The basketball goes through the hoop the same way in the mean streets of the Harlem neighborhood of New York as in rural McCook, Neb. Landing an ankle-breaking crossover is just as satisfying in Natchitoches, La., as it is in Denver.
Metro State senior point guard Tony Dobbinson has tested them all. It’s his journey, looking for the next challenge and chasing his dreams — always with a basketball in hand. Try taking it away from him.
Ten years ago, Dobbinson was just trying to find a way off 144th Street in Harlem. Shootings and robberies filled the news. His mother kept him and his younger brother sheltered, doing her best to shield them from the dangers of the world. It was just school and basketball. No such thing as playing outside.
“It was just normal,” Dobbinson said. “You see people getting jumped, beaten, into gangs, getting robbed for no reason. You’re walking down the street, people see something they like and just take it.”
That sort of lifestyle hardens a man, providing Metro State coach Derrick Clark a challenge when Dobbinson arrived. He was received with open arms, but his barrier was already firmly formed. It was apparent in his play and day-to-day life early on. Clark had to reach him with a simple message.
“You’re not the first or last to have a challenged background, so you can’t bring that here and let it be a crutch,” Clark said.
Clark got an illuminating view of Dobbinson off the court. The basketball team was making its annual visit to Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“Some of those rooms that we visit can be uncomfortable,” Clark said. “I saw Tony jump right in on that stuff. He’s cracking jokes with the kids. To me, he let his guard down and showed his personality.”
Out of high school, a friend convinced Dobbinson to travel to McCook Community College to play basketball there instead of with a Division III school.
The 5-foot-11 Dobbinson made the leap and became a star. In his sophomore year, he averaged nearly 23 points per game. It translated into a scholarship at Northwestern State, a Division I school in Louisiana.
Metro State recruited him hard, but Dobbinson had Division I on his mind. But he struggled, and called Clark.
Before Dobbinson could even start, Clark interrupted.
“I said, ‘Man, I wanted you before and I want you now,’ ” Clark said. ” ‘You’re still the player that I think you are.’ “
Now, Dobbinson leads the Roadrunners (18-10) in scoring, averaging 16.2 points. He leads them into the RMAC Tournament, starting 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against CU-Colorado Springs.
Dobbinson would like to be a shining example for all those back in Harlem. There’s a path out. It’s just unpaved, and you have to have the confidence to follow it.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
Tony Dobbinson file
• 5-foot-11, 178-pound senior point guard
• Born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. Raised by a single mother.
• Moved to Stamford, Conn., before his sophomore season.
• Played at McCook (Neb.) Community College for two seasons.
• Transferred to Division I Northwestern State in Louisiana for one season.
• Transferred to Metropolitan State for his final season, where he leads the Roadrunners at 16.2 points per game.
• His favorite memory at Metro State is tying the school record for points in a game (40), on Jan. 29 against New Mexico Highlands.
• He is a sports journalism major who expects to graduate this spring.
• Plans to play overseas after graduation but has a backup plan to work immediately in construction while pursuing his goal of becoming a sports broadcaster.
• Metro State plays CU-Colorado Springs at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of the RMAC Tournament. The teams have split the season series 1-1.
