ST. PETERSBURG – Trajan Langdon has come a long way. From Alaska to tonight, when he tries to shoot Duke past UConn for the NCAA championship. From Northern Lights to All-America shooting star.
“For me, it’s been the biggest improvement of any kid I’ve ever seen,” Mike Krzyzewski was saying yesterday, “because when he came to Duke, when he tried to make his drive with those snowshoes on, it was unbelievable,” Krzyzewski cracked. “I got him in the proper equipment…it was a total revamping that we had to do with him.”
Then Coach K turned serious. “I don’t think there’s been a kid in my program that I’ve enjoyed knowing and following his progress more than Tra, and since we’ve had him for five years because he was out for 14 months with his (1995-96) knee injury, I’ve admired him. I’m not sure if you all can remember when you’re 18, 19, 20…he does things that I know I couldn’t have done at that time, and I admire that, especially how he’s faced adversity.
“He’s truly been our leader. He may not look it, but he’s a lot older than these other guys. For him to be so close with this group I think shows not only about Trajan but it shows how much respect the other guys have for him.”
Langdon was asked to respond.
“It was tough to dream and be realistic that I could get back to this point from freshman year [when Duke finished 13-18], and I just followed Coach’s lead and just have been determined and tried to do everything to get back to this point to have my career culminate with a chance to play a national championship game. It just can’t get any better than that.”
Langdon holds the school record for 3-pointers (337). In 10 NCAA games, he is 23-60 from downtown Anchorage even after a 1-for-4 night against Michigan State in the semis. He will be the key tonight if Elton Brand is suffocated inside. He has been instrumental in helping the Blue Devils mature and handle the great expectations.
“He’s been a great leader; not a good leader, a great leader,” Krzyzewski said. “When your top player, the guy who’s been through it, comes to practice and he works so hard and is so well-respected by the other guys, it just brings them all together and they’re able to handle it. Trajan is a very unselfish guy.”
Alaska will be watching him play his last college game tonight. Langdon is a veritable Beatle there. “It’s hard to put into words; it’s just a great joy to have the following that I have in Alaska,” Langdon said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have that kind of following, that kind of support throughout your whole career even though it seems like it’s halfway around the world away.”
Langdon, the strong silent type, has painstakingly accepted a vocal role on the court. “That’s the hardest thing I’ve had to work on,” he said. “I was a little vocal in high school but really didn’t need it.”
His teammates hold him in equal reverence.
“For as good a player and shooter as Trajan Langdon is,” Shane Battier said, “he’s even a better person. I’ve never met someone so dedicated, so focused, so determined, to be the best in all areas of life. He’s been my role model the last two years. I consider myself very lucky to call him my good friend.”
Langdon isn’t particularly crazy about Tropicana Field. “It’s not the easiest place to shoot it,” he said. “It’s huge. There’s no real background. These are the tightest rims I’ve ever shot on.” Still, he drained a critical trey when Michigan State pulled within 51-48 Saturday night. Prime time players do that. “To me there was no pressure,” Langdon said.
You will see him in the NBA next season. First UConn tonight and his first and last chance at the NCAA title.
