Henry Domercant walked through the halls of Lantz Arena his freshman year in 2000, envisioning the collegiate career he would one day reflect on decades later.

Domercant said he imagined individual and team success as much as any other player.

He said he strived to be the best that he could as a collegiate athlete, but that may have more than he could ever have dreamed.

Thirteen years later, Domercant took center stage in Lantz Arena as 2,455 people applauded him for nearly five straight minutes as his No. 44 jersey was being retired by Eastern’s men’s basketball program.

“This was a great opportunity for us to honor two individuals who helped shape Eastern Illinois basketball,” Athletic Director Barbara Burke said during the ceremony. “We are excited to retire Henry Domercant’s number and are glad that he is able to be with us for this event.”

An elated Domercant stood in the middle of the Panther logo on the court with his two children and his wife, Alexandra, also an Eastern graduate.

Praise showered down from the rafters as a spotlight shined on the Ohio Valley Conference’s All-Time leading scorer’s No. 44 jersey banner.

Domercant, who holds 15 single season and career scoring records at Eastern, was joined by his former coach Rick Samuels and several former teammates, something that he said meant more to him than anything.

“It’s a great moment,” Domercant said. “Especially to have my former coach and teammates here, they are the guys that are responsible for helping me achieve the success I’ve had. I am so grateful for everything tonight.”

Domercant was a member of the 2001 NCAA Tournament team that lost as a No. 15 seed to a No. 2 seed Arizona 101-76 in the first round — an Arizona team that went on to lose to Duke in the National Championship game.

Domercant said his greatest memory at Eastern came when the Panthers qualified for that 2001 NCAA Tournament.

“We pulled up and all the fans were waiting here in the gym,” he said. “There was an impromptu pep rally. That was a great feeling. They supported us all year, and for us to do something special like that was because of them.”

But the NCAA’s 26th all-time scorer said the retiring of his jersey ranks above all the others, even his 2002 OVC Player of the Year Award.

Domercant is one of eight former Eastern athletes to have their jersey retired by their respective program.

He joins the late Kevin Duckworth (1983-86) as the only other player in Eastern men’s basketball history to have his jersey retired. Duckworth’s jersey was retired in 1993.

Domercant said it was an honor for him to be in the same conversation as Duckworth.

“I haven’t found the right words yet, but being back here, it is just now hitting me,” he said. “This club is so elite, and for people to associate me with those (Duckworth) is truly amazing.”

Domercant currently plays for the team Galatasaray in Turkey, but an ACL tear has caused him to sit out the remainder of the season.

Seven weeks since having surgery, Domercant said he will be fully healed in eight months after his rehabilitation process.

As an oversized grin took over Domercant’s face, he said he has enjoyed the time off, seeing as he has gotten to spend it with his family.

He said he could not wait until the day comes that he is able to share this memory with his daughter, Gabrielle, 3, and his 4-month-old son Canon — “I figure he is going to be a shooter,” Domercant said.

Just like his father.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcatezone@eiu.edu.

Henry Domercant walked through the halls of Lantz Arena his freshman year in 2000, envisioning the collegiate career he would one day reflect on decades later.

(more…)