Attention is nothing new for Matt Derenbecker.
The charismatic LSU freshman forward was a local hero for Metairie Park Country Day School in Metairie, La.
Derenbecker soaked up the limelight as the star of the Cajuns, securing a state championship in 2009 while teaming up with then-Country Day senior and current LSU sophomore forward Eddie Ludwig.
“Everywhere we went people knew who we were because Country Day was an elite program, and we were the two elite players on the team,” Derenbecker said.
Derenbecker steered his team to a title-game appearance his senior season without Ludwig and eclipsed the 3,000-point pinnacle for his career.
“The attention just got magnified when Eddie went to LSU,” said Derenbecker, who was a two-time Louisiana Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. “I was the guy everyone was looking up to.”
But Derenbecker was forced to take a back seat upon his arrival in Baton Rouge for summer practices, going from the face of a program to just another face among the masses.
“I didn’t know this summer when to speak up or when to stay quiet,” Derenbecker said. “That kind of hurt my game.”
The first-year player struggled to find his comfort zone in LSU’s offense during the beginning of the season. He came off the bench for every non-conference game, averaging only 4.7 points through the first 15 games.
“He was shocked at the speed of the game,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson. “It was an adjustment he had to make.”
Derenbecker responded in a big way after freshman guard Ralston Turner suffered a stress reaction in his foot, which caused Turner to miss the first five Southeastern Conference contests.
Derenbecker took advantage of the opportunity, notching five double-digit performances in the team’s first six conference games.
The 6-foot-7-inch guard impressed Johnson, and he remained in the starting lineup after Turner’s return. He is currently second on the team, trailing only Turner, with 9.5 points per game after Jan. 8.
And Derenbecker has once again become a media darling. The local product has been requested at nearly every media opportunity since his role increased through SEC play.
“I don’t think anyone doesn’t like [the media attention],” Ludwig said. “He hasn’t complained to me about it.”
The charming freshman has become the closest thing LSU has to a team spokesman.
When asked about Derenbecker being the face of the team, Johnson was quick to point out the team-first nature of this season’s squad without any seniors.
“Last time I looked at the media guide there [were] 12 guys on it,” Johnson said. “Matt’s not shy, and he doesn’t lack confidence.”
LSU’s 2010-11 media guide features a team huddle, only showing the backs of the players.
But there is one player’s name who can be clearly made out — Derenbecker.
“I’ve been jealous of him,” joked Matt’s father, John Derenbecker. “He has a much better presence and personality than I’ve had in my limited time on TV.”
John also starred on the Country Day basketball team and suited up for Vanderbilt in the early 1980s.
“Matt’s always had a strong, outgoing personality,” John said. “He’s never met a stranger.”
 
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
—-
Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]