'The Watcher' Becomes Must-See Star
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
February 1, 2018
DETROIT – David DeJulius is not your typical teenager.
DeJulius doesn’t eat junk food, he doesn’t drink carbonated soda and he attends yoga classes regularly.
He’s also one of the best basketball players in the state.
A 6-foot guard at Detroit East English, DeJulius, who has signed with University of Michigan, was rated as one of the top players before this season – and it’s safe to say that few players, in any class, are having a better season at this point. He’s averaging 28 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, and his team is ranked in the top 10 in Class A by every news organization that releases weekly rankings.
The candidates for the coveted Mr. Basketball Award won’t be announced for about a month. But it’s difficult to imagine DeJulius’ name won’t be on that short list.
DeJulius, 18, might not be the best basketball player in what is a strong senior class, and he might not win Mr. Basketball. But it won’t be because he didn’t work hard enough or have the proper guidance from those close to him.
As for his nutrition intake, DeJulius credits his father, Dave, for the basics. The elder DeJulius also played basketball in the Detroit Public School League at two eastside high schools (Denby and Osborn).
“He told me to put the right food in my body,” DeJulius said. “I eat healthy. I haven’t drank pop in three years. It’s beyond basketball. I want to create a healthy lifestyle. I want to check every box.”
In addition to the workouts he receives from East English coach Juan Rickman, DeJulius works with three personal trainers to hone his body and improve his knowledge of the game. One of those trainers is former Detroit Pershing coach A.W. Canada. Another is one of Canada’s former assistants, James Cleage, and the third is Tony Harrison, who specializes in boxing and footwork beneficial in athletics.
During the season DeJulius watches game film with Canada, and the two go over nuances to improve DeJulius’ knowledge of the game. Cleage attends the majority of East English’s games, and the two talk afterward about what DeJulius did right and how his play could be improved.
“During the season it’s more to do with strategy,” DeJulius said of the time spent with personal trainers. “During the offseason it’s more physical.
“I do cross training with my boxing workouts. It helps me a lot. Conditioning-wise, you have to give it your all. With Tony, it’s more core work. I only spend about 15 minutes in the ring.”
On Sundays during the season, when many basketball players take the day off, DeJulius attends a yoga class. During the offseason he practices yoga three to four times a week.
“It stretches me out,” he said. “It keeps me limber. And it’s good for my hips.”
DeJulius spent the first two years of high school at Detroit Edison Public School Academy, a charter school located in the city’s Eastern Market area. He was a highly-publicized player when he enrolled at Edison, and his team reached a Class C Regional Final his freshman season and lost in a District Semifinal to Pershing when he was a sophomore. DeJulius was labeled a scorer who had yet to reach his potential when he transferred to East English.
“I knew of him vaguely before he got here,” Rickman said. “I remember him having a high skill set and a good work ethic, or so I heard. But when he came here I wanted him to put it all together. I wanted him to learn how to play a complete game. I wanted him to pass more. I don’t think he understood or knew how to get his teammates involved. He didn’t understand where the defense was at.
“He’s improved on his defense, and that becoming a better defender has improved his offense as well, because he’s now able to predict the positioning of the defenders which allows him to be more efficient and also allows him to make more plays for his teammates.”
Physically, DeJulius was developing. And with the help of Canada, Rickman and others, DeJulius was also gaining a better understanding of the game and what it took for him to become more of a complete player.
“The biggest change for me was here, at East English, its family oriented,” he said. “I’m getting tremendous support on and off the court.”
DeJulius also rid himself of an unflattering nickname given to him when he first came to East English.
“They called me ‘the watcher’ when I first got here,” he said. “As far as rebounding and playing off-the-ball defense, I used to watch a lot. (Rickman) told me I’m too strong, too fast not to rebound.
“Now, as a senior, I’m much better. I’m a senior. I have to get it done now. Physically, I’ve improved my jump shot and I rebound better. My passing has improved. I see the floor much better now, and I’m able to create for my teammates.”
Two current players have had a significant impact on DeJulius and his maturation process. One is his former East English teammate Greg Elliott, who plays for coach Steve Wojciechowski at Marquette University. The other is former U-M point guard Derrick Walton, Jr., who played at Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, located just a few miles from East English.
As a junior at East English, Elliott helped the Bulldogs capture the school’s first PSL title.
