"I decided to come to college way before the army," said the 24-year-old Adler. "I wanted to go to college when I was really young, like when I was 16, 17. I saw college basketball on TV. So it was kind of a dream of mine when I was younger."
Metro State's David Adler
by Scott Granowitz
January, 1999--David Adler has had quite a ride the past four years. A native
of Bat-Yam, a southern suburb of Tel-Aviv, the 6-4 shooting guard had planned
to study and play basketball at an American college as a teenager. But, he ran
into some roadblocks that have made that ride even longer than he had expected.
"I decided to come to college way before the army," said the 24-year-old Adler.
"I wanted to go to college when I was really young, like when I was 16, 17.
I saw college basketball on TV. So it was kind of a dream of mine when I was
younger."
Towards the end of his mandatory army service, Adler had a two-week vacation and used the time to go on a recruiting visit to see Central Connecticut, Gonzaga, La Salle, and South Florida, all NCAA Division I schools. He talked on the phone with over 20 schools, but nailed it down to these four. The University of South Florida (USF) won his services for the 1995-96 season, as it was starting play in the new Conference USA and included the long-time head coach Bobby Paschal and his assistant Tony Tonelli.
Adler enjoyed USF very much in the beginning, witnessing firsthand the positive aspects of college ball and being able to correspond with many other Israeli players in the area such as his close friend Oren Aharoni (who played one year at Florida International University in Miami).
"It's really different from Israel," said Adler. "The basketball atmosphere, big arenas with bands, hard practices, long practices, the weight room, everything fancy and the emphasis on basketball."
But after Adler's first season Paschal retired and a younger coaching regime led by Seth Greenberg arrived. After Adler's second year in which he became a starter towards the end of the season, he decided to transfer mostly because the person who recruited him, Tonelli, was no longer a member of the coaching staff. Greenberg also planned on bringing in his own players after going 8-19 in his first season at the helm. Adler finished his 52-game USF career averaging 3.6 points and 14.8 minutes, mostly as a reserve wing. His career high was 17 points, against nationally acclaimed Louisville. Adler was also named USF's Scholar Athlete of the Year during the 1996-97 season.
Adler packed his bags for Colorado, to attend The Metropolitan State College of Denver. Metro State is a Division II institution that offered the academic degree he was seeking in computer information systems, the ability to play immediately instead of having to redshirt at a Division I school due to NCAA transfer regulations, and a new, exciting coach in Mike Dunlap.
"When I came to Metro St., Metro St. wasn't a powerhouse or anything like that in Division II," said an appreciative Adler. "It's a very small school with a very small athletic department. My coach [Dunlap] that recruited me turned this program around. In my first year we were ranked in the top 20 in the nation for Division II."
It was this first season (1997-98) in which the Metro State Roadrunners finished the year with a 25-5 record, a final ranking of 18 in the NABC/Division II poll, and an advancement to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Adler played in all 30 games, starting 12 with averages of 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.9 minutes. For his experience and mentally tough attitude on the floor, Adler was elected the team captain.
"It was very enjoyable to be on one of the best teams in the nation," said Adler after playing on losing teams during his first two college seasons.
Adler credits a lot of personal and team success to coach Dunlap.
"He has his own credentials," said Adler. "He was an assistant coach in a few Division I schools, and coached successful professional teams in Australia. He's a very demanding coach. He preaches success and hard work on the court and outside the court."
Metro State, currently 14-3 this season as of January 20th, is aiming for a national championship. Although a lofty goal, it is the positive atmosphere at Metro State that Adler and his team preach as they work their ways towards the "Elite Eight" this March in Louisville, Kentucky.
"A lot of people in this program, coaches and players, try to live the dream," explained Adler. "Go for the Division II National Championship. At this point in time it is very realistic for us. Of course it would be nice to reach the final 8, but we are not afraid of winning the whole thing."
After Adler graduates this spring with his degree in computer information systems, he plans on playing professionally in the Israeli Basketball League while working towards a master's degree before entering the regular job market. Adler should have no problems finding employment after his playing days are over as Israel is a high tech nation with emphasis in the computer industry.
"That was one of the reasons," explained Adler on why he chose his field of study. "Fortunately I love computers and I am pretty computer literate. There is good money and good job opportunities."
Upon arriving in college, Adler was known as an outstanding scorer from his days playing for his home club Maccabi Tel-Aviv and the national teams at the cadet, junior, and "22-and-under" levels. He is glad he made the effort to fulfill his dream of playing college ball.
"I learned a lot of stuff that I probably wouldn't have in Israel," said Adler. "A lot of aspects of my game were improved in the four years, whether it's defense, individual skills, or athleticism."
Adler is proud of his Israeli heritage and he wears it every time he steps on the court or in the classroom.
"Whenever you as a basketball player or an individual go out and play in a different county, whether it's on a club team or a national team or here when I play on a college team I feel like I represent Israel," said Adler. "I know that the impression I make on people will be the impression that they have on Israel as a whole. It is important for me to act properly and to behave properly and to make a good impression."
The Metro State basketball team definitely has an experienced and well-travelled leader. Check them out this season as they make their ways towards the Promised Land.
Follow David and the Metro Staters throughout the season by clicking here.
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