In the midst of all the Hurricane Helene aftermath, which included local sports teams pushing pause on their competitive action, North Augusta basketball standout Daron Dunbar was still getting things done.
Namely, deciding his college basketball future.
The 6-foot-4 Yellow Jacket guard took to X last Monday to share his decision to choose Augusta University and longtime coach Dip Metress for his basketball future.
Dunbar has carved out a reputation for himself as one of South Carolina’s top seniors, and certainly one of the best returning players to the CSRA’s basketball scene. His double-figure scoring average and heady backcourt play helped North Augusta to a 21-8 record last season with an undefeated mark and region championship in SCHSL’s Region 4-AAAA.
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We got the chance to chat with Dunbar and ask him all about his commitment to AU, his excitement for his senior season and the source of his basketball passion.
GABRIEL STOVALL: What is it about AU that made you decide that it was the right program for you to choose? And what were some of the other schools you were considering?
DARON DUNBAR: “Some of the other schools I had to choose from were FMU [Florida Memorial University], Voorhees College and Montreat College. But the big difference from AU to other schools is that coach Dip and coach [Zach] Tinkham have been with me since my sophomore year of high school, just watching me play and watching me get better each year. Coach Dip really made me see that AU is not just a good basketball program, but also a great school in general.”
STOVALL: How has your time at North Augusta prepared you for college ball? How have you improved the most from a freshman to now?
DUNBAR: “My time at North Augusta has really been amazing, and it’s really helped me educate myself a lot in every way. Also, my coaches here have always been amazing. I can get in the gym anytime and they allow me to get work in whenever I can.”
STOVALL: When did you start playing basketball, and what was the moment when you felt you could play at a high level? Like, was it a specific game or performance that made the light come on for you?
DUNBAR: “I’ve been playing basketball since I was, like, 4 years old. I’ve always had love for the game of basketball, really, and honestly, it’s just been a big thing in my entire family for as long as I can remember.”
STOVALL: How important was it for you to be able to stay close to home for college?
DUNBAR: “Staying home was the option I chose because, looking at what I had on the table and the options available to me, I just felt my best option for my career was to stay home in Augusta.”
STOVALL: What are your goals for your senior season now that you’ve got your commitment out of the way?
DUNBAR: “My goals for my last high school season is to make everyone around me better. I feel like I can show some of the younger guys on the team what it looks like to be a leader. As a vocal leader, really I just want to open up more when I’m out there on the court, because that’s the only way you’re gonna get your best self out there. And I feel like that’s the best way to get the best out of your teammates on the court.”
