Courtesy of Eric Zedalis, GBC SID

AL FARA, PALESTINE - The Al Fara Farrah basketball team of Palestine has announced the addition of former Goldey-Beacom College standout Derek Savage to their roster for the upcoming season. Savage, who is the Lightning's all-time leader in points (1333), rebounds (772) and assists (293), played at GBC from 2004-2008 under head coach Chuck Hammond.

"He is a great kid, and I am so excited for him," Hammond said. "It couldn't happen to a better guy. He is a testament that hard work pays off."

Since graduating at GBC in May 2008, Savage has attended numerous camps and tryouts. This past March he latched on with the semi-professional Manchester (N.H.) Millrats. Savage appeared in three games and recorded 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per-contest.

Then on May 27 (a Thursday), he received an e-mail from an agent he has been working with for a little over a year saying that there was a Middle East team that had seen game tape of him and were interested in the 6-4, 195 lb. forward's services. The only catch was that they needed an answer within the next two days.

"It was a bitter-sweet moment, because I had no doubt that I wanted to play, but I've received a lot of false promises over the last couple of years, and it also meant I wouldn't have much time for my family," Savage said.

"So, I talked to my family and got as much information from the agent as possible, and everything seemed legitimate. I received the e-mail on a Thursday, signed and sent it back on a Saturday and was on a flight by Monday night - it all happened that fast."

Savage, a Lincoln, Del. native from Cape Henlopen High School, said he feels well-equipped to handle the challenges of being an overseas basketball player because of Hammond's guidance and support while at Goldey-Beacom and since graduating.

"The experience I received playing under Coach Hammond and the coaching staff at Goldey-Beacom is a very vital part of me being where I am today. They gave me a chance early on in my career to prove myself as a player," the three-year Lightning captain said. "Coach never held me back and always encouraged me to improve myself on and off the court.

"Once my playing career [at GBC] was done, there might not have been anyone more supportive of me chasing my dream than Coach Hammond. He's done everything he can to assist and support me from day one, and I can't let him know how much I appreciate it."