Comegys Is Ready to Make Good on Promise

CHICAGO — Dallas Comegys carried a “can’t-miss” tag when he came out of the Philadelphia area. His leaping ability, his grace on the basketball court and a smooth jump shot made him a strong bet for the NBA.

Entering his senior season with DePaul, the 6-foot-9 forward has generated more questions than answers. He hasn’t attained the stardom that seemed likely when he starred at Philadelphia Roman Catholic High School.

“There’s little doubt that how we do this year depends on what Dallas Comegys does,” DePaul Coach Joey Meyer says. “I think Dallas understands all of this. The talking is over. He’s got to do it.”

More than 250 schools recruited Comegys. He could have stayed in the Philadelphia area, attending one of the Big Five schools there. Instead he chose DePaul, in part because of the Blue Demons’ success with the likes of current NBA stars Terry Cummings and Mark Aguirre. He also drew the attention of former DePaul Coach Ray Meyer, who broke a long-standing rule by leaving the area to personally recruit Comegys.

“He is a gifted athlete, probably one of the most gifted athletes I ever saw,” says Ray Meyer. “He did have a terrific buildup but he deserved it. It’s just at times he hasn’t taken that ability and done it on the court.”

In his freshman year, Comegys averaged 11 points per game and blocked 79 shots. Some publications listed him as an All-America candidate for his sophomore year. He appeared on the cover of a major basketball magazine. The thought arose he might foresake his final two years at DePaul and enter the NBA draft early, just as Cummings and Aguirre had done before him.

His sophomore year was a troubled one. His average remained at 11 points per game and his shot blocks fell to 51. He was benched for a part of the season, losing his starting job. He appeared moody, often sullen.

Last year, DePaul endured several losing streaks before receiving an unexpected NCAA bid. Comegys played well in tournament victories over Oklahoma and Virginia, suggesting his emergence was near.

“I’m ready to have some fun this year,” Comegys says. “I’m ready to play. This team is ready to play.”

Comegys usually looks ready for the big games, the ones on national television. Against the mediocre opponents, he falls into a daze.

“I’ve talked to him about his being up for all of the games. But that has to come on the practice floor,” Joey Meyer says. “I believe that this year, with us expecting so much from him as a leadership role, that he is ready to come through.”