An Unlikely Friendship
(St. Louis, MO) – One is a prep school basketball coach flooding universities with high caliber players and one is an ex-convict. Both were from broken homes and both love basketball. Playground basketball brought Adam Donyes and Derrick Derrell together. Friendship and faith have forged something neither expected.
Their book, “Win by Two” is a moving, interesting and provoking telling of their common story.
Donyes is the head basketball coach at Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri. Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley Conference fans know some of his players. Southern Illinois’ Ben Harvey and Evansville’s Trey Hall are former Lions. So are SIUE’s Lamar and Shamar Wright and freshman Desmond Polk. The Cougars have already signed a current Lion, Zane Butler to come to the OVC school next year.
Former SEC ‘Player of the Year’ Mason Jones (Arkansas) may be the best known of Link Year’s graduates.
Strange Way to Meet
While Donyes was in his rookie season as a high school coach in Kansas City, he met Derrell at a city park in a ‘pick up basketball’ game. At first the 5’8 white guy wasn’t enthusiastically welcomed by the African American participants. In fact, they thought he may be a ‘badly dressed, undercover cop’.
The two remember their first meeting.
Derrell was 6’5 and arguably the best player in the area. His nickname ‘Stateline Hibachi’ says it all. He says, ‘if I’m in the area, I’m always hot!’
The two began to respect each other through their basketball experiences, but a friendship started to form and Donyes had a crazy idea.
Coaching Together
Donyes needed an assistant coach. Derrell needed a job. Donyes’ team needed some toughness and perhaps his school needed a bit of diversity.
He invited ‘Stateline’ to join his staff.
The two ‘basketball junkies’ became deeply rooted friends. They spent time in one another’s homes and with each other’s families. When Derrell, who had a previous conviction, went to jail it was Donyes and other families from that private Christian school that visited and supported their new friend.
A Common Faith
Prior to their meeting, Derrell had come to a place of personal need and crisis. He called out to God for help and part of the answer came in the form of Donyes. The former Boise State guard and Christian camp counselor (Kamp Kanakuk – Branson, MO) simply shared his life and eternal biblical truths with his new friend.
Those seeds took root and Derrell found himself helping others in prison and now speaks about his life in Christ to those of both similar and different backgrounds. He is raising his son Darrius in Kansas City.
While he’s not used to public speaking, he is glad to share a message of hope to willing listeners.
Win by Two
“Win by Two” is a compelling book that I could not put down. I wanted to know what was happening next and how Adam & Derrick’s relationship would evolve. This is the perfect book to purchase for your basketball-minded friend, child or loved one.
Donyes is cranking out D1 prospects in Branson, but feels like his most important work is to help young men learn eternal values that will guide them through life. This book is not ‘preachy’ but you will read about faith in Christ. Mostly, you will hear it in the simple ways Derrell explains stories he’s read and lessons he has learned.
Our full conversation can be found at Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts or on YouTube. Our previous interview with Donyes about Link Year Prep can be found here.
I encourage you to go buy “Win by Two”.
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While you're all stirred up about @MissouriStBears leaving the @MVCsports you can get to know @UIC_MBB new coach @RobEhsan who is building the Flames' basketball program.
Since 2000, Missouri State's football team is 101-164. They've accumulated 5 winning seasons, with ONE being better than 6-5. They've accumulated SEVEN seasons of at least 8 losses. Not knocking them for struggling, but to move up for THAT sport has to come with some very good $
I have to admit I am sad that MO State is leaving. The bean counters have obviously counted all the beans and they think it can work. I thought they had been down that road and decided it didn't work now, but perhaps I heard wrongly.
People are already speculating on future Valley teams. If the league wants to expand, the football component is the key question. The reason the Bears are leaving is for football. So you have to look at SoCon, Summit, Horizon, ASUN & OVC teams.