“I learned a lot from Greg,” DeJulius said. “It’s the intangibles. At Marquette, he’s not their first option (offensively) but he’s their best defender. Derrick and I talked about a week ago. I can be that type of player at Michigan. He passes the ball better than I do. I shoot it better. I think I can affect Michigan much the same way he did.”
Should DeJulius win Mr. Basketball, he would be the first player from the PSL to win the award since Pershing’s Keith Appling in 2010.
Riding an 11-game winning streak, East English is 12-2 overall and, at 7-1, has clinched first place in the PSL East Division 1. The Bulldogs will have one of the top two seeds when the PSL playoffs begin next week.
“I believe my chances are very good,” DeJulius said of the possibility of winning the award. “First of all, we’re winning. There’s the stat line I’m putting up against some of the best competition.
“It would mean a lot to me. It would mean a lot to me and the school.”
Tom Markowski is a columnist and directs website coverage for the State Champs! Sports Network. He previously covered primarily high school sports for the The Detroit News from 1984-2014, focusing on the Detroit area and contributing to statewide coverage of football and basketball. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTO: Detroit East English’s David DeJulius pushes the ball upcourt this season. (Photo by David Donoher.)
Breslin Bound: 2022-23 Boys District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 6, 2023
There’s an awesomeness that comes with nearly 100 years of tradition, and one of the MHSAA's originals begins another chapter tonight with the first games of the 2022-23 MHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament.
Up first are Districts, often with teams seeing neighbors a second or third time – but this time, it’s win or go home. Then come Regionals, where the opponents are more unfamiliar, but all on equal footing and with some added spring to their steps after hoisting trophies the weekend before. The final week of the tournament is the final week of the winter sports season as well, and everything seems to accelerate as those last 16 teams whittle down to four champions Saturday at the Breslin Center.
Everything you could want to know this week about tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Boys Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 66, Detroit Cass Tech 65 (OT) The annual Operation Friendship meeting of Detroit league champions was unforgettable as Rice (21-1) handed Cass Tech (21-1) its lone loss on a final-seconds 3-pointer.
2. North Farmington 73, Ferndale 54 The Division 1 highly-regarded Raiders (19-1) completed an outright Oakland Activities Association Red title run by finishing a sweep of Division 2 contender Ferndale (14-8)
3. River Rouge 57, Ann Arbor Huron 54 The Panthers (16-5) capped an impressive six-win surge to finish the regular season with a close one over the River Rats (19-2).
4. Muskegon 67, Kalamazoo Central 60 The Big Reds (20-2) entered the postseason with a big win as the Maroon Giants (18-3) also have bigtime playoff potential.
5. Napoleon 63, Jonesville 61 The annual Big 8/Cascades conference crossover of champions went the Pirates’ way as Napoleon (21-1) bounced back from its lone loss two days earlier to edge the Comets (17-5).
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Bloomfield Hills
No. 1 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (21-1), No. 2 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (9-10), West Bloomfield (15-6), Birmingham Groves (16-6), Bloomfield Hills (15-7), Birmingham Seaholm (12-10).
Topped by an overall Division 1 favorite in Brother Rice, this might be the strongest District in the state regardless of division. The Warriors have seen many of the rest of the best in Michigan and defeated them all including Grand Blanc, River Rouge, East Kentwood, Kalamazoo Central, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (twice) and Cass Tech (see above) just a few days ago. The lone loss came to reigning Division 1 champion Warren De La Salle Collegiate, and Brother Rice avenged that three weeks later. St. Mary’s hasn’t played an opponent with a losing record this season, and its most recent loss to Rice on Feb. 7 was by just five points – while the Eaglets have their share of strong wins as well. West Bloomfield and Groves shared the OAA White championship, and Seaholm won the OAA Blue.
Coopersville
No. 1 Muskegon (20-2), No. 2 Grand Haven (17-5), Grand Rapids Union (14-7), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (13-9), Coopersville (14-8), Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (8-14), Muskegon Mona Shores (5-17).
The Big Reds are a top contender in Division 1 this month and have seen some of the rest including Kalamazoo Central (see above), North Farmington and Grand Blanc – the latter two delivering Muskegon’s losses. But they’ll still have to be careful this first week with some familiar opponents pursuing an upset. Union finished second to Muskegon in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green, while Reeths-Puffer tied for third in that league – although Muskegon won its four combined games against them all by at least 25 points. But on the other side of the bracket, Coopersville tied for second in O-K Blue, and Grand Haven tied for third in a highly-competitive O-K Red and defeated Muskegon in a 2021 District matchup, the last time they met.
