FRANKLINVILLE, NJ – Delsea Regional High School will retire former basketball player Demetrius Poles' number 44 on Friday, Dec. 20 at a ceremony between the girls and boys basketball games at 5:30 and 7 p.m. respectively.
 
This marks the first time in Delsea history that an athlete's number has been retired.  His senior year, Poles led Delsea to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association State Group II Championship and was the South Jersey Player of the Year.
 
"I am truly overwhelmed by this recognition," stated Poles.  "Never in my wildest dreams that I would think that I would get my jersey retired and at the same time be the first Delsea athlete to do so.  I appreciate those at Delsea throughout my middle school and high school years who helped me get to the next level and propelled me to fulfill my dreams.  Go Big Red!"
 
A four-year letter winner, he was the Crusaders' leader in scoring and rebounding three times. Poles contributed to Delsea's back-to-back Tri-County Championships and a South Jersey Group II and State Championship. He competed at the prestigious Nike Camp, which is the most publicized and recognized summer camp for the top high school prospects.
 
Poles received a full scholarship to St. Joseph's University and was a member of the Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team in his rookie season.  He later transferred to Rowan University and was the starting center for the 1996 NCAA Division III Championship Team.  He led the squad with 6.7 rebounds per game.
 
This season, Poles was named Rowan's interim head coach for the women's basketball team. Prior, he was the assistant coach for three seasons.  Poles also served as an assistant coach for the men's team for four years. 
 
He returned to the University after an international professional coaching and playing career.  Poles was the head coach for Brahe Basket in Sweden from 2009-2013.  In 2012-13, the team had a 19-1 record, was first in the South Division and finished second in the Swedish finals.  He coached Kvarnby Basket from 2003-2008.  The team came in second in the South Division in 2005-2006 and had a 16-4 record. 
 
From 2008-2009, he was the head coach for Nassjo Basket.  His 18-2 squad took first in the South Division and was second in the Sweden finals.  Poles coached the Swedish National Team (Boys U18) from 2012-2013.  He was selected the 2012-13 Eurobasket.com Coach of the Year.
 
In addition, Poles coached at the Reebok/Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy from 2004-12. In that span, he instructed 55 players who participated in the 2012 London Summer Olympics and 32 players who went on to play in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.  While coaching in the Eurocamp, he had 81 players that were drafted by the NBA.
 
His playing career included stints in Lebanon, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Poland, Qatar, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Russia, Syria, Jordan and Argentina. 
 
For more information about the event, contact Delsea boys basketball coach Tom Freeman at tfreeman@delsearegional.us or Delsea girls basketball coach Rob Briles at rbriles@delsearegional.us.