By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SINCE joining the Queen’s University of Charlotte men’s basketball programme last year, guard Deyton Albury has shone brightly for the Royals.

During his first season with the team, he was awarded the Newcomer of the Week honours twice which culminated with his latest distinction as Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Newcomer of the Year.

Albury’s stellar play with the Royals also got him the nod as Third Team All-ASUN. The former Believe Prep MVP was one of four Royals basketball players to receive ASUN postseason honours.

The 6-foot-2 guard felt blessed to be named Newcomer of the Year after being selected as the two-time Newcomer of the Week during his first rodeo with the Royals.

“It feels good. I honestly didn’t know about the award until I was named Newcomer of the Week. It gave me some motivation to continue playing well which led to me being third team naturally.

“I would also say it is a blessing because it gives Bahamian athletes more exposure. They mention The Bahamas a lot when they talk about me so it just gives the little kids at home some opportunities to be looked at, and at least a chance, so it feels good,” Albury said.

The ASUN Newcomer of the Year is currently averaging 17.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 48.8 per cent from the field and 74.7 per cent from the charity stripe.

The junior is ranked top 10 in scoring, assists, field goal percentage and steals. He is sixth in scoring, eighth in assists, ninth in field goal percentage and 10th in steals.

Albury described his on-court mindset while with the Royals this season.

“The experience was good. Coming from a JUCO, I was prepared for this moment to play division one basketball. I was kind of nervous at first but having so much support from people back home and my family and friends just boosting my confidence and giving me the utmost respect just gave me the confidence to believe that I am the best player every time I step on the court,” he said.

The Royals’ guard is currently trying to will his team to the programme’s first ASUN Championship.

On Monday, the no. 8 Royals knocked off the no. 7 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 69-63 to make it to their second straight ASUN quarterfinals appearance. Albury was the team’s third best scorer with nine points complemented by five rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes played at the Edmunds Center.

He struggled from the field, connecting on just 2-for-6 shot attempts but got four makes at the freethrow line.

He spoke about making minor adjustments as the postseason progresses.

“So far it’s good. It has been a lot of defensive adjustments in guarding me. Teams are kind of making it difficult double teaming me more often, denying me the ball so I just have to find ways to work around that to make my job easier. It is also exciting just to make it to the postseason and seeing how the game style changes because it makes you have to think more on ways to score and get your teammates involved. We plan to go all the way and this will be the first ASUN championship that Queens ever won so that is our goal,” he said.

After receiving lots of love for his play, he thanked his parents, friends and other supporters for remaining in his corner throughout his basketball journey.