Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Insider: Russell's merci to Majerle
6/13/2018 10:38:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
Former Lope credits rookie success to GCU base
When DeWayne Russell was offered a short-term contract as an injury replacement for a French club last year, Russell knew that quite a few people expected to see him back in Arizona once it ended.
He got it because even he believed that. But there was one person who foresaw how Russell, the former Grand Canyon star, would become an indispensable pro rookie for SLUC Nancy. Russell led a 19-17 team in points per game (13.6), assists per game (5.5) and steals per game (1.5) after his contract was extended through the end of the season.
"Coach (Dan) Majerle was one of the only people who told me, 'Nah, you're staying out there for good,' " said Russell, who is helping at the GCU head coach's basketball camps. "I was like, 'Coach, no, I'm just going there for three months.' And he was like, 'No, you're going to stay out there for good.' He's helped me with my confidence since I was young. Over time, my mindset morphed to think like him. That's going to be my guy forever."
Russell turned a late offer in September into a career jumpstart. He already has options for next season and is looking to pair up a spot in a higher league with a fit for the playmaker's style.
Russell's pro initiation helped him with the learning curve to the European style of play.
"Over here, we're more aggressive offensively," Russell said of American basketball. "Over there, they want the pocket pass, the skip pass and things like that. As the year kept going, I started to be able to mesh my game into theirs."
Once Russell earned a Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B Player of the Week honor, his confidence boosted. He learned from his coach, who knew enough English to help Russell acclimate and improve. Before his initial three-month contract expired, Russell was a fan favorite.
Off the court, Russell's wife helped him adapt by cooking for him when French cuisine was seldom to their liking.
"There was a lot to do and people were really nice," Russell said. "I love France. The south of France was really warm, but the area (northeast France) where I lived was like a Flagstaff for us. It was good to see the whole country."
Russell is back on the GCU campus, giving back to the program where he became a national top-20 scorer and staying sharp in the gym for his next step overseas. His rookie run was rooted in his GCU career.
"Coach Majerle and the coaching staff treat the guys as if they're pros already with the way they make them work and put them on a schedule to make sure they are on time," Russell said. "When I got there, I did things right naturally because I was already here, like being 10 minutes early instead of being on time or always competing in practice. From that standpoint, I was ready when I got there."
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
He got it because even he believed that. But there was one person who foresaw how Russell, the former Grand Canyon star, would become an indispensable pro rookie for SLUC Nancy. Russell led a 19-17 team in points per game (13.6), assists per game (5.5) and steals per game (1.5) after his contract was extended through the end of the season.
"Coach (Dan) Majerle was one of the only people who told me, 'Nah, you're staying out there for good,' " said Russell, who is helping at the GCU head coach's basketball camps. "I was like, 'Coach, no, I'm just going there for three months.' And he was like, 'No, you're going to stay out there for good.' He's helped me with my confidence since I was young. Over time, my mindset morphed to think like him. That's going to be my guy forever."
Russell turned a late offer in September into a career jumpstart. He already has options for next season and is looking to pair up a spot in a higher league with a fit for the playmaker's style.
Russell's pro initiation helped him with the learning curve to the European style of play.
"Over here, we're more aggressive offensively," Russell said of American basketball. "Over there, they want the pocket pass, the skip pass and things like that. As the year kept going, I started to be able to mesh my game into theirs."
Once Russell earned a Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B Player of the Week honor, his confidence boosted. He learned from his coach, who knew enough English to help Russell acclimate and improve. Before his initial three-month contract expired, Russell was a fan favorite.
Off the court, Russell's wife helped him adapt by cooking for him when French cuisine was seldom to their liking.
"There was a lot to do and people were really nice," Russell said. "I love France. The south of France was really warm, but the area (northeast France) where I lived was like a Flagstaff for us. It was good to see the whole country."
Russell is back on the GCU campus, giving back to the program where he became a national top-20 scorer and staying sharp in the gym for his next step overseas. His rookie run was rooted in his GCU career.
"Coach Majerle and the coaching staff treat the guys as if they're pros already with the way they make them work and put them on a schedule to make sure they are on time," Russell said. "When I got there, I did things right naturally because I was already here, like being 10 minutes early instead of being on time or always competing in practice. From that standpoint, I was ready when I got there."
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
Players Mentioned
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