Durango High School student-athlete Orion Clay had plenty of options to continue his education, but it was the game he loved that won over when the final decision was made.
The recent DHS graduate announced Thursday that he will head to Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, California, next year to continue his education and, more importantly for now, his basketball career.
“It feels great to get it done, and I’m so excited to have an opportunity to keep playing,” Clay said. “I feel lucky to have had coach (Alan) Batiste and Dalon Parker to have worked with me and help me develop over the years. Obviously, I owe a lot to my teammates also.”
The versatile lefty led the Demons with 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. He was named to the 4A/5A Southwestern League’s First Team and was also given an Honorable Mention for All-State in Class 4A of the Colorado High School Activities Association.
The DHS boys finished with a 17-8 overall record and lost in the second round of the CHSAA state tournament to the eventual champion Pueblo West.
Clay will most likely play off guard or small forward at the next level, but it remains to be seen just how big he’s going to get. He’s grown over an inch since the basketball season ended, and the basketball skill set is starting to catch up to his freakish raw talent.
Clay provided one of the most memorable plays of Durango’s season when he threw down a monster two-handed dunk over a Piedra Vista player that garnered statewide attention.
“Orion is the kind of kid you always want in your program as a coach, and he’s come a long way,” Durango head coach Alan Batiste said. “It’s crazy watching him sign because I remember when he was a scrawny C-team kid who just loved the game of basketball. Now, he’s just exploded into an incredible athlete, and he hasn’t even blossomed yet. He has a great upside.”
When it’s all said and done on the basketball court for Clay, he has an upside off the court, too.
As an honor student with a 4.0 grade-point average, the senior had plenty of academic opportunities. However, the desire to play the game he loves was something he couldn’t refuse, and being able to knock out some general education requirements in the meantime makes Bakersfield a great fit.
Clay was accepted to Colorado School of Mines, one of the top engineering schools in the region. But, when the Orediggers told him basketball wouldn’t be an option, he kept looking.
“I’m hoping to get a lot of basic school stuff out of the way and put myself in a good spot to transfer to a good engineering school,” Clay said. “I’m going to keep working hard and hopefully be able to keep playing basketball, too.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
