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Senior forward emerged as a consistent scorer after making an early-season adjustment to Division I play ... saw his scoring average steadily increase as the season progressed ... finished the year as one of the Dukes' more consistent scorers and rebounders ... is expected to pick up where he left off last season.
As a Junior (2002-03)
Played in 29 of a possible 30 games with 26 starts ... led the team with a 5.5 rebound per game average ... his 61 offensive boards and 34 blocked shots were also a team best ... reached double-digits in the scoring column 14 times ... took about two months to make the adjustment from junior college to life in the Atlantic 10 ... had one double digit outing in his first nine games, before rallying to score in double digits in 13 of DU's last 20 contests ... DU went 7-7 when Palmer scored 10 or more ... Palmer's scoring average stood at 5.2 ppg. on Dec. 22, before he exploded for 35 points and 18 rebounds in earning MVP honors at the late-December FIU New Year's Classic ... posted a double-double (18-10) vs. St. Francis, N.Y. and followed that with 17 points and 8 boards vs. Florida International in the tournament title game ... his lone double-digit outing prior to the FIU Classic (first nine games) was 13 vs. West Virginia ... added 16 more vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore and a career-high 20 (8-of-13 including four dunks) vs. Temple ... had nine double-digit scoring games in Atlantic 10 play ... was the Dukes' second-leading scorer in league action at 10.7 ppg. ... went 7-of-11 for 17 points at home vs. #13 (AP) Xavier and 5-of-7 in scoring 15 at La Salle ... hit 6-of-9 from the field with three dunks in scoring 15 vs. Dayton at home ... shot 38.5 percent (10-of-26) from the foul line in non-conference play ... rallied to convert 66.1 percent (41-of-62) of his free throws in A-10 regular season and post-season tournament action ... led the Dukes in single-game rebounding a team-high 10 times ... also posted a team-high 23 dunks.
Junior College
Kennedy-King College in Chicago, Ill. (head coach Willie Little) ... played one season as a key reserve at NAIA Division II Missouri Valley College (Marshall, Mo.) before enrolling at Kennedy-King College in Chicago ... sat out in 2000-01 before averaging 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for 23-7 Kennedy-King as a sophomore ... played on a KKC squad that produced three other Division I players ... shot over 50 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free throw line in earning second team all-region IV honors in 2001-02 ... scored a career high 36 points vs. Region 4 champion Kankakee Community College as a sophomore.
High School
Marshall High School in Marshall, Mo. (head coach Scott Harrold) ... was an all-conference, all-district and all-state pick as a senior in 1998-99 ... averaged 18.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in his final season ... scored 39 points and pulled down 15 rebounds vs. eventual Class 3A state runner-up Warrensburg ... also set a school record with nine steals vs. Kirksville ... was a two-year starter ... played for district champion teams as a sophomore and junior.
Personal
Was born in Chicago, Ill., where he lived until moving to Marshall, Mo. in the eighth grade ... is the third oldest of seven children ... has five brothers and one sister ... committed to Duquesne in November 2001 ... also considered Illinois-Chicago, Loyola, Ill. and Idaho ... made his only official visit to Duquesne ... communication studies major ... full name is Elijah Bernard-Tae Palmer ... date of birth: 2/20/81.
CAREER STATS FOR ELIJAH PALMER
YEAR G/GS MIN/AVG FG-AT PCT 3M-AT PCT FT-AT PCT REB A TO BK S PTS-AVG 2003 29/26 773/26.7 108-235 .460 12-45 .267 51-88 .580 160-5.5 47 62 34 25 279-9.6
CAREER HIGHS FOR ELIJAH PALMER
Points 20, Temple (Jr.) Rebounds 10, vs. St. Francis, N.Y. (Jr.) Assists 5, Rhode Island (Jr.) Blocks 4, at Maryland (Jr.) Steals 3, two times (Jr.) Minutes 34, George Washington (Jr.)
THE PALMER FILE
Nickname (if any): Tae-Tae
The three words that best describe me are: Loyal, versatile, funny
Who would you choose to play the starring role in a movie about your life?: Bernie Mac
If I was picking a starting five for my Dream Team, I'd choose: Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Nee
Other than basketball, the sport I'd like to try is: Baseball
If you were forced to give up all your possessions but one, what would you keep?: My cell phone
My favorite basketball player of all time is: Michael Jordan
My first impression of Coach Nee was: He's hilarious but down to earth
The player on this team most likely to become a coach is: Andrew Gans
The teammate that makes me laugh hardest is: Bryant McAllister
The best video game player on the team is: Elijah (of course)
The one thing that makes Duquesne unique is: It is a Catholic University
The thing I like most about Pittsburgh is: There is no sales tax when I go shopping for clothes
My favorite spot on campus is: My dorm
If I could change one thing about the game of basketball I would: Get rid of the zone defense
The biggest misconception about being a student-athlete is: Stereotyping
When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended I was: Michael Jordan
Before every basketball game I: Take a nap and listen to "The L.O.X." CD
One person (living or dead) I'd love to meet is: Tracy McGrady
I wear jersey #4 because: Chris Webber wore it when he was at Michigan
My favorite pre-game meal is: Anything besides chicken
If I had to cook all my own meals, I'd probably survive on: Hamburger Helper
If I could be a super hero, I'd be: Blank Man
The websites I visit most often are: espn.com and hotmail.com
My favorite sports movie (other than "Hoosiers") is: "Blue Chips"
The best gift I ever received was: A "Prince" CD from my teammate Tyler Bluemling for Christmas
The best advice I was ever given was: "You get out of basketball what you put into it"
Who gave you that advice: My JC coach Willie Little (RIP)
After my DU career is over, I'd like to be remembered as: A great player who helped turn DU basketball around
