Parker – The ball stops bouncing eventually and you need something to rely on.
So says Nate Rohnert. It’s perhaps the top reason the Chaparral senior announced his oral commitment to play basketball at Yale University.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder, who can handle both guard spots with equal aplomb, had drawn interest from other programs – notably Samford, Southeast Louisiana, Cornell and Lehigh – but the chance for an Ivy League education and potential to compete for significant minutes made his decision an easy one.
Plus, announcing his intent before the 2005-06 season should ensure less hassle from recruiters and pesky online services that track such things.
Yale also incorporates a run-and-gun approach in its game.
“I can have a chance to start right away,” Rohnert said. “I’m really excited to get it out of the way and kind of get the monkey off my back. It’s a great option for me.”
Said Chaparral coach Jason Jacob: “He’s going to a place where someone really wants him. He can probably step in as a freshman and contribute. And the education alone. …
“The style that Nate plays fits with the style (the Bulldogs) play.”
Rohnert averaged 17 points last season as Chaparral made it to a regional final. Academically, he has a 3.75 grade-point average and will enter Yale with an undeclared major.
Last season, Yale tied Harvard for third place in the Ivy League, behind perennial contender Penn and Cornell.
Neil H. Devlin can be reached 303-820-1714 or at ndevlin@denverpost.com.
