It was just a year ago when David DeJulius stepped away from basketball.
Citing issues with his mental health, the University of Cincinnati guard said he couldn't "hide it anymore" and left the Bearcats program.
"I have every intention on getting the help I need and getting back to being the person and player that people have grown to love," DeJulius said on Feb. 25, 2021.
Nearly a year later, DeJulius' confidence – both in himself and in his game – is at an all-time high. That confidence has translated to the 6-foot senior having the best season of his career.
After a season-high 25-point performance Sunday against Houston, DeJulius' season average increased to a team-high and career-best 13.9 points per game (up from 9.1 last season).
DeJulius, who has six 20-point games this season, said he's finding the right balance of letting the game come to him while also staying aggressive.
"Pick my spots, allow my teammates to be in position to get them the ball in position where they can be successful and also continue to be aggressive and draw fouls and get to the free-throw line," he said.
DeJulius is shooting a career-high 83% (58-for-70) from the foul line. Against the sixth-ranked Cougars, DeJulius was a perfect 12-for-12 from the foul line. It was the best performance by a Cincinnati player from the charity stripe since Sean Kilpatrick knocked down all 16 of his free-throw attempts against Iowa State in 2012.
Picking his spots is one thing, but DeJulius knows it's his renewed confidence in himself that has been the game-changer.
The Detroit native, who spent his first two seasons at the University of Michigan, credits the work he's put in both on and off the court and first-year UC coach Wes Miller with helping him keep his mind where it needs to be.
"When you're under a coach like Coach Wes Miller, who instills so much confidence in you, it makes you feel like you're on cloud nine as a player," DeJulius said. "I'm so appreciative to play for him, and I'm so appreciative just to play with each and every one of those guys in that locker room because they allow me to be me."
Entering Wednesday night's clash at South Florida, the Bearcats (15-7, 5-4 American Athletic Conference) have nine regular-season games left. That's enough runway for Cincinnati to better position itself for the AAC Tournament and create a path to the NCAA Tournament.
But if the Bearcats are going to play deep into March, DeJulius will need to continue to play with confidence.