When Kenny Atkinson was hired to coach the Cavaliers, a few assistants were quickly signed. The most intriguing and exciting hire for me was DeMarre Carroll. He has overcome some serious life adversity, and it has made him a tough veteran of the NBA and a warrior. He is a great former player to have the ear of this 2024-25 squad! And who knows? Someday he might be a head coach!
As the playoffs approach, let’s dive into the former Raptor/Hawk player known since college as the Junkyard Dog!
From NBA.com
High School
Born in Alabama, DeMarre was inspired to play basketball when his older brother died of a brain tumor. DeMarre was only nine years old. He was considered a 3 star recruit by Rivals.com as he helped lead John Carroll Catholic High School to a state championship and a 36-0 final record.
Marty Smith, head coach for John Carroll, knew DeMarre was a different player from day 1.
“If a loose ball was on the floor, DeMarre Carroll was going after it. If that rebound was up on the glass, DeMarre Carroll was going to come down with it. His work ethic and his desire to succeed is what really stands out to me. I can’t take credit for that. That’s a DeMarre thing. That’s an Ed and Cynthia [DeMarre’s parents] thing. When I saw his desire to work his butt off, I knew that he was going to be special.”
DeMarre Carroll in College
Carroll played two years at Vanderbilt University until he transferred to play for his uncle, Mike Anderson, at Missouri. Senior year, his Missouri squad made the Elite Eight for the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament. His nickname at Missouri was the “Junkyard Dog” due to his relentless effort and physical play. (Fans: Can you name the three Cavaliers that have played for Vanderbilt?)
COLUMBIA, MO – FEBRUARY 09: DeMarre Carroll #1 of the Missouri Tigers controls the ball on a fast break as Sherron Collins #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks chases during the game on February 9, 2009 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
As he arrived on campus at Missouri, he complained of a rash and itchy legs. Doctors ran tests and found that he had a liver disease. Their recommendation was that he would need a transplant sometime after his playing career. It’s still a thought today.
As if Carroll didn’t have enough to concern himself with, the summer before his senior year, DeMarre and friends were at a nightclub. His friend was in a fight that he was trying to break up. But someone took a gun out and shot Carroll’s ankle. On the podcast, ThanalysisShow, DeMarre talked about that night.
“I ended up getting shot… I was being a good teammate… They rushed me to the hospital, I’m in my head like ‘My career is over’… The bullet missed my Achilles by a hair.” (Via X on ClutchPoints)
NBA – DeMarre Carroll
Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, Carroll played for eight different teams in his career. Cavalier fans remember him mostly with Atlanta and Toronto during the LeBron years. With eleven years experience in both conferences, DeMarre has a background of grinding which many NBA players appreciate and respect.
Via Toronto Raptors, picture from X.
His regular season and postseason numbers are eerily similar.
Regular season: 13.6 PPG, 6.5 RBs, 1.9 ASST, 1.4 S
Playoffs: 11.7 PPG, 5.7 RBs, 1.5 ASST, 1.1 S
For the playoffs, Carroll played in 64 games and averaged 27.3 minutes per game. It’s that experience that current players honor and respect. He made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but was defeated by LeBron and the Cavaliers.
Coaching
DeMarre has had stints as a coach with the Bucks and Lakers. As a former player turned coach he now works with players he played with, like Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert (when they were all playing for Atkinson with the Brooklyn Nets) or against, like Tristian Thompson.
From Cavalier Nation, Robert Marvi
I am sure that Carroll is working with the young guns like Jaylon Tyson and Emoni Bates. In fact, DeMarre pushed for Tyson to start back in November in a game against the Pelicans. The rookie rewarded the move by playing a game high 37 minutes, finishing with a double-double (16 pts/11 boards) and seven assists. Atkinson gave credit to Carroll on that suggestion.
DeMarre Carroll might very well be one of those signings at the beginning of the year that no one notices yet has a major impact on the club and season. Here’s hoping he stays a few years because this young man has a future as a head coach!
Good luck, JYD!!!
Trivia Answer: Darius Garland, DeMarre Carroll, and Damain Jones! All Vandy players!
Catch tonight’s Cavs playoff game against the Miami Heat here:
TV
FanDuel Sports Network-Ohio
Radio
Sirius XM
WTAM/WMMS
Or grab a ticket (if still available) (Right now, the only available tickets are running $553 bucks!)
Let’s Go Cavs!!!!!
The post DeMarre Carroll-From Player to Coach and Key Hire! appeared first on NEO Sports Insiders.