Seton Hall's Angel Delgado Set the BIG EAST Rebound Record at DePaul (1/28/18).
Seton Hall's Delgado Becomes New Chairman Of The BIG EAST Boards
By SEAN BRENNAN
Special to BIGEAST.com
He’s been something of a magnet for loose balls for almost four full years. Now Angel Delgado is the greatest rebounder to ever suit up in the BIG EAST.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said Delgado, Seton Hall’s 6-10, 245-pound senior. “Being part of the record books in the best conference in the country is unbelievable.”
History found Delgado quickly in the Pirates’ game at DePaul Sunday. When Delgado snatched his second rebound of the game, early in The Hall’s 86-70 victory over the Blue Demons, the previous record of 701 career caroms, set by Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman and which lasted for 28 years, was no longer the gold standard. Delgado finished the game with 19 rebounds to go along with his 10 points as he posted his 15th double-double of the season.
Delgado was happy he didn’t have to wait long to make history.
“I just wanted to get it over with, to get it out of my mind so I could focus on winning the game,” Delgado said. “It was a special time when I grabbed that rebound. I was really happy and I know my family was very happy. Stuff like that you really got to enjoy.”
There was a time last spring nobody - not even Delgado - was sure he would return to South Orange for his senior season. But while he weighed the the pros and cons of remaining with the Pirates, the one thing Delgado never thought about was breaking this record. Mostly because he didn’t know about it.
“Believe it or not I didn’t even think about it,” Delgado said. “I didn’t know about it. I only learned about it about three games before (the DePaul game). I was told I was like 21 rebounds away, that’s how I found out. I got excited and really happy and I wanted to get it real fast. They kept it pretty quiet from me. (Seton Hall SID) Tom (Chen) told me and Coach (Kevin) Willard told me and that’s when I said I definitely got to get that (record). I want to enjoy that one.”
Coleman starred for the Orange from 1986-90, setting the previous record four years before Delgado was even born. But Delgado knew of Coleman’s legacy and even received a congratulatory video from the former Syracuse star.
“I heard about him a lot,” Delgado said. “I got really excited when he sent me a video saying a lot of good stuff. I was really happy about that. I thought that was great that a great legend would talk about me.”
Delgado, who led the nation in rebounding last year, said with a game still to be won against DePaul, the enormity of his achievement didn’t sink in until after the final horn.
“After the game I called my family and people called me and I was just so happy,” Delgado said. “That’s when I started enjoying the moment. I called my mom, I called my dad, I called my uncle, my girlfriend called me. It was very exciting.”
Delgado was reminded that a lot of superb big men have called the BIG EAST home at one time or another. There was Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning of Georgetown, Michael Smith of Providence, Luke Harangody of Notre Dame, Emeka Okafor of UConn and Zendon Hamilton of St. John’s to name but a few. Now his name will be forever linked with the greatest the conference has had to offer. And his name will be right at the top from now on.
“I think that’s a blessing. As soon as I got the record I just thanked God for every game I played,” Delgado said. “When you’re in the conversation with guys in the Hall of Fame, that means you’ve been doing the right thing. I worked really hard to be with those guys and now it’s a blessing. It’s something I’ll enjoy my whole life and my family will, too.”
With 719 total rebounds now, and with 10 regular-season games remaining for the Pirates before the BIG EAST Tournament and the NCAAs, there is ample time for Delgado to pad his totals and make it a Herculean effort for someone to one day catch him. And Delgado has already thought about that.
“Yeah I’m going to try and make it to 1,000 (rebounds),” Delgado said laughing. “I’ll just try and get as many as I can so that it would take someone a lot or years (to catch him).”
With 65 double-doubles in his illustrious career - and counting - does Delgado ever surprise even himself with what he has accomplished?
“Believe it or not I never surprise myself,” Delgado said. “I know what I can do and what kind of player I am. I worked hard for this, I put a lot of time in at the gym. I wanted to become a player people will remember, not just at Seton Hall but in the BIG EAST, too. I put the work in and I know I can do even better. When I can grab 21 or 22 (rebounds), that’s what pushes me everyday.”
There have been eight jerseys retired in Seton Hall’s history and Delgado may one day be the ninth. If it were to ever happen, it would be the perfect ending to a spectacular career for one of the greatest big men in BIG EAST history.
“That would be one of the best things that could happen in my life because I’d be part of this unbelievable school that I’m so happy to be part of,” Delgado said. “Coming to this school was the best decision of my life. If one day my number is retired it would be a great thing for me and my family. I just never thought I’d be in this position.”