Darnell had a decision to make before
graduating from high school. He had the
choice to attend a prep school for a year
with the hope of possibly playing for a
DII or DI college, or attend Gwynedd
Mercy University and play from the
start.
“In the summer, I made my decision to
go to GMercyU,” Darnell reflected.
It turned out to be the right decision.
During his GMercyU career, Darnell
was named the Colonial States Athletic
Conference (CSAC) Rookie of the Year
and was named First Team All-CSAC
three times. He is currently fifth all
time for GMercyU in scoring with 1,319
points, first in assists with 448, second in
free throws with 327, and third in three-
pointers with 168. He is the only player
in team history to surpass both 1,000
points and 400 assists.
in numerous statistical categories,
including scoring.
Darnell returned to the Globetrotters
and is now in his fourth season. He has
been able to combine his passion for
basketball and the communication skills
he learned in the classroom by being an
ambassador for the team. You can often
find Darnell doing interviews on the
news, radio, and in the community.
“Sure, I get to travel the world and play
basketball, but at the same time I get to
put a smile on people’s faces,” Darnell
said. “You don’t know what they’re
going through and for 90 minutes they
get to have the time of their life because
of you.”
The achievement he is most proud of,
however, is leading the Griffins to a
CSAC Conference Championship in
2016.
“My teammate Jason Cavall said it
best. It was like a storybook,” Darnell
said. “What better way to end a career
than by taking over the game, winning a
championship and MVP of the game. It
couldn’t have been written any better.”
Darnell credits all of his and his fellow
teammates’ success to Head Coach John
Baron.
“Outside of my dad, Coach Baron is
probably my biggest mentor,” Artis said.
“We have a special connection. He’s not
just a coach, not just a mentor, he’s one
of my best friends. Our relationship to
this day is based around trust.”
After graduating with his bachelor’s
degree in Communications in 2016,
Darnell tried out for the Globetrotters
and made the team, an opportunity
that was brought to him thanks to
connections members of GMercyU’s
coaching staff had.
During the seasonal break for the
Globetrotters after his first season,
Darnell played for America Esporte
Club in Brazil where he led the country
TODAY
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