Crossroads' Tucker signs with Averett University

Fast forward six years later to his senior season in Henderson and Tucker has emerged as a star for the Colts, committing to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level with Averett University.

On Wednesday, Tucker made it official, signing his National Letter of Internet surrounded by his family, friends, and head coach Scottie Richardson.

“To sit at that table with his family beside him, it’s a special thing. I don’t think you can put a price tag on that,” said Richardson. “The beauty of it is when a kid does sign and is able to play college basketball. There’s a smile on their face and it’s a dream come true for them.”

For Tucker, finding his home meant reverting back to Henderson and finding a program that pushed him and fostered him the way Crossroads did.

“The culture seems similar to what we have at Crossroads,” said Tucker. “It’s a small school with a good heart. Coach Doino is like Scottie. He gives energy, he’s out there working out with the guys, and demonstrating as a coach. That really stuck out to me.”

As a senior with the Colts, Tucker confirmed his status as the team’s best defender, but grew vocally and on the offensive end. While guarding each opponent’s best player, he also averaged a career-high 10 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

“D’Markus is the backbone of our team because he’s a guy that loves defense and defense wins championships,” said Richardson. “He does the little things. If he has to guard someone’s best player, he wants to do that. If they have a big man, he doesn’t mind guarding them as well.”

Tucker also holds the program record for blocks in a career with 83.

Part of Tucker’s growth can be credited to his ability to step outside of his comfort zone. Entering his last year in Henderson, Tucker competed on the Colts’ soccer team as a goalkeeper, helping them to a No. 1 ranking.

“Overall, it helped my lateral quickness and it kept my feet quick. It helped me improve my hand and ball coordination, but overall, it taught me to adapt to new situations,” said Tucker. “This year, [in basketball], I had to adapt to being one of the two or three top guys on the team whether it was on offense or defense.”

His success is another example of the culture and winning tradition at Crossroads, as he is now the 10th player over the last four seasons to play basketball at the collegiate level. This accomplishment is thanks in part to Richardson, who takes his duties as a coach far beyond his players’ time in Henderson.

For Richardson, although he only coached Tucker for two seasons, he will be his coach for life.

“I told his parents that I don’t want to coach him for two years, I’m looking to coach him for life. I want to make sure my players understand that we’re a family and that it is more than basketball.”