They’ve been college students for six months now and their first season of college hoops is in its final month, but Khaleef Allicott, Greg Tull and Gerald Eugene are still getting used to the difficult transition from high school to college – both o
By Dylan Butler
Each player went from standouts on their respective high school teams to the new kids on the block, having to learn new plays, a new system and dealing with the rigors of Division II college ball.
The Knights' exhibition game against Division I Long Island University was a shock to Tull's system.
“It was tough to catch a first one, those are big guys,” said Tull, a 6-foot-6 forward from Amityville, L.I. “But after that game, the game just sort of slowed down.”
The three freshmen are in many of the same classes and Eugene and Allicott live together, along with seniors Hassan Washington and Marvin Lawrence, in an off-campus house.
It's allowed them to use each other as a crutch throughout the long and trying season.
“We keep each other up in class, help each other out,” said Allicott. “The transition is hard, but if you have a friend, a fellow freshman next to you helping you out, it makes it much easier.”
Although he said he doesn't believe in hitting the rookie wall, Eugene said this season has been the longest he's ever endured.
“That's just a myth to me, it's all about pride,” said Eugene, a 6-foot-7 forward from Wyandanch, L.I. “If it's not your day putting the ball in the basket, then you have to grab out every board, or call out every screen or slide your feet or bump every guy who comes into the lane. You just have to suck it up and be a man now, that's how I see it.
