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DeMercy Could Make A Name For Himself

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

Updated: 02/11/2008 11:48 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Whether during a postgame news conference, a chat before practice, or a formal interview in his office, Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton is sure to call the lanky freshman DeMercer.

His name is Jordan DeMercy.

He is a 6-foot-7 forward from Norcross, Ga., who has played sparingly in FSU's first 24 games. That, however, is expected to change in the Seminoles' final seven games, especially if senior guard Isaiah Swann is unable to return from a knee injury.

"That's just Coach Ham, that's his lingo," DeMercy said. "I don't know if he knows how to pronounce it right, but that's all right."

With Swann sidelined indefinitely by a torn ACL in his left knee, Hamilton should get plenty of practice butchering DeMercy's name as he attempts to maneuver the Seminoles past yet another hurdle. In Wednesday's 62-55 victory at Miami, DeMercy played a career-high 16 minutes after Swann left the game late in the first half.

Swann's status for Thursday's game against Wake Forest remains uncertain - FSU is hopeful Swann might be able to finish the season wearing a knee brace before undergoing corrective surgery - but if he cannot play, DeMercy likely will pick up most of Swann's minutes.

DeMercy has appeared in 21 games, averaging 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 7.9 minutes a game. He is known mostly for his defense and ball-handling, not putting up points like Swann, the team's third-leading scorer at 11.8 points a game. Still, if the Noles are forced to use him down the stretch, DeMercy is much more confident he can deliver than he was earlier in the season.

"I'm a lot more comfortable now," he said. "As soon as the ACC schedule started, I felt more comfortable, like I was coming into myself. I've never really been a I'm-going-to-score-20-points-a-game guy. I'm just going to do what the team needs: Rebound, steals, assists, points, whatever it needs."

The Noles (14-10, 3-6 ACC) snapped a three-game losing streak by winning at Miami. Swann's injury is the latest setback for a team that has been without several key players at times this season. If Swann is unable to play Thursday, it will be the first game he has missed during his FSU career.

It also will give DeMercer - oops, DeMercy - an opportunity to make sure Hamilton knows his real name by season's end.

"He made some great athletic plays at Miami," senior guard Jason Rich said. "He had to understand that he belongs on this level. He's beginning to understand these guys put on their shorts the same way they did in high school."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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