Joe Gaiter: What does basketball mean to you?
Damian Archer: Basketball means everything to me honestly. If it wasn’t for basketball I don’t know where I would be. I know that sound so cliché but it’s the truth. Basketball has took me places I’d never thought I would be, especially Alabama!
Joe Gaiter: What is your basketball story?
Damian Archer: I started playing basketball when I was about 4 years old. I started off playing rec ball before getting on an AAU team. The first team I ever played for was the Baltimore Stars, and then about two years later our coach moved out of state. I played for Sam Cassell All-Stars, Mount Royal, Maryland Tiger and ending my AAU career with LR Ballers. Out of high school I received interest from UNC Wilmington and Marshall because didn’t qualify academically they couldn’t go any further. I had JUCO offers two Jayhawks conference schools which is one of the top JUCO conferences around. I decided to go to Labette Community College but the coach got fired so I transferred to Fort Scott. I left there due to a season ending injury. Rowan College at Burlington County was my last option on the table which is located in New Jersey. So it was either there or nowhere so I took it and made a name for myself.
Joe Gaiter: Tell me about your time at Rowan College at Burlington County.
Damian Archer: My time at RCBC was special. As I said before, it was kind of my last option and last situation to where I could showcase my talent and get to a 4 year institution. I made history with my bros from RCBC. We finished 19-10, one of the best records in school history. We also finished second in the conference. RCBC beat the number 14th team in the nation by a large margin. I got first team all-conference and all region! RCBC was good to me!
Joe Gaiter: From Baltimore, MD to Fairfield, AL. Why Miles College?
(Laughs) Sometimes I still ask myself everyday why did I come all the way to Alabama , but Miles College is special in its own little way. Miles college offered me a full scholarship and I took it. I wanted to get as far as I possibly could from Baltimore! So far miles college is a solid place to be once you get to know people!
Joe Gaiter: How would you describe the way you play on the court?
Damian Archer: (laughs) This is a tough one. I mean I attack the basket and shoot the midrange like Dion Waiters! I will lock up on defense! I play hard every possession! I’m intense and like to get after my opponent, and I like to get in my opponents head!
Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts about your upcoming season?
Damian Archer: This upcoming season should be special. It doesn’t feel like last year. I feel like this year everybody is on the same page including the coaching staff and everybody wants to get better day in and day out.
Joe Gaiter: Has there been any player or coach that has really inspired you to work harder on the court?
Damian Archer: Coach Mike, my AAU coach inspired me to work harder on the court. He really showed me how the game was supposed to be played. He is the reason why I am playing college basketball. He believed in me when other coaches didn’t.
Joe Gaiter: What would you say was your most memorable game you ever played?
Damian Archer: The most memorable game I played in was the game we beat the number 14th team in the nation. I had nearly a triple double 17 points 7 steals and 8 assist.
Joe Gaiter: What has been the greatest lesson you learned in life?
Damian Archer: The greatest lesson I learned in life is when you can’t find your way no body want to point you in the right direction … but soon as you find it on your own everybody wants to use your map….
Joe Gaiter: Have you thought about life after college? What is your plan?
Damian Archer: Yes, I think about my life after college all the time, my plan is to play professional basketball for a few years and then start my own business. I want to be financially stable!
Joe Gaiter: How important is family to you?
Damian Archer: Family means everything to me. Your family we will be there when nobody else is.
Joe Gaiter: Tell me about losing your best friend and how did you coped with it?
Damian Archer: Well my best friend is my grandmother of course. She really means everything to me and was always there when I needed her through anything. Losing her has a big effect on me and I haven’t been the same since. I’m trying to get back right again!
Joe Gaiter: Is there anything about your life you would change and why?
Damian Archer: I would change a lot of things I went through in my past because if I would’ve listened or did those things differently I would be in a different place right now but I believe everything is God’s plan!
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Damian Archer: I want my legacy to be very inspirational to my siblings and other young people in the world or whoever looks up to me. I came a long way and I am living proof that if you work hard and keep grinding good things will happen!
