Bonnies Baseline: Betting on Himself

Sometimes moving forward means taking a step back.

After graduating from high school in 2024, Taj Au-Duke had to make a long journey to start his college basketball career. 

He ended up starting his collegiate career nearly 2,600 miles away from his hometown of Toronto when he arrived at Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. The move presented a challenge, but it also gave Au-Duke a new sense of focus. 

“[The move] was a lot but something I needed,” Au-Duke said. “It was an eye-opener being away from home, but it helped me gauge my focus and where my mind should be. It helped me for my last two stops. It helped me focus on the right things like school, basketball, and time management.”

As a freshman, Au-Duke had limited opportunities off the bench, averaging just over eight minutes per game for Pepperdine.

After one season in California, Au-Duke took a gamble on himself and entered the transfer portal, where he committed to Indian Hills Community College, a junior college in Iowa. 

“I wasn’t concerned about not getting back to Division I,” Au-Duke said. “I knew after all the work I put in; I just put a bet on myself and needed to play. I believe I wouldn’t have the right role or opportunity at another Division I because I didn’t show as much as I could’ve or should’ve at Pepperdine. By going to Indian Hills, I could make an immediate impact and make the jump back up.”

During his time with the Warriors, Au-Duke’s role drastically changed. He averaged 27.2 minutes and 12.8 points per game while scoring in double figures in 26 of 33 games. His 5.1 assists per game led the Warriors, and his season earned him NJCAA First Team All-American honors. 

Au-Duke says he found himself again during his time with Indian Hills.

“For me it was getting my feet wet,” Au-Duke said. “Getting a big role, getting to play in college rules, and in front of big crowds was what I needed. At Pepperdine I was given limited minutes, and I kind of forgot how to play. At Indian Hills, I found myself again, and I got my feet wet and was ready for my next stop.”

The guard’s next stop marked a full-circle moment with the Bonnies. Growing up, Au-Duke was familiar with St. Bonaventure through his mentor, former Bonnies forward Vidal Massiah, who coached Au-Duke at CALI Prep in Pickering, Ontario.

“Vidal is like my uncle, and I have known him since I was seven,” Au-Duke said. “He’s mentored me the whole time. I knew of St. Bonaventure and watched his film. His jersey is also hung up in our gym.”

Massiah, who played in 115 games during his Bona career from 1998-2002, also helped play a role in Au-Duke’s recruiting process to Bonaventure. 

“Coach Mac (had) recently got the job, and it happened quickly,” Au-Duke said. “Coach Clive [Bentick] recruited me to Monmouth when he was there, and I didn’t feel that was a high enough level, and he knew that, and I built a relationship with him for a month. I connected with [Adrian Wojnarowski] through Vidal, and it all made sense.”

Although the junior guard hasn’t been on campus long, he already feels a sense of community. 

“Everyone cares about basketball, and it's like a family here,” Au-Duke said. “I like that feeling as it reminded me of Indian Hills except at the Division I level and you can’t beat the Atlantic 10 when it comes to competition.”

As the start of the basketball season nears, winning remains Au-Duke’s main goal; however, he has one personal goal this year.

“I have to bring the team as tightly together as possible because that translates to winning,” Au-Duke said. “If we win, all the awards will fall into place. If we focus on winning and not ourselves, I promise everyone will get their well-deserved accolades.”