Derrick Gervin snags an offensive rebound in a game against Southwest Texas State on February 9, 1985, at the Convocation Center. UTSA would go on to win the game 83–76. A featured article about Gervin was published in the Dallas Times Herald and Los Angeles Times the following morning.
On the Ball
Roadrunner basketball’s Derrick Gervin was known as UTSA’s “first athletics superstar”
[ This article was originally published in Sombrilla Magazine, Spring 2002 ]
From 1982 to 1985, forward Derrick Gervin set many university records that would remain unbroken for years. As a student athlete Gervin scored 1,691 career points. In his sophomore year he scored an average of 23.2 points per game and was ranked the second-highest sophomore scorer in the country.
Though several of Gervin’s records fell this year [2002], many still stand, including most points per season (718); most points by halftime (31); most field goals per game (22), season (272), and career (651); and highest rebound average in a season (9.6), and career (8.5).
The athletics program at UTSA was just a year old in 1982. With Gervin playing, the program took off. By 1985 UTSA basketball had received statewide recognition and a lot of national exposure.
The Philadelphia 76ers picked Gervin at the end of his junior year in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA draft, but he was cut at the end of camp. Though he never played for Philadelphia, Gervin played for the New Jersey Nets from 1989 to 1991 and went on to establish a long-running career with a host of teams worldwide (Italy, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Argentina, Venezuela, Philippines, and Mexico). Closer to home, he played for the Continental Basketball League and the ABA2000.
Today, Gervin says he has retired and has plans to finish his undergraduate degree here at UTSA. He works at the George Gervin Youth Center in San Antonio teaching job preparation skills to young adults.
Called UTSA’s first athletics superstar, Derrick Gervin prepares for a pass in play for the Roadrunners.
Gervin launches for a shot in play against Lamar University.
The Roadrunners’ Gervin takes a shot against Lamar.
Gervin looks for a pass from a fellow Roadrunner.
Gervin takes the line for a free throw.
A publicity shot of Derrick Gervin. His team number, 30, was later retired by UTSA, and a Gervin jersey hangs in the Convocation Center.
While still in high school Derrick Gervin poses for a photo with his brother, San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin.
Another Roadrunner publicity shot of Gervin.
Gervin shoots a scoring hoop in a game against Rice on December 10, 1984, in his junior year. An All-America candidate that season, he was the nation’s ninth leading scorer.