College Commitment: Austin Dufort (2018 Tigard HS)
Injuries are unfortunately a part of the game. Austin Dufort could certainly attest to that. But the heady 6-foot-6 forward played through the pain his senior season at Tigard High School, and it was a memorable final prep season for him.
“(The injury) was tough, but despite that I played well in the games that I did play,” Dufort said. “My injury limited our teams success as I think we had goals to win league and make it to the Chiles Center. Even though we didn’t achieve those goals I still feel my senior year was a really fun and exciting season.”
2017-18 was a year in which Dufort got a chance to showcase a more diverse game than in previous years.
“I feel like in the past I was only a back to the basket type guy but this past AAU season and high school season I have developed a shot and a skill set to take people off the dribble,” Dufort said. “During the high school season I’m always guarding the post player because I’m the tallest player on my team, but during last AAU season I was switching out to 1-5 and giving people fits. I think I have really progressed defensively as well.”
Dufort’s increased skill set caught the eye of college scouts this past year. He noted that several Division III schools showed quite a bit of interest, but instead Dufort will go the junior college route having signed with Chemeketa late last week.
“I know the coaches at Chemeketa well and I think I can grow both on and off the court the most there,” Dufort said. “My goal is to improve as a player and help the team win any and all ways I can.”
At Chemeketa, Dufort will join older brother Andrew, who redshirted for the Storm this past season.