Viking in the Spotlight: Men's Basketball Player Donovon Guess
2/15/19
Sophomore Guard Donovon Guess
Hometown: Camden, NJ
High School: Leap Academy University Charter
West Windsor, N.J. – Men’s basketball at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has had a resurgent 2018-19 season. The Vikings’ 12-1 record in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 places them atop the Division II standings.
While the team began the season with a pair of losses, it quickly bounced back, rattling off six straight wins during November and December. Toppling teams like Bucks and Manor colleges in hard fought games provided an early morale boost, which has carried the Vikings through February.
Though team synergy has been the foundation from which the Vikings’ success has grown, sophomore guard Donovon Guess has been a driving force in the program’s accomplishments. Originally from Camden, Guess’ name has become synonymous with high-scoring nights at Mercer, as he leads the Vikings with 19 points per game.
Guess’ achievement this season hit the milestone mark midway through the Vikings’ Feb. 7 game against Essex County College. His 28th point that night was the 1,000th of his Mercer career. Such a feat hasn't been recorded by an MCCC player in decades..
“It's an incredible accomplishment for Donovon to have scored 1,000 points for us, especially in the context of how we play, which involves discipline and ball movement,” Head Coach Howard Levy said. Tallying almost 18 assists per game, Mercer currently is among the top 30 teams in the nation in assists, further speaking to the team’s unselfish style of play.
“Donovon’s done this not by looking to score, but by taking advantage of what is available,” Levy added. “He is an unselfish player and an underrated passer, and even passes up many shots to create opportunities for his teammates.”
Though Guess and his teammates are basking in their most recent 101-96 victory over Morris County College, which came in double-overtime, the Vikings are shifting their sights to the final two games of the regular season. Mercer will visit Cumberland County College on Feb. 15 and then head to Scranton, Pa., to finish the regular season against Lackawanna College.
Donovon Guess is the MCCC Player in the Spotlight.