Holt
No. 1 Okemos (18-4), No. 2 Mason (20-2), Jackson (17-5), Holt (13-9), Jackson Northwest (13-9), Lansing Everett (2-20).
Mason and Jackson are coming off league championships, the Bulldogs outright in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red and the Vikings sharing the Southeastern Conference White. But the top seed is Okemos, which finished second in the CAAC Blue – which saw six of its seven teams finish 12-9 or better during the regular season – and two of the Wolves’ losses came in league play in overtime. Okemos could see Jackson in a District Semifinal, and the Vikings have made a notable jump from 8-13 a season ago but also open tonight against Holt, which defeated them 67-60 on Dec. 20. Mason’s jump has been just as impressive – from 10-11 last season – but there’s another note of interest there too as possible Wednesday opponent Northwest defeated the Bulldogs in their season opener 64-55.
DIVISION 2
Big Rapids
1. Hart (22-0), 2. Cadillac (18-4), Big Rapids (19-2), Ludington (20-2), Reed City (13-9), Remus Chippewa Hills (10-11).
Hart has made history over and over again this season with a first league title in 60 years and one of the first 22-0 regular-season finishes in MHSAA history. But how strong is this District? Counting the two weeks since seeding into MPR, Hart would’ve ranked fourth with Cadillac, Big Rapids and Ludington all moving up a spot. Big Rapids won the Central State Activities Association and Ludington shared the West Michigan Conference Lakes title, and they lead things off tonight – with the winner set to meet Hart on Wednesday, and Hart having defeated Big Rapids 92-84 on Dec. 15. On the other side, Cadillac shared the Big North Conference title and suffered three of its losses by a combined four points.
New Boston Huron
1. Flat Rock (17-5), 2. Romulus Summit Academy North (20-2), Riverview (19-3), Grosse Ile (14-8), New Boston Huron (8-14).
Summit is seeking a third-straight District title with its only losses this season to teams that are a combined 39-3 – Detroit Loyola and Warren Michigan Collegiate. The Dragons start Wednesday against Grosse Ile, which finished third in the Huron League behind co-champions Flat Rock and Riverview. Those two also could face off Wednesday, although New Boston Huron will attempt to play spoiler tonight against the Pirates. Riverview and Flat Rock split their meetings this season, Flat Rock winning 58-52 on Jan. 2s4 and the Pirates avenging 44-41 on Feb. 17.
Wyoming Godwin Heights
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (16-6), 2. Wyoming Lee (19-1), Wyoming Godwin Heights (12-7), Hudsonville Unity Christian (13-9), Wyoming Kelloggsville (2-20), Allendale (2-20).
The Cougars, last season’s Division 2 runners-up, have won nine of their last 11 and shared the O-K Gold championship with another Division 2 contender in Grand Rapids South Christian. GRCC could run into a familiar opponent Wednesday in Unity Christian, which tied for second in the O-K Blue but has won seven of its last nine. Those two have met the last two postseasons (and were set to meet in 2020 before COVID-19 halted the playoffs), with the Cougars winning both matchups. On the other side, Lee has had one of the biggest turnarounds in the state this season after going 5-16 a year ago. The Legends won the Alliance League but could have one of their toughest matchups of the season Wednesday if host Godwin Heights gets by Kelloggsville in an opener.
DIVISION 3
Cass City
1. Cass City (19-2), 2. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (16-5), Bad Axe (16-4), Sandusky (14-7), Harbor Beach (7-11), Unionville-Sebewaing (0-21).
Cass City and its late-game heroics have been one of the most fun stories this season, and they head into this District as the top seed but having been eliminated by either Laker or Bad Axe the last three playoffs (not counting 2020). Those two also own the only wins over Cass City this season, with the Red Hawks and Lakers sharing the Greater Thumb Conference West title after splitting their regular-season meetings. They’re lined up on opposite sides of the bracket as the top seeds, but Bad Axe – which defeated Cass City 50-41 on Jan. 6 – will attempt to play spoiler against Cass City on Wednesday if it gets by Harbor Beach tonight. Sandusky could make a major impact as well; the GTC East runner-up has USA tonight but would see Laker on Wednesday after winning last Thursday’s meeting with EBPB 67-49.
