Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan grabs a basketall net while being interviewed on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Alone in Santa Clara's practice gym, Thierry Darlan reaches up and grabs onto the bottom of the net with two left fingers. He crosses his left leg over the right and stands with his right hand on his hip, looking comfortable and beaming as he ponders all he has endured to reach this very place.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan walks toward the practice gym while being interviewed at the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan holds a basketall while being interviewed on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan, left, greets teammate Jake Ensminger while walking toward study hall during an interview at the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan walks toward the practice gym while being interviewed at the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan grabs a basketall net while being interviewed on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan, left, greets teammate Jake Ensminger while walking toward study hall during an interview at the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.
Santa Clara basketball player Thierry Darlan holds a basketall while being interviewed on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 13.