| D.J. Newbill |
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A former Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection and PIAA Class AA Player of the Year out of Philadelphia, Newbill's return to competition is much anticipated after he sat out the 2011-12 season upon transferring from Southern Mississippi. Strong, athletic and confident, Newbill immediately made an impact with the Lions with his leadership, attitude and strong play in practice. A tenacious rebounder and defender and a strong scorer with a knack for getting to the foul line, He can also serve as a primary ball-handler if called upon and is expected to make a big contribution in the first of three years of eligibility remaining at Penn State. He is expected to team with Tim Frazier to form one of the top backcourts in the Big Ten.
"D.J. is what I describe as a `Philly guard.' He's tough, gritty and loves to play! He had a great freshman season (at Southern Mississippi), and we can't wait to get him in uniform next year."
- Patrick Chambers
2011-12 • REDSHIRT
A redshirt season under NCAA transfer guidelines, Newbill earned the team's Unsung Hero Award due to his terrific attitude, work ethic and outstanding play in practice...Injured his left shoulder during the first week of practice and was out of action for nearly two months as he rehabilitated...Returned to full participation in practice in January and regularly excelled, playing aggressive defense, rebounding and showing the ability to knock down tough jump shots and score in traffic...Transferred to Penn State from Southern Mississippi in August.
2010-11 • FRESHMAN • SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Newbill ranked third on the Golden Eagle team posting 9.2 ppg and second with 6.2 rpg for a veteran squad that posted a 22-10 mark...started all 32 contests, playing 30.5 minutes per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor to earn Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors...recorded six double-doubles and led Southern Miss in rebounding 11 times on the season, including a season high 16 boards to go with 15 points in a 64-51 win at UTEP in mid-February...led the team in scoring once, posting 14 points in a 67-61 loss at Memphis, and posted 15 double-digit scoring outings, including a season high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and nine boards in an 86-69 win over UCF...his 126 trips to the free throw line ranked second on the team and fifth among freshman in the NCAA.
HIGH SCHOOL
Newbill was a standout out at Strawberry Mansion High in Philadelphia before playing his freshman season at Southern Mississippi in 2010-11...helped Mansion team led by coach Stan Laws to the 2010 PIAA state championship game at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center and was named the Pennsylvania Class AA Player of the Year after posting 24.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game in his senior season...a first team all-state selection by the Philadelphia Daily News...a McDonald's All-America candidate...named the Public League Player of the Year and first team all-city and all-public league...Mansion posted a 28-2 record in his senior campaign and reached the state title game for the second time in three years... posted 15 points in the 2010 championship game...a two-year letterman for the Knights...senior campaign was highlighted by a school-record 64-point performance in a victory over Saul...went 23-of-30 from the field and 16-of-17 at the foul line to post the sixth-highest point total in Philadelphia public league history...averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals as a junior and was named second-team all-state and second team all-public league.
PERSONAL
The son of Tawanda Roach ... born May 22, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa....full name is Devonte Jerrell Newbill...has two brothers, Dominic and Dante, and a sister, Diamond.
