I did get some pretty good minutes. My second year, they brought me off the bench more and I became a starter and kind of got the baptism by fire. That was a big adjustment.
“Before last season (2007-08), I really worked to sculpture my off-season workouts to fit the role as a starter getting a lot of minutes. I was more prepared last year and I did pretty well. This is going to be only my fourth season. I know there is a lot more to learn, but I have a pretty good grasp of where I am with the team and where I’m at as a player.
“I’m really looking forward to this coming year. I expect us to do some great things.”
And thanks, in part, to Danny Granger, the Lobos are closer to doing some great things to his old stomping grounds = The Pit.
Editor’s note: Richard Stevens is a former Associate Sports Editor and sports columnist for The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net. Previous articles are available at The Richard Stevens Corner.