The story behind TCU basketball’s ‘The Deflector’ chain
Kevin Samuel brought his bling to the postgame news conference following TCU’s impressive 79-50 victory over Lamar on Saturday.
Samuel, the 6-foot-11, 250-pound center, proudly showed off “The Deflector” chain, featuring a muscular Horned Frog with plenty of pizzazz. Just envision the University of Miami football’s “Turnover Chain.”
“The Deflector comes from getting deflections,” Samuel said. “So it’s basically playing defense, getting the most deflections during the game. I got it like three times last week.”
Yes, Samuel has been a difference-making player all season. He registered his sixth double-double against Lamar, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. But deflections don’t show up in the box score.
Instead, an assistant keeps the stats during the game and Samuel has been as active as anyone in that department. Deflections range from tipping a pass to blocking a shot to making a steal to swatting a dribble.
Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino is a notable name who has always valued deflections, as he believes they correlate directly to wins.
TCU coach Jamie Dixon shares a similar philosophy. Winning comes down to doing the little things such as deflections.
“We’re trying to find ways to recognize that,” Dixon said. “Kevin’s been unbelievable as far as a big guy getting deflections and getting hands on balls. He’s just done a terrific job. It’s amazing. He does some unbelievably good things for a guy his size and that’s one of them. He’s really active on drives and obviously blocks some shots too.
“He really covers a lot of space and covers up for our guys. I was telling our guys during the game, there’s going to be times where you need to be there for him. We saw that maybe more so in the last game [against USC], and a couple other opponents that we’ve played, but he always seems to be the guy they’re relying on. I don’t want them to take it for granted.”
‘The Deflector’ chain is only one honor that Dixon and his staff award players following victories. There’s also accolades for the player who takes the most charges. And, after the assistants break down the game, one player is named the “Big Tough Frogman.”
Those carry a little more meaning to the players.
As Samuel said when asked if he kept track of his double-double progress in games, “Not really. I just try to go out there and play hard.
“Do whatever it takes to give my teammates a win at the end of the day.”
TCU returns to action against No. 23 Xavier on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Schollmaier Arena.
