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04/11/2019 12:01 AMNick Donofrio has loved basketball from the second he stepped on the court, and he’s displayed great dedication to the game ever since. Halfway through his high school career, Nick is using his passion for basketball to make a big impact with the Tigers.
Nick recently completed his sophomore season as a shooting guard for the Hand boys’ basketball team. In his first year at the varsity level, Nick proved a solid scorer by netting an average of 10.1 points per game for an up-and-coming club.
“My scoring average this year is a credit to my teammates. We were a young team that started three sophomores, and my point guards gave me good looks, as well,” Nick says. “The confidence I had in my own abilities helped keep me strong.”
Nick likes to take threes and shot the ball at a 37-percent clip from beyond the arc this winter. However, he’s also learned how to reel things in a bit when it comes to being quick on the draw. Nick appreciates that his mentors have taken note of his offensive abilities and helped him develop those skills.
“I love the 3-pointer. It’s my go-to shot. I’ve been blessed with a good shot since I was young. I also love the midrange pull-up, and I’ve gotten comfortable with it,” says Nick. “My dad has told me that I’m a scorer, and all of my coaches have seen my athleticism and helped me progress.”
Nick was part of the sophomore core on a young Hand team this winter. Nick says the seniors provided great veteran guidance, so he mostly focused on facilitating teamwork by moving the ball around.
“Being a sophomore, it was hard to lead with words. Our senior captains were good at leading us,” Nick says. “I love getting teammates involved and helping make things easier for them.”
Head Coach Jim Economopoulos says that Nick brings palpable energy to the Tigers every time he takes the floor. Economopoulos adds that Nick is a team-first player whether he’s in the starting lineup or giving Hand a boost off the bench.
“Nick brings a passion to the game that is visible on the court and takes pride in hitting shots and getting his team fired up,” says Economopoulos. “Nick began the year as one of our starters, but as the season went on, he started coming off the bench. He handled it great and made the best of his role, consistently giving us good minutes and instant offense.”
After Hand came close to earning a playoff bid this year, Nick feels confident that the Tigers will stay on the rise next winter. Nick knows that all the experience Hand’s underclassmen gained this season is going to pay dividends in the 2019-’20 campaign.
“We were a young team this year and, because of that, I think we have a lot of potential for next year,” says Nick.