Q/A with UD junior forward Devin Oliver

Devin Oliver

Junior forward from Kalamazoo, Mich.

Nickname: DMO — his initials Devin Michael Oliver

Family — parents Kelvin and Amy, sister Miya

Question: Whose advice do you follow? Your parents or your sister Miya’s?

Answer: Definitely NOT Miya’s. I listen to both my mom and dad. Both my parents played ball at Western Michigan and they love the game, so they’re coming to every game they can. My dad is a little bit harder on me, but he’s like, ‘let him be. He’s off to college, let him go.’ My mother is more the sympathetic side, but she’s real with me as well, she just loves seeing me. No need to second guess what they tell me because they’ve been through it.

Q: Who is your hero?

A: My dad. To me, he’s the perfect dad. He pushed me when I was younger for basketball, but never over the top. We’ve always been able to talk about anything, he’s always been there. He’s been good to my mom, my sister, he’s a good family man.

Q: Any new tattoos?

A: I still just have the six, and told my mom I wouldn’t get any more. I’m just kind of chillin’ right now with them, but we’ll see what happens (laughs).

Q: Who’s your roommate?

A: Matt Derenbecker. Matt’s a good guy. He can be messy at times, but he’s a real good friend and real good teammate. He’s got my back on everything.

Q: What’s the best Christmas present you ever received?

A: This pair of Jordans. I remember my parents put a box under the tree, and it had some shoes in there I didn’t really want. They had taken out the shoes that were originally in the box and said, ‘Sorry, we just couldn’t get to it this year.’ Then they had me go get something out of the closet and the Jordans were in there. It was awesome, it was the best.

Q: What has being a Dayton Flyer allowed you to do?

A: Definitely travel, but I think the interaction with the people in this city is top of the line compared to any other college program in the world. The love and compassion the fans have in tune with us is real big time. I don’t think I’d ever experience that in any other program. The fan support is above and beyond anywhere we go.

Q: What would you like to say to the Flyer Nation?

A: Flyer Nation, we love you. You guys have won us many a game. Keep supporting us in everything we do and we’ll continue to play our butts off for you.

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