But after Permenter chose to go the NCAA Division I route coming out of Temple High School, is Johnson glad he’s at least gotten to coach him for one season? Yes, absolutely.
Following an unfulfilling freshman season at Texas-San Antonio, Permenter transferred to TC and as a 6-9, 235-pound sophomore forward has helped lead the Leopards’ charge for a 10th consecutive NJCAA Region V Tournament berth.
He paces Temple (14-10 overall, 4-4 Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference) with per-game averages of 18.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots entering the Leopards’ crucial duel against second-place Hill (16-8, 6-2) at 4 p.m. today at TC Gym.
“This season has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Permenter said Friday during a break from a morning workout. “I’ve been really glad to come back to play for TC. This has definitely been my favorite team I’ve ever been on. We have so much chemistry and we’re always hanging out with each other.”
Johnson likes the impact Permenter has made on TC’s squad at both ends of the court.
“His numbers have been what I expected,” Johnson said. “He has 72 blocks for the season, which is the most already that we’ve ever had anybody have, and he has a shot at getting to 100. Russ has helped us immensely because he’s big and he can run.”
Permenter’s stellar play in his return to Temple is expected to earn him an opportunity to get back to the Division I level next season - likely with a higher-profile program.
Providence of the rugged, deep Big East Conference is showing strong interest in Permenter, who says he’s also being recruited by Pepperdine, Santa Clara, South Alabama, Idaho, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Gardner-Webb.
On Friday morning Johnson put Permenter through a workout that was videotaped in order for Providence’s coaches to get a closer look at his skills.
Trying to display his improving range as a shooter, Permenter went through a 14-ball rack of 17-foot jumpers, then took 14 3-point attempts from the top of the key and another 14 3s from the right corner. He showed admirable accuracy, particularly for a 6-9 player who’s accustomed to staying closer to the basket.
“I knew coming into this season that I had to improve my outside shooting and show I can step out,” he said. “I feel like I’ve done that, but unless you’re perfect you always have work to do.”
A few minutes later, to show he doesn’t just want to float around the perimeter, Permenter set up in the low post and threw down 14 dunks in about 1½ minutes. He hopes it’s the kind of showing that will impress the Friars.
“That would definitely be a big one, to sign with a Big East program that’s doing well,” said Permenter, who plans to make several official recruiting visits. “I’d be playing (No. 1-ranked) UConn and Notre Dame and schools like that.”
Johnson has known Permenter since his youngest son, Tanner, attended elementary and middle school with Permenter, whose hoops gifts he recognized early on.
“He was the same age as Tanner at Bonham, and at the time Tanner was waist-high to Russ,” Johnson said. “I saw that he was a very talented player and I knew he had Division I ability.”
Permenter played four varsity seasons at Temple and as a senior was voted District 13-5A’s Most Valuable Player - averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5.6 blocks - even though the Wildcats were 13-18 - 2-10 in district.
Permenter was actively recruited by Johnson, but he opted to sign with UTSA of the Southland Conference, then averaged only 9.3 minutes and 3.1 points in 14 games as the Roadrunners went 13-17.
“I didn’t have a good bond with the coaches at UTSA,” he said. “It was definitely a benefit as far as picking up some skills and being coached by a former NBA player in Brooks Thompson. But it was an experience where I basically decided to leave, and I felt with the help of Coach Johnson that I should come play at TC.”
Said Johnson: “He did benefit by getting into a Division I weight program and getting bigger and stronger.”
In the spring of 2005, Temple senior Ronnie Martin chose Division I Centenary (La.) over TC, then returned home after one season to excel for the Leopards as a sophomore. It has ended up being a similar scenario for Permenter.
“I told them, ‘If you ever need us, we’re here,’” Johnson said. “We’ve benefited a lot from having them here, and I think both guys wish they had been here both years.”
Permenter’s top performances this season include 30-point games against Weatherford (with 16 rebounds) and Ranger, 23 in a win over then-No. 7 San Jacinto and 25 against defending national champion South Plains.
He admits that the low point of his season came Jan. 3 in Fort Smith, Ark., where he had 11 points in the first 10 minutes against Carl Albert (Okla.). He then thought he was fouled on a reverse layup, let a referee know about it and received a technical foul.
When Permenter brushed off a teammate who approached him, a different official gave him another technical, resulting in an ejection. The Leopards went on to lose 86-78, and he was forced to sit out a day later as TC was edged 98-93 by tournament host and then-No. 8 Arkansas-Fort Smith.
“That was definitely the low point, getting kicked out,” said Permenter, a Vice President’s Honor List student in the fall semester. “I’m an intense guy, a passionate guy, and showing emotion definitely helps get my adrenaline going and gets my teammates going."
And if Permenter keeps getting himself and his teammates going as they enter the season’s closing stretch, he’ll be going places again.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
