“D.J. is what I describe as a ‘Philly guard.’ He’s tough, gritty and loves to play! He is a weapon and will open up the floor for everyone. He also brings a toughness that we haven’t seen in a while. He’s the kind of guy you want to go into battle with.” – Patrick Chambers
2011-12 • REDSHIRT
HIGH SCHOOL
A redshirt season under NCAA transfer guidelines, Newbill earned the team’s Unsung Hero Award due to his terrific attitude, work ethic and outstanding play in practice…injured his left shoulder during the first week of practice and was out of action for nearly two months as he rehabilitated…returned to full participation in practice in January and regularly excelled, playing aggressive defense, rebounding and showing the ability to knock down tough jump shots and score in traffic…transferred to Penn State from Southern Mississippi in August.
Newbill was a standout at Strawberry Mansion High in Philadelphia before playing his freshman season at Southern Mississippi in 2010-11…helped a Mansion team, led by coach Stan Laws, to the 2010 PIAA state championship game at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center and was named the Pennsylvania Class AA Player-of-the-Year after posting 24.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game in his senior season…a first-team all-state selection by the Philadelphia Daily News…a McDonald’s All-America candidate…named the Public League Player-of-the-Year and first -team all-city and All-Public League…Mansion posted a 28-2 record in his senior campaign and reached the state title game for the second time in three years…scored 15 points in the 2010 championship game…a two-year letterman for the Knights…senior campaign was highlighted by a school-record 64-point performance in a victory over Saul…went 23-of-30 from the field and 16-of-17 at the foul line to post the sixthhighest point total in Philadelphia Public League history…averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals as a junior and was named second-team all-state and second-team All-Public League.
2010-11 • FRESHMAN • SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Newbill ranked third on the Golden Eagle team posting 9.2 ppg and second with 6.2 rpg for a veteran squad that posted a 22-10 mark… started all 32 contests, playing 30.5 minutes per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor to earn Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors…recorded six double-doubles and led Southern Miss in rebounding 11 times on the season, including a season high 16 boards to go with 15 points in a 64-51 win at UTEP in midFebruary…led the team in scoring once, posting 14 points in a 67-61 loss at Memphis, and posted 15 double-digit scoring outings, including a season-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and nine boards in an 86-69 win over UCF…his 126 trips to the free throw line ranked second on the team and fifth among freshmen in the NCAA.
PERSONAL The son of Tawanda Roach...his mother passed away on September 15, 2012 after a short battle with cancer...born May 22, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa....full name is Devonte Jerrell Newbill...has two brothers, Dominic and Dante, and a sister, Diamond...Grandmother is Mattie Roach.
OFF THE COURT FAVORITES: Athlete: LeBron James Food: Chicken TV Show: Martin & Fresh Prince Actor: Martin Lawrence Movie: Bad Boys 2
Music Group: Roc Nation If I could spend one day with anyone in history: Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr. Person I most admire: My mother 10 Years from now: Enjoying retirement on somebody’s beach with my wife.
PENN STATE BASKETBALL ˜ 63