Well-Traveled Torres Ready for Duquesne

The game of basketball has taken P.J. Torres well beyond his New Rochelle roots.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 185-pound off guard has been a regular on some of New York City's regal basketball real estate.

The competition at Rucker Park, "The Cage" on West Fourth Street, Dyckman basketball courts (where NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earned his stripes as a teenager) and "Baby Rucker Park" at 145th street have all helped Torres augment his toughness.

Plying his trade before jam-packed parks in the Mecca of basketball, Torres has polished his patented behind-the-back move in transition on these courts, a 25-minute train ride from his home.

Torres has levitated above the hostile crowds and crammed home dunks, helping New Rochelle basketbal earn respect and visibility beyond Westchester County.

Torres, who averaged 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while spearheading New Rochelle to a berth in the Class AA/Section 1 semi-final his senior year, will take his game beyond Westchester and the bright lights of the famed New York City streetball venues next season.

Torres penned with Duquesne University in Pittsburgh two months ago. He was sold on head coach Ron Everhart's program the moment he stepped foot off the plane following his visit.

"It felt like I was already part of the team when I played in open gym games with the team," said Torres of his campus visit.

"With the way they were communicating with me, I felt like I was at home. We ran back and forth, scrimmaged, and played hard against each other. It was just pure basketball."

Torres, who bolstered his stock when he scored 35 points, tore down 14 rebounds, dished out six assists, and collected four steals en route to a signature victory over St. Raymond's, was also excited about the challenge. 

"They weren't guaranteeing anything, they weren't saying I would get immediate playing time, which was cool. The players basically told me they don't do what a lot of these other schools do by telling you you're going to play right away to lure you in. For me, that's what caught my attention. That just shows me that when I get there, I'm going to have to fight for it and push. Nothing is going to be handed to me and I want it that way." 

Torres, who plays for the Bronx-based Gauchos on the AAU circuit, first garnered Everhart's attention during the annual Peach Jam tournament in South Carolina.

Leaking out in transition and finishing above the rim, permeating the teeth of the defense on forays to the basket and dropping mid-range jumpers that he extended beyond the arc, Torres turned heads. Everhart's idea was to invest four years in the versatile, high-motor recruit.

Duquesne, Hofstra, Canisius and Rhode Island expressed considerable interest from the beginning.

"Rhode Island offered me (a scholarship) in the summer, but they kind of faded away," explained Torres.

"I guess they had someone commit, or whatever the case may be."

Baylor came into the scene following Torres' aforementioned 35-point eruption, when he got the better of St. Rays' heavily-hyped prospect Daniel Dingle. Torres again emerged as a prolific scorer during an eyeball-to-eyeball battle with West Virginia-bound guard Jabarie Hinds of Mount Vernon. Torres poured in 37 points, albeit the Huguenots lost a tight barnburner.

Baylor's interest in Torres was inconsistent. As New Rochelle made their way to the playoffs, College of Charleston began to pursue Torres.

In March, a time when most highly coveted seniors had their future hardwood homes chosen, Torres whittled down his list to Duquesne and College of Charleston.

He flirted with the idea of doing a post-graduate year at a nearby Prep School, thinking he could draw more interest with another year under his belt.

As a late bloomer on the recruiting market, Torres did not want to rush his decision. He thought about refining and polishing aspects of his game like his pull up jumper, foot speed and packing on more muscle.

Then, Torres received some valuable advice from a familiar face of New Rochelle basketball.

Geoff McDermott, the current professional who played at Providence College and re-wrote the program record books with the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice (the tandem helped spearhead New Rochelle to championships in football and basketball during the 2004-2005 season), told him to jump at the right opportunity.

McDermott's words proved prophetic.  

"Prep school was an option because I thought I could get some better looks from colleges," said Torres.

"Geoff basically told me, ‘if you find a school that you're comfortable with, you've got to make the move.’ I realized, you can’t hold back because a scholarship could always open up for another player. When I visited Duquesne, I realized ‘I belong here.’ Geoff turned out to be right.”

From gyms throughout Westchester to Rockland County, to famed asphalt courts in the hoops hotbed of Harlem, Torres’ game has been on display. Next stop, Duquesne.

Though he’ll be far away in Pittsburgh, Torres will likely feel right at home on the hardwood.