By OVELL PATTERSON, Student Reporter
Bubba Furlong, a senior center for the Northwestern basketball team, transferred to Alva after a stint at another university and tragic family news.
In the 2020 – 2021 season, Furlong was in the top three in the nation and led the Great American Conference in blocks with 2.07 blocks per game. Not only that, but he was also in the top three in the conference in many other statistics.
Furlong is from Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Before coming to Northwestern, Furlong played for the Bearkats of Sam Houston State University.
Sam Houston State is a member of the Southland Conference within the Division I level of the NCAA.
Furlong became a conference champion with the Bearkats after winning 16 of the 18 regular season conference games they played during the 2018 – 2019 season. Over three years, Furlong scored 168 points and grabbed 130 rebounds for Sam Houston State.
Before coming to Northwestern, Furlong connected with a childhood friend. Brian Holiday, a defensive lineman for Northwestern’s football team, grew up with Furlong.
When it came to visiting Alva, Furlong said he and his father liked the environment. He said Northwestern was going to be the place he would finish out his athletic and academic careers.
In the July before his first semester at Northwestern, Furlong’s father passed away because of cancer.
“My Pops was my best friend and my hero,” Furlong said. “I lost him on July 27, 2020, to cancer. My mom and dad came to every game for as long as I can remember. After I lost my dad, my whole mindset on life and basketball changed.”
Holiday said Furlong’s father was motivational to him.
“His Pops told me before he lost his fight to cancer, to make sure that Bubba and myself graduate college,” Holiday said.
Furlong’s transfer meant he got to move in and live with his childhood friend, Holiday. The transfer also meant he got to play for the Rangers under Coach Vinay Patel’s guidance.
Although the Rangers came up short on the season, Furlong was a statistical leader in not only the Great American Conference, but also was in the top three in blocked shots per game of all athletes in the Division II level of the NCAA, as of press time.
Furlong said he found the motivation to work hard on and off the court because he knew his father was watching him.
“I was not aware of the season that I had,” Furlong said. “My family and friends brought it to my attention and were the first to point out the things I was achieving on the court. It was all for my Pops and from the new mindset I brought to the court this year.”
Furlong said he expects to be better next year after playing a year in Division II under Patel.
“Coach V has given me the opportunity I was not given at Sam Houston State University, which I am very thankful and blessed for,” Furlong said. “I plan to return to Northwestern for my final season and will be looking to win a ring and take Northwestern to the tournament.”
Furlong also averaged 8.7 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. He said his goal is to get more rebounds next year and have an average that doubles his average this year.
Holiday said he believes Furlong’s next season with the Rangers will be Furlong’s strongest year.
“He has played against it all,” Holiday said. “Players who went off to the NBA, overseas teams, and G-leagues. He has the drive to be the best at everything, so I know this offseason, he will work to have the best season he has ever had for his final year of college basketball.”
“Bubba had a good season all around, but I know he will be even ten times more dominate next year,” Patel said. “He brings so much drive and passion to the court. He is also very aggressive on the court and will get the job done one way or another.
“He had some awful news hit him right before this school year started, so I honestly was not sure how well his season to come. He showed how tough he was and only worked harder to make his dad proud.
“He goes hard every day in practice and puts in the extra time, which is why he led the nation in blocks.”