Timmermans knows how to wait to showcase his talent for the Irish
By JOE LICANDRO
Sports Writer
Good things come to those who wait.
No one knows this better than Notre Dame sophomore Tom Timmer-mans. After sitting out most of his freshman year behind future NBA first-round draft-pick Troy Murphy and battling knee and ankle injuries during the early stages of this season, the Irish center is finally getting the opportunity to showcase his basketball skills on the court.
In Notre Dame's narrow three-point loss to Syracuse on Sunday, Timmermans grabbed a career-high six rebounds while limiting Syracuse's center Jeremy McNeil to only two points.
"It was hard to sit on the bench, but I never gave up." said Timmermans. "Even when I did not play, I just wanted to improve. When I was hurt this season, I did not get depressed or down on myself. I just kept plugging and working hard."
A native of Dierhuis, Netherlands, Timmermans started playing basketball at age 12 when his friends asked him to participate in a tournament in the local sports club.
"I was a soccer player and a speed skater," said Timmermans. "One day, I participated in a basketball tournament at a local sports club and just really liked the sport. I was always tall and I grew six inches when I was 15, so basketball made sense."
As he grew older and improved, Timmermans participated in basketball tournaments all across Europe. In the summer before his junior year in high school, an American AAU basketball scout noticed his talent and offered him the chance to play at the Blue Ridge School in Virginia. Although leaving his family was a difficult decision, Timmermans dreamed of one day earning a college scholarship to play basketball.
"Of course it is tough to leave your family for a new country and a new culture," said Timmermans. "Language was not a problem though because I learned English in school. You have to set high goals for yourself"
Although there has been an influx of European players in the NBA and college basketball in the last 10 years, Timmer-mans knew the competition would be much tougher in the United States. He worked at Blue Ridge High to adjust to the American style of play.
"European leagues are getting a lot better, but competition in the Netherlands is not great," said Timmermans. "I knew that playing basketball in the United States would be a real challenge."
During his senior year, Timmermans' talent caught the eye of several college coaches. Tennessee, Oregon and Pittsburgh all recruited him, but he decided to attend Notre Dame for its academic reputation.
"Notre Dame is recognized as an excellent academic institution with alums all over the world," said Timmermans. "I really liked [former Irish head] coach [Matt] Doherty and felt comfortable with the coaching staff at Notre Dame, also."
When Doherty decided to leave Notre Dame to coach at his alma mater North Carolina, Timmermans decided to stick with his commitment to Notre Dame. While other players might have entered Notre Dame with a negative attitude after a coaching change, Timmermans dedicated himself to impressing new head coach Mike Brey and his staff by demonstrating his strong work ethic in practice in the weight room.
Timmermans, who packed on 35 pounds of muscle onto his 6-foot-11 frame in the past year, is quick to credit the coaching staff and his teammates with his improvement.
"When I came to Notre Dame, I was skinny. I worked a lot with strength coach Tony Rolinski to improve my conditioning," said Timmermans. "Playing against Troy Murphy, Ryan Humphrey and Harold Swanagan every day in practice helped me improve tremendously."
After overcoming injuries at the beginning of the season, Timmermans' hard work finally paid off when Brey put him into the regular playing rotation after Swanagan went down with an ankle injury in the middle of the season.
Since playing his first significant minutes of the season against Seton Hall on Jan. 27, he has seen a steady rise in his playing time over the last month. In last Sunday's game against Syracuse, he played 21 minutes while remaining in the crucial stages of the game for his defense.
"I guess it's just Tom being really good. He's a great physical presence in there and he's bouncing around a lot more," Brey said about Timmermans increased playing time.
Timmer-mans' teammates know that his play will go a long way in determining Notre Dame's NCAA tournament hopes.
Humphrey attributes Timmermans' recent success to his great attitude and demeanor.
"He's bigger, stronger, faster, and a better player all around," said Humphrey. "Tom has changed his mentality this season. He's very menacing. He knows he can help us and be a physical presence in the Big East."
Fellow center Harold Swanagan has also noticed Timmermans' dedication and hard work this season.
"He had a lot of injuries earlier in the year," added Swanagan. "His attitude is different. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Big East over the next two years."
While Timmermans is all business on the court, his roommates in Keough Hall and teammates don't always know what to think of him.
"I am really happy for Tom because I know how hard he has worked this season," said roommate David Fitzgibbon. "Tom is a hilarious off the court. It's not every day that you get helicopter rides from a 7-foot guy."
While trying not to burst out laughing when asked about Timmermans' personality, Swanagan added, "Tom is Tom. He has a different set of rules than everyone else because he's from another country. He's funny. I can't really say what he is. I like him and I try to help him any way I can."
Although Timmermans has reached new heights on the court, he has not stopped his legendary antics and practical jokes off the court.
"Tom is such a big goofball sometimes," said friend Joe Quaderer. "Tom has not let his success get to his head. You could not ask for a nicer guy to be around."
Timmermans' unselfish attitude and tough demeanor on the court will continue to be an important part of Notre Dame's hopes to make the NCAA tournament.
"I know my role on this team," said Timmermans. "We have plenty of guys who can score. My job is to play hard defense, set screens, and rebound. Our goal is to make the NCAA tournament again. We just have to keep playing hard."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 19, 2002
