Oregon Daily
Emerald Sports
Brandon hopes to put on show against Blazers
By Steve Mims
Emerald Sports Reporter
If Terrell Brandon over wor
ried that his fans would resent
him for loaving Oregon after his
junior season, ho doesn't any
more.
A crowd of ahout 200 people,
most of them autograph-seeking
youngsters, showed up at an
appearance by Brandon at The
NIKE Store on Thursday to
welcome the former Duck back
to Eugene. Brandon Is back In
town with his Cleveland Cava
llor teammates to fare the Port
land Trail Blazers In an exhibi
tion game tonight at McArthur
Court.
"1 have been looking forward
to coming back," Brandon said.
"The Eugene fans have always
supported me, and I appreciate
what Eugene gave me "
Brandon was named Pacific
10 Conference Player of the
Year after his Junior season
when he averaged 2t>fi points
and flvo assists per game. Loss
than ono month after the season
ended. Brandon announced he
would give up his final year of
eligibility to turn pro. a deci
sion he says he does not regret.
"It was a tough situation,"
the 5-11 point guard said "I
had to leave my friends, but It
was all about looking out for
myself; 1 think I gave my all to
Oregon I was u fair student and
I did not flunk out like some
people have speculated.”
Brandon was selected 11th in
the ltttll NBA Draft by Cleve
land. but Is not sure if that will
bo his home for long Brandon
signed a seven-year contract
lust year, but has the option to
become a free agent after his
third yirur
Despite being away from Eu
gene, Brandon says he still fol
lows the Duck basketball squad
and thinks the off-season
coaching change will help the
program
”1 think hiring Jerry Green
was good for the school." Bran
don said. "Everyone knew ihe
change was coming. I appreci
ate what coach Monson did for
me. he worked me hard and
really pushed mo."
Brandon said he plans to get
his college degree soon, and
ho* been taking classes during
the season
“l definitely want to gradu
ate.” Brandon said "Last year I
look some classes during the
season and I am close to my de
gree. 1 want to come hack to Or
egon one summer to finish
school ”
Brandon says he was a Trail
Blazer fan as a kid. hut expect*
the Cavaliers to give Portland a
strung test tonight.
"Portland is a talented and
athletic club." Brandon said.
"If we rebound and play aggres
sive, all the rt-sl will tukn care
of itself"
• 1»
Photo by Mchaoi Shmdbr
Cameron Fous ol Eugene (right) ahowa oft the Terratl Brandon auto
graphed poster he won during a praaa conference for the former
Duck who ia in loam with hia NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The
Cavaliera lace the Blaiera tonight at McArthur Court.
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