Lake City
1. Traverse City St. Francis (18-4), 2. Maple City Glen Lake (18-4), Benzie Central (11-11), Manton (8-14), LeRoy Pine River (8-14), Lake City (3-18).
Although they missed each other last season, St. Francis and Glen Lake have met in District play most of the last decade (and were scheduled to play in 2020), with Glen Lake winning their 2021 postseason matchup and St. Francis winning the next most-recent meeting in 2019. St. Francis shared the Lake Michigan Conference title this season with Boyne City and also had the benefit of facing Division 1 Cass Tech and Grand Haven, no doubt gaining some valuable experience in defeats. Glen Lake won the Northwest Conference and has wins over Division 1 Wayne Memorial and also the third and fourth-place teams from the LMC as a bit of a measuring stick. The Lakers also swept Benzie, which tied for second in the Northwest and would see St. Francis on Wednesday with a win tonight.
Watervliet
1. Watervliet (19-3), 2. Niles Brandywine (20-2), Cassopolis (17-4), Bridgman (11-11), Coloma (2-20).
Watervliet won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title and Cassopolis won the Southwest 10 Conference South, and Brandywine finished second in the Lakeland Conference but to Division 2 contender Benton Harbor – which handed the Bobcats their only losses of the season, and the second only 58-56 on Feb. 17. Brandywine also has a 61-35 win over Cassopolis from Jan. 31 but is on the other side of the bracket facing Bridgman on Wednesday. The Rangers have won their last seven and open with Coloma tonight, with Watervliet awaiting the winner and having enjoyed big wins this season over Blanchard Montabella (20-2) and reigning Division 3 champion Schoolcraft (15-7) and also having lost by only three to Benton Harbor.
DIVISION 4
Mesick
1. McBain Northern Michigan Christian (16-6), 2. Mesick (17-5), Marion (15-7), Buckley (14-8), Fife Lake Forest Area (0-19).
NMC finished third in the Highland Conference to Division 3 McBain and Beal City and carries the top seed into this week having won six of its last seven games – but after also falling to Buckley 62-58 on Thursday. Host Mesick is on the other side of the bracket after finishing second in the West Michigan D League and with 10 wins over its last 11 games, but opens Wednesday with Buckley – which tied for second in the Northwest Conference to Glen Lake and has won 10 of its last 11 as well. Marion – 7-12 just a season ago – finished third in the WMDL and opens with Forest Area with hopes of getting past NMC after that and perhaps seeing Mesick a third time after they split their regular-season matchups.
Mio
1. Mio (18-1), 2. Hillman (18-4), Hale (10-11), Fairview (4-14), Atlanta (1-15), Au Gres-Sims (1-21).
Hillman and Mio met in last season’s District Final, won by the Tigers 53-36, and Hillman also claimed their meeting just a few weeks ago – 66-41 on Feb. 13. Both were on their way to North Star League titles, Mio in the Big Dipper and Hillman in the Little Dipper. That was the Thunderbolts’ only loss as they move into District week the top seed and coming off an overtime 44-36 win over Big Dipper runner-up Alcona. Hillman has actually lost two straight and three of its last five – but likely gained some valuable experience with those defeats to Division 1 Gaylord, Division 2 Ogemaw Heights and Division 3 Tawas. The Tigers on Wednesday will see either Hale or Fairview, both familiar after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Little Dipper.
Onaway
1. Onaway (19-3), 2. Indian River Inland Lakes (16-6), Posen (16-6), Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian (11-9), Rogers City (3-19), Wolverine (5-12).
Onaway and Inland Lakes were part of a three-team shared Ski Valley Conference championship (with Gaylord St. Mary), and they could meet again with Inland Lakes winning their most recent meeting 66-43 on Feb. 17. Onaway has claimed two straight District titles, however, but first Wednesday will see either Posen or Northern Michigan Christian. Posen was the runner-up in the North Star League Little Dipper and has won eight of its last nine – although Onaway did take their Dec. 21 matchup 49-48. Inland Lakes has doubled its success from just a season ago, when it finished 8-13, and has won eight of its last nine games.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech's Travon Cooper II sets up for a free throw during the Detroit Public School League Tournament championship game at Calihan Hall. (Middle) Grand Blanc's Donnie Huddleston (2) gets a hand up as Flint Beecher's Damarcus Burke Jr. (13) launches a jumper during the Bobcats' 57-43 win on Thursday. (Photos by Olivia B. Photography and Terry Lyons, respectively.)