By Alfonso Rivera
Deon Geary has a bright future after an outstanding basketball career at East Los Angeles College
The 2011-2012 first team All-South Coast Conference North Division guard accepted a full basketball scholarship to California State University Dominguez Hills. As a top-100 community college recruit in California, Geary drew attention from Dominguez Hills, California State University Los Angeles and Cal Baptist University.
In the end Dominguez Hills made the strongest push of the three. “They made me feel wanted. Assistant Coach, Mario Perez, used to play there, so his advice and guidance made my decision that much easier,” said Geary.
The 6’- foot-1-inch, 175-pound sophomore guard credits his coaching staff at East Los Angeles College for his success. “They taught me the meaning of hard work here at East Los Angeles College. They made me feel comfortable,” said Geary.
As a sophomore, Geary led the Husky basketball team in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game. As an accomplished shooter, Geary led the Huskies in three pointers made, making 46% of his attempts.
In addition, Geary was also the 10th leading California community college scorer. After completing a formidable career at Blair High School in Pasadena, Geary was named to the All-Conference and All-San Gabriel Valley team both his junior and senior years.
Geary faced a lot of great talent in his high school basketball career. For example, in the 2008 C.I.F. playoffs, he played against Darius Morris, who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morris played at Winward High School and the University of Michigan then was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft by the Lakers.
After high school, Geary decided to play NCAA Division II basketball at Miles College in Alabama. Being away from home and in a new environment, Geary felt homesick and culture-shocked. He decided to come back home to California.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, coach Rob Rivera from ELAC welcomed him with open arms. “I feel like coming to ELAC was the best decision I could have made for myself. The coaching staff is great. They told me to work hard and listen and good things will happen,” said Geary.
Geary thanks his aunt and uncle for keeping him off the streets of Pasadena. Geary led the Huskies basketball team on the hardwood.
“I am really proud of him, he came a long way. Not only did he grow as a person, but he reached his potential on the court,” Rivera said.
Geary’s favorite basketball player is NBA all-star and three-time scoring champion, Kevin Durant. “I’m much like him. I like to attack the rim. I have a scorers mentality,” said Geary.
A criminal justice major, Geary hopes to become a California Highway patrolman after his basketball career is over.
“One thing I learned and currently live by is, the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary,” Geary said.
