Curtis finding confidence, consistency for Chanticleers in breakout season

The emergence of junior forward Tristian Curtis as a starter and steady frontcourt contributor has been a nice boost for the Coastal Carolina men’s basketball team in recent weeks and has no doubt been a key factor in the Chanticleers’ strong start to conference play.

And quite frankly, it’s been something of a surprise after Curtis struggled through his first two collegiate seasons, averaging 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds over two years while seeing his minutes actually decrease as a sophomore.

Chants coach Cliff Ellis won’t frame it that way, but Curtis admits even he had his doubts and wondered at times if he would be better off giving up basketball and returning home to The Bahamas.

Not anymore, though.

He’s made eight consecutive starts and looks to be settling in while averaging 9.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in the last three games, providing the Chants (11-3, 2-0 Big South) with an answer to their only real question entering the season as they looked to replace two-year starting center El Hadji Ndieguene.