By Jerry Ratcliffe
When the ‘Tank’ starts rolling, it’s best to get out of the way.
That’s what Rider’s Broncs found out last weekend when Virginia cruised to an 87-53 win over its latest Rent-A-Victim. The “Tank” is Thijs (Tess) De Ridder, UVA’s 6-foot-8, built-like-a-tank power forward from Belgium.
De Ridder gave Wahoo fans a glimpse of what’s to come when he dominated Rider. He posted a game-high 28 points (10 for 14 from the field, 1 for 2 from the arc), along with 10 rebounds for a double-double in 24 minutes.
Coach Ryan Odom pointed out that De Ridder is growing into that role because in European basketball, De Ridder was not the “go-to-guy,” something he will have to adjust to in college hoops.
De Ridder was very physical, using his size and skill. Rider had no answer for the power forward. He was virtually unstoppable.
Physical might be an understatement in describing De Ridder. Odom, jokingly, or maybe not jokingly, said that the big Belgian was “kind of a bully, really,” in Virginia’s practice sessions. That drew a few chuckles from everyone except De Ridder, who hasn’t exactly been enamored with some of the nicknames he’s been tagged with.
“Yeah, that’s what they say … I’m a big bully,” De Ridder said. “My nickname is a tank. They gave me last year in Spain. I like it, to be honest. It’s a good thing. I mean, sometimes you’ve got to be a bully and an ass on the court.”
De Ridder could have explored the NBA Draft a little more than he did, but scouts likely told his agent that he needed to marinate a bit more in college ball, which is the new proving ground for European players. There has been an influx of them, not only into the ACC, but college basketball in general. Some projected him and UVA European teammate Johann Grunloh as potential second-round draft choices.
“I did a couple of NBA workouts last summer and they always said, ‘Hey, if you go to college, we can compare you with our guys,’” De Ridder explained. “I said, OK, let’s do it. I want to show myself, prove myself. I’m ready for the NBA, and that’s my biggest dream. I chose this path to show myself.”
While De Ridder got a taste of big-time college ball in Virginia’s exhibitions against Vanderbilt and Villanova, the Rider game was the first official game of his collegiate career, a game in which he dominated, something he relished.
Opposing coaches have commented on his physical play, something he makes no apologies for. It’s an advantage he is pleased with.
“Yeah, for sure,” De Ridder said. “I’ve been playing against much older and stronger guys overseas, so I think that helped me a lot [vs. Rider and in the exhibitions]. But for sure, if I want to push myself to the next level, I have to keep doing this.”
Pace of play was a little more controlled in Spain with more experienced, veteran players, compared to American college ball’s energy.
“All the guys here are really young … they’re just running up and down,” De Ridder said. “That is basically the biggest difference. There’s a lot more energy. They are a lot more fit, let’s say.”
Growing up in Belgium, with his size, he always played the five, and along with his coach and his older brother, they helped with his footwork. He can play the five for UVA, but is more suited for the four spot.
One of his focuses moving forward is remaining physical, but without fouling. He had four fouls against Rider, although the last one was admittedly a very questionable call by an inexperienced official (see the “Hootie & JJ” podcast on this site for more behind-the-scenes opinion on that call and more by yours truly and Coach Jeff Jones).
Pace of play and some other facets of the college game aren’t the only things De Ridder is experiencing, including American food.
“It’s hard to adjust to,” De Ridder said. “It’s tough, man. It’s all so greasy. To be honest, I only tried the local places, not really the fast food things because we’re in season. When the season is over, I will try for sure the other things.”
Then, he will really find out what greasy food is like.
Until then, look for The Tank to become a force and a focal point of the Virginia offense. It’s hard to stop a Tank.
