Decision on medical redshirt looms for Duquesne guard Jake DiMichele

Jake DiMichele’s unwavering faith in God has carried him through the challenges of a tough childhood while growing up in the gritty Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rocks.

It’s helped him during a championship-caliber high school experience in the classroom and on the basketball court at nearby Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

DiMichele, winner of the 2022 WPIAL James Collins Scholar/Athlete Award, scored 2,642 career points at OLSH while twice earning Pennsylvania Class 2A Player of the Year honors and leading the Chargers to four WPIAL Class 2A championships and two PIAA titles.

Now at Duquesne, his sophomore season has been disrupted by injuries. First it was plantar fasciitis, then a stress fracture.

“My faith,” said DiMichele, who played a key role last season in the Dukes’ long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament, “I lean on that a ton.”

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard’s faith is being tested again. To redshirt or not?

It is a question on DiMichele’s mind as the season races toward the stretch run, with Duquesne (9-10, 4-2) hoping to successfully defend its Atlantic 10 title, despite a humbling 20-point loss at home to Dayton on Tuesday.

After DiMichele’s foot was re-examined Wednesday, the timetable for his possible return to the team remained uncertain.

The window of opportunity, however, appears to be closing.

“We have yet to have that final discussion on what’s the outlook, what’s the timetable?” Duquesne coach Dru Joyce III told Tim Benz of TribLive on ‘The Duquesne University Basketball Show’ on Fox Sports Pittsburgh AM-970. “Jake is still going through his treatment, as he tries day to day to get more healthy.”

DiMichele’s foot, which first was affected by plantar fasciitis, a painful tendon affliction, continued in a boot on Thursday as Duquesne prepared for a trip to Fordham on Sunday.

“It wasn’t the doctor’s appointment that I think Jake hoped for. It was more of his normal routine with shockwave therapy,” Joyce said. “I don’t think Jake knew and understood what that appointment was.”

DiMichele, who was averaging 10.9 points in just seven games this season before the pain in his foot became unbearable, is unwavering in his desire to return to the Dukes lineup.

“I’m trying to do everything I can, whatever that is, “ he said. “I know God put me at Duquesne for a reason. At the end of the day, I’ve been through a lot harder in my life. I’ve been through different struggles in my life. I’ve been through things harder than this. I know this is just another bump in the road and that God’s going to come through.

“I pray every night that He gives me the strength to keep going and keep moving forward with a positive attitude.”