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Published Jul 17, 2003
Texan Leaves Big 12 for Gonzaga
Jed Tai
Special to RivalsHoops.com
Nathan Doudney, the 6-foot-4, 204-pound sharpshooter formerly at Texas Tech,
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has found a new home. He has decided to continue his collegiate career in the
Pacific Northwest at Gonzaga. Doudney will walk-on to the Zags program in
2003-04 while sitting out the requisite redshirt year due to NCAA regulations.
"They had recruited him in high school," said Jerry Stone, Doudney's high
school coach at Rockwall High School in Rockwall, Texas. "I think he's always
been intrigued by Gonzaga."
Doudney also considered SMU, which is just down the road from his hometown.
But when it came down to making a decision, Doudney went with a program that he
felt most comfortable with, even if it was thousands of miles away.
"They way they play, setting screens and things like that," said Stone. "It
will fit the way Nathan plays really well."
Doudney spent two years at Texas Tech, after initially signing with Tulsa out
of high school. As a freshman walk-on in 2001-02, Doudney averaged 4.9 points
in 15.3 minutes a game, leading the team in three-point field goals made (42)
and attempted (109). After earning a scholarship as a sophomore in 2002-03,
his numbers were similar: 4.1 points in 14.1 minutes a contest, while ranking
second on the team in three-point field goals made (34) and attempted (92) and
percentage (.370).
Although he certainly had success and some big games on the floor for the Red
Raiders - especially for someone who started off as a walk-on - Doudney
apparently was not happy with his role and asked for a release from his
scholarship in April.
"I know he was getting a little discouraged," said Stone. "So it didn't
surprise me too much when he decided to leave."
Doudney is already on the Gonzaga campus and has been seen scrimmaging with his
future Zag teammates. While he will start his time on the Spokane campus as a
walk-on, his future scholarship status has yet to be determined. He has two
years of eligibility left at Gonzaga and will be eligible to play in the
2004-05 season.
Jed Tai is a senior writer with Hoopville.com