AKRON, Ohio — Dru Joyce III has always looked comfortable with a ball in his hands.
We saw that on full display 17 years ago at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, when he was throwing alley-oops to LeBron James. After setting the assists record at the University of Akron, Joyce's comfort with the rock and passion for the game led to a 12-year playing career overseas, where he also set the assists record in Germany's top league.
"I'm passionate about basketball," Joyce said. "I want things to go as well as they possibly can."
So maybe the next step for the 35 year old shouldn't come as a surprise.
Joyce has returned to Northeast Ohio to join Dennis Gates' bench as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Cleveland State.
"I'm really enjoying this experience," Joyce said. "This is something that I wanted to do. My heart was in coaching, so I feel comfortable where I'm at."
Gates, who is in the midst of his rookie season as a head coach, has welcomed Joyce's professional experience to his staff.
"To be able to have a guy on staff like Dru Joyce III, it gives our guys an extra incentive to continue to get better," Gates said.
The new job has also given Joyce an extra incentive to pay forward the years of coaching he received.
"I think back of how I was and the coaches that helped me get through (my career) and I really appreciate those coaches for what they did for me," Joyce said. "I want to be involved in a kid's life in that manner."
Just like his dad and Ohio high school coaching legend, Dru Joyce II.
"I'm so, so proud," the elder Joyce said. "Dru's that son that I always felt would be the coach. To see him doing it, you know, I'm excited."
Gates is excited, too, by the younger Joyce's ability to learn quickly in his new role.
"Coach Joyce has tackled everything that's been thrown his way," Gates said. "There's not a day that he's not watching film and learning."
But as comfortable as Joyce appears in his transition from the court to the bench, he's not satisfied.
"I would like to be a head coach of a Division I college men's program," he said.
The Vikings' current head coach thinks it's only a matter of time before his assistant gets a shot.
"He'll be a head coach," Gates said with confidence.
The newest chapter of Joyce III's basketball life is just beginning.