Boston College Athletics
Troy Bell: A Ringing Success
January 20, 2001 | Men's Basketball
As Troy Bell moves through his sophomore season at Boston College, he continues to lead the Eagles. Just like last year, he ranks as the team's top scorer. He has assumed the point-guard role on full-time basis. He's also stepped up his game on the defensive end.
This year, however, Bell does so under the watchful eyes of scouts, fans, and, of course, opposing coaches and players. Last year, Bell caught most everyone by surprise. No chance of that in 2000-01.
LONG HAUL TO BIG EAST HONORS
When Bell took the BIG EAST Conference by storm last year, he did so without much warning. Coming from Academy of Holy Angels High School, a Catholic school in Richfield, Minn., Bell entered BC without much fanfare.
In fact, BC head coach Al Skinner and his staff were one step ahead of the competition when it came to Troy Bell. Despite posting outstanding numbers in high school, Bell didn't attract much attention - at least until after his junior season.
"I wasn't really recruited very much until after my 11th grade year," Bell said. "I put up big numbers throughout high school, but most people don't think of Minnesota as a basketball hotbed."
Bell had gained some looks through his participation in AAU ball. He had played with the Howard Pulley Panthers since the sixth grade, traveling around the country and facing stiff competition. Still, the longest looks he received were from Division 2 schools and schools like Wyoming, Wayne State and St. Cloud State.
LITTLE ATTENTION, NO PROBLEM
Bell recalled the difficulty he had in gaining interest from larger programs - and even from some of the area newspapers. Not one to focus much on individual honors, he nevertheless remembers finishing second in the state in scoring as a junior, yet capturing just third team accolades. The following year - even after some name schools had begun knocking on his door - he led the state in scoring and still gained just second team recognition from one newspaper.
While the newspapers may have failed to grasp the full scope of Bell's talents, college recruiters had certainly set their sights on the guard from Minneapolis. Bell cited Tennessee, Xavier and Boston College as the three schools that had expressed the most interest - and had caught his attention in return. He did express frustration about the lack of interest shown him by his state university.
"I kind of wanted to go to the University of Minnesota," Bell said. "I live only about 10 minutes from the school, but they never really showed much of an interest."
BC'S THE CHOICE
In the end, Skinner and his staff made a convincing case and Bell happily accepted the Eagles' scholarship offer. He headed East with high hopes, strong motivation and an open mind.
"I never really received the credit I felt I deserved, but it's no big deal," he said of his high school experience. "So I definitely used that as motivation."
As an unheralded freshman, Bell was determined - determined not to capture major honors nor media attention, but rather just to work his way into the BC line-up.
"I don't come into any situation with any preconceived ideas," he said, explaining his modest first-year goals. "The coaches told me I had a great opportunity to start, but they didn't make any guarantees. My goals were just to start, to get a feel for the guys and the program and to take it from there.
"I'd played pro-am ball, so the physical part of the game wasn't a concern," he said. "I already knew I could score. That was never a problem. So I wanted to come in and to try to win some games, make some improvements, make some strides."
And that he did. Bell's efforts gave the Eagles' program a needed boost of offense and energy. By year's end, he'd done much more than earn a spot in his team's rotation. He'd made a name for himself nationally. Bell captured 1999-2000 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year honors, and gained a spot on Basketball Times' Freshman All-America Team.
His 20.1 point per game average in league contests was a BIG EAST record. In fact, his scoring total eclipsed the previous mark that had been set by former Georgetown and current NBA superstar Allen Iverson.
Bell accepted the accolades and attention with humility and class.
"I was definitely surprised," he said of his success. "I didn't have any expectations, so for things to work out the way they did was just a blessing."
TIPPING HIS CAP
Rather than bask in the glory of his accomplishments, Bell prefers to credit others for his success. First, he mentions Al Skinner and his assistant coaches for allowing him the opportunity.
Then, he sings the praises of Dwayne Pina, his backcourt mate last winter who was sidelined this season by heart problems.
"Dwayne taught me most of the ropes. This year I have a pretty good feel for what I want to do every time down the court," Bell said. "Last year, when I was confused, Dwayne was always there to tell me this or to look for that. We were fighting for the same position, but he still kind of took me under his wing, and I really appreciate that. A lot of people wouldn't be man enough to do something like that."
CLEAR MIND EQUALS SUCCESS
Looking at Bell on the court, fans see a model of intensity. Bell himself believes it's another characteristic that has helped him succeed.
"I think of myself as a calm player, for the most part," he said. "I like to come in with a general sense of what I want to do - play solid defense and get everyone involved, while still being aggressive offensively because that's who I am."
Bell believes his calm and collected, one-step-at-a-time approach allows him to take better charge of the game. He tries to keep his competitive instincts in check.
"You have to be competitive to be any kind of player in college, but at the same time you have to see the end result. You have to see what you want to do. You can't be enthusiastic all the time because you'll make some poor decisions.
"While there is that side of me that's really competitive, there's also that side that can calm down and realize what I have to do."
CARRYING IT OFF THE COURT?
When Bell steps off the court and away from the gym, he remains much the same person. Unlike some players who present one face on the court and a completely different manner off the court, Bell believes his personality is fairly consistent.
"I'm pretty much the same on and off the court. I'm just calm and collected and I just take things as they come," he said. "I don't get upset too much at all."
When he's not in uniform, Bell enjoys listening to music and socializing with friends. He tries - and tends - not to make basketball a full-time job.
"It's not with me all the time and I wouldn't say I leave it completely in the gym. The truth's somewhere in between," he said. "During the summer, when basketball is not my main priority, I don't think about it too much. I know what I need to do to be a better player. Basketball's definitely a big part of my life, but I don't bring it with me everywhere I go. There's a lot more to life than basketball."
THE FUTURE
Despite his personal success and quickly growing list of accolades, Bell shies away from looking into his personal future. Rather, the sophomore guard prefers to focus on team goals - an area he believes has great potential.
"I definitely want to get to the tournament," he said. "I think this is the year we can go. Right now we have the opportunity to do some good things, so that's my main goal right now.
"I don't have any personal goals. I know what I have to do. I have to contribute, and just by me doing what I have to do every game is going to lead to personal accomplishments and awards. I'm not even worried about that. I just want to get this team thing going.
"Nobody ever receives the credit they deserve unless their team does well anyway."
