There was plenty of chatter at Loyola's Reitz Arena last Thursday before a Baltimore Summer League game.
Players tied their shoes, scarfed down pre-game snacks and talked about NBA free agency before games began on the third night of play in the NCAA-sanctioned basketball league for local college players.
The distractions, however, did not bother Towson forward Braxton Dupree, who shot jumpers by himself away from the off-court diversions. The Calvert Hall graduate made a habit of showing up about a half hour before each of his summer league contests.
After sitting out last year following his transfer from Maryland, Dupree is all business these days.
"This year was just so hectic, so long and so stressed-out," Dupree said. "I spent the whole year working hard, getting to know my teammates and getting to know the system, so now I'm just ready to play."
Dupree, a top performer throughout summer league play, is poised to make a name for himself in the Colonial Athletic Association this season. Tigers coach Pat Kennedy is counting on Dupree to be a leader -- and major contributor -- on the court.
"I think Braxton is going to be a major impact player in the CAA," Kennedy said. "He's going to be one of our go-to guys."
He has also drawn praise from his teammates, one of whom believes the 6-foot-8 junior can push the Tigers to a CAA title this season.
"He's too big, too powerful, and if he works on his game, I think we'll have a chance to win" the CAA title, said Isaiah Philmore, a sophomore forward from John Carroll.
Last season, the Tigers labored to a 10-21 record. But Kennedy likes what he has with Dupree in the lineup and sees the forward as a potentially dominant player in the conference.
"He's very strong, and having coached him last year, I realized he has good hands and good feet," Kennedy said. "So when you take a guy that size with good feet and hands, he can become a very important weapon."
Dupree's year away from game competition gave him a chance to get acquainted with his teammates. So far, fitting in with the Tigers has gone smoothly.
"It's a great fit," Dupree said. "We jell really well together. We all spend time together on and off the court."
Dupree spent quality time battling several teammates on the court during summer league play. Philmore, freshman forward Erique Gumbs, junior point guard Troy Franklin, senior point guard Brian Morris and junior shooting guard RaShawn Polk were among Towson's participants in the league. Dupree said he's excited to be on the same side as Franklin, a Mount Carmel graduate, this fall.
"When I'm playing with [Franklin], it's hard for me to tell" how fast he is, Dupree said. "But when I'm on the other team, I'm watching him fly by."
While the summer league offered a relaxed atmosphere for Dupree to excel, the beginning of Towson's season will undoubtedly put pressure on him to perform. But Dupree doesn't foresee any extra anxiety as a result of his move from the bright lights of the Atlantic Coast Conference to the mid-major level.
"I wouldn't say [there's] any added pressure," Dupree said. "I put pressure on myself because I want to be the best I can. I've been working hard throughout the summer to prepare myself to be the best I can."