INSTITUTE, W.Va. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” The newest member of Herd That, MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s alumni The Basketball Tournament team, is former Thundering Herd guard DeAndre Kane.
Kane spent three seasons in Huntington playing for coach Tom Herrion from 2010-13, averaging 16 points and five rebounds in 96 games.
Kane left Marshall and spent his senior season at Iowa State in 2013-14.
The former Thundering Herd and Cyclone guard has experience playing in the TBT. He has been a member of four championship teams, including three with Overseas Elite.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œJon (Elmore) and I have been friends for a while,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kane said at a Herd That practice at West Virginia State, on why he chose to play with Herd That this year. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt was also the connection with Marshall. I have always had that connection because I went there. That was the first school I chose as a young man that took me in and helped me grow as a basketball player.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThis is going to be my last year. So, I wanted to end it out with the team I started (college) with.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The TBT is a $1 million, winner-take-all tournament.
Herd That reached the semifinal round last year in Philadelphia but fell short to Heartfire, 73-68.
The Marshall-based alumni team will start its revenge tour in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday against Jackson TN Boom inside Rupp Arena.
Kane loves the connections made with his teammates.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe bonds and lifetime friendships with guys that went to your college and havenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t seen in so many years (are special),ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kane said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEveryoneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s got their own life going on and doing their own things with playing overseas, having babies, getting married and enjoying life. You never really get to see each other, and TBT gives you a chance to do so in the summer.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Elmore and Kane never took the floor with one another at Marshall.
KaneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s last season in Huntington was 2013, while Elmore started in 2015.
Elmore, a George Washington product, is excited to finally share the hardwood with Kane.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe guy has won the tournament four times,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Elmore said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBringing that kind of experience is valuable. He graduated and was an all-conference player at Marshall. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s cool to have him back.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Kane agrees with Elmore that playing in the TBT together will be special.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œJon is such a great talent and player,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kane said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t get a chance to share the court together at the Cam (Henderson Center). ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to be cool to play here and still put on the Marshall green. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m looking forward to not only playing with him but the rest of the team.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Kane believes he is different player this time around than the last time he wore kelly green and white.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m more mature,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kane said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m an older player. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to be different. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a different team, coach and style of play. A lot of things are different, but, like I said, the green never goes away. You always bleed green. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s love.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Taylor Kennedy covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-7935 or tkennedy@hdmediallc.com. Follow on Twitter.
