Nate Clover cared only about winning while deciding where to play college basketball.
It’s what attracted the Port Arthur native to Oral Roberts, a Division I program located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“The coaching staff and the players, all they had on their mind was winning,” Clover said while describing his first impression of Oral Roberts during the recruiting process last year. “There were no distractions for anything other than winning, and that’s how I wanted to be.”
However, not even Clover could have imagined just how much winning Oral Roberts would do this year. The Golden Eagles took the Summit League title earlier this month, and are now in the midst of a Cinderella story in the NCAA tournament.
Back-to-back upsets over Ohio State and Florida respectively have 15th-seeded Oral Roberts in the Sweet 16 for only the second time in school history. Clover and the Golden Eagles will try to continue that run Saturday when they face No. 3 Arkansas at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Although he’s sidelined with a nagging foot injury, Clover is relishing the rare NCAA tournament experience while still finding different ways to contribute for the Golden Eagles.
“Being here now with Oral Roberts in the NCAA tournament, I feel like I made a good decision with colleges,” said Clover, a 6-foot-8 center. “I’m just thankful to be in the position I am right now.”
Confined inside the NCAA’s “bubble” in Indianapolis, Clover’s days are scheduled almost down to the minute. Between practices, film sessions, meals and daily COVID-19 tests, there’s no trouble staying busy.
Unfortunately for Clover, rehab is part of that schedule, too. He hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 28 after suffering an injury to his right foot.
During Oral Roberts’ postseason run, Clover has been forced to watch from the sideline in a protective boot. Even so, Clover has taken it upon himself to stay engaged and help his teammates however possible.
“I just try to encourage my teammates and let them know what they’re doing right and wrong,” he said. “I can see certain things from the bench that can be helpful … calling out screens, letting them know where the other team’s shooters are, things like that.”
A Port Arthur Memorial graduate, Clover’s time with the Titans was filled with winning, too. As a sophomore in 2018, he helped Memorial win its first state championship, beating Northwest in the Class 5A title game.
During his senior year at Memorial, the towering center was named as a McDonald’s All-American nominee along with his teammate Kenneth Lofton Jr., who had a breakout freshman season at Louisiana Tech.
“They went from quiet guys to guys who actually speak out and lead some of the other players,” Port Arthur Memorial head coach Alden Lewis said of his former player’s development.
Clover now has more jewelry to go along with his state championship ring after Oral Roberts won the Summit League championship. The Golden Eagles look to extend their stay in the NCAA tournament Saturday during the Sweet 16 game against Arkansas. Tipoff is set for 6:25 CST.
For Clover, the feeling of an upset is unmatched.
“Every time we win a game, that’s my favorite part of the tournament,” Clover said. “So hopefully we can keep that going.”
mfaye@beaumontenterprise.com
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