Third Time Not The Charm For Former Patriot League Player of the Year

Derrick "Blaze" Mercer '09

No Eagle will deny that Derrick Mercer was a fantastic player. A real dynamo of a guard, despite standing only 5'7" tall he could drive to the basket through a veritable forest of defenders like no other. Derrick was a key component of our two runs to the NCAA Tournament, and certainly this season with the lack of a strong point guard the 2009 Patriot League Player of the Year was sorely missed.

It's been previously reported on this blog that Mercer played a brief stint in Finland, leading some unpronounceable team to their first win in a year only to be let go for being "too short." Then he hit an even luckier stroke and was drafted by the Eerie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League before being cut days before the season began in the final slimming of the Bayhawks' roster. Finally Mercer found a team willing to use his raw talent, the Maryland Greenhawks of the Premier Basketball League. Yet after playing 8 games not too far from where he dominated the Patriot League, averaging 6.6 points per game and 4.4 assists, Mercer was cut yet again. The Greenhawks have retained former teammate Travis Lay, however.

This is certainly disappointing, as I was really looking forward to an opportunity to catch a Greenhawks game and see Mercer play again. Poor guy just can't catch a break. Fingers crossed that he finds a team that will really utilize him, but I'm starting to think that another career may be in Mercer's future.

Your thoughts? Was this fair? Is Mercer cursed?

If you're reading this, Derrick, THIS basketball team (and its fanbase) misses you like crazy. Wish you were still wearing the Red, White, and Blue.

Pro Deo Et Patria,
Josh

Kataja says sayonara, wait, that's not right, uh, what's "Goodbye" in Finnish again?

According to Derrick Mercer's Facebook page, his time with the Joensunn Kataja has ended.

Via Facebook: "I guess in Finland you finally help the team get their first win, then you get released. Back to the states on Tuesday."

Sorry to hear that it didn't pan out, for sure. We'll keep our fingers crossed here at AU Hoops that he finds another place to showcase his skills.

Pro deo et patria and GO EAGLES!

Suomi, täytä Derrick Mercer (that's "Finland, meet Derrick Mercer" for those of you not acquainted with Finnish, and really, who is?)

Here at the AU Hoops Blog, we like to keep you apprised not only of current AU basketball news but also, when possible to keep you informed about what happens to past Eagles (I say past, and not former, because you know the line: ONCE AN EAGLE, ALWAYS AN EAGLE).

Derrick Mercer, four year starter, point guard extraordinaire, who helped lead AU to two straight Patriot League titles and subsequent NCAA tournament appearances, is now playing with the Kataja Basketball Club in Joensunn, Finland. Kataja plays in Finland's Korisliiga, which is the top tier basketball league in Finland.

This is, according to EuroBasket.com the third American point guard that Kataja is trying out this season (the first two left of their own volition). Mercer, in his first game yesterday, played 29 minutes with no points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocked shots.

Nice to see Mercer continuing his basketball career! I'll try to keep you updated with any notable happenings with him.

Pro deo et patria and GO EAGLES!