"I guess I'd say the highlights there were when we beat St. Mary's…they were ranked at the time…and that game against Portland State," said the 5'10" junior.

His game against the Vikings was an eye opener. 

He scored a career high 27 points as the Pilots defeated Portland State, 78-67, his freshman year.

So, what do you do when someone like that decides to end his career in North Portland after two seasons?  You grab him, if you can.

PSU Head Coach Tyler Geving knew of Douglas when he graduated from Mayfair High School in Cerritos, CA because it also was the high school for Vikings' star Charles Odum.

"We didn't need a point guard at the time he was coming out of high school," recalled Geving.

Douglas had started getting serious interest from college coaches as a junior.

"Oh, you get letters before that, but the phone calls started when I was a junior," he said. He heard from a number of schools including UC Riverside and the University of Portland…"Portland State a little, but nothing serious".

He chose Portland because he liked the conference, the school academically and "it looked like a place I could go and grow as a person."

After two years, though "I decided it wasn't for me and decided to try to continue my career elsewhere."  He felt "like I was in a box. It's a small school and you get watched closely." Things were too structured both on the basketball court and around the campus.

When he saw how Douglas played against the Vikings for UP and heard that he'd left there, Geving said he and his staff was very interested... as were a lot of other schools.  Douglas heard from a number of Midwest and East Coast programs, as well as a couple of NAIA schools.

"I think our cause was helped because he knew Charles Odum and he likes living in Portland," said Geving. 

Douglas acknowledged that he chose the Vikings because "I knew Charles and liked the style of play at Portland State… up-tempo and the freedom to make plays.  Charles said PSU was a good place to play…and besides, I like Portland.  Except for the cold winters, it's a great place to be" Douglas said. Since he wants to be a medical doctor, PSU's strong pre-med program and connection to OHSU also were attractive.

Per NCAA rules, he did have to sit out a year, which he used to get stronger, play on the scout team and get used to the Viking's team atmosphere and style of play.

And, this year, he has started every game, is the Viking's leader in scoring (16.1) and assists (4.3) and has been Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.

Douglas began playing sports when he was three or four.  His dad, Timothy Douglas Sr., played football and wrestled in high school.  "Dad (a graphic designer for a game company) taught me everything I know about sports.  He made it fun for me.  He was connected with me all the way.  He was always there."

He fell in love with basketball early and played AAU ball prior to high school.  As a high school senior, he was named the Suburban League Most Valuable Player and All-CIF first Team, after leading Mayfair to a 19-10 record and the conference title.  He also was all-league as a junior.

Douglas likes the unpredictability of basketball.  "You're playing against other people and against yourself in a way.  Every day is different.  There's always a new challenge."  Everyone likes to score, he said.  But his satisfaction comes from "the complete game, distributing the ball, rebounding, assists, not just scoring." 

He's most satisfied "when we win.  It's satisfying to face a challenge and come through and win.  You have to work together.  You need other people on the court to win.  You do have to play well yourself to help the team, but it's for the team."

Douglas had confidence early that he could play Division 1 college ball.

"My parents always taught me that I could do what I wanted if I put my mind to it.  I've always wanted to play pro ball and college was just another step toward my goal," he said.

He matches his basketball strength with strength in the classroom.  As a pre-med major, Douglas's academic career has been full of classes with labs attached, meaning he learned to be organized early.

"I'm pretty organized, something my mom (Carol Douglas, a probation officer) taught me.  When I was little, it was like 'do your homework before you can go out to play.  There are certain times to do certain things.  Some things have priorities over other things'."

Because of summer school classes, he's an academic senior this year and has undertaken a minor (psychology) to finish out his two years as a Viking.

Douglas' personal goals for this year are to work on protecting the ball and making shots, he said.

And Geving sees him accomplishing just about whatever he wants.

"Tim is a very focused player, and he's a focused individual in his life.  He's our team leader.  Guys respect him. They respect his game, but they also respect him as a person. He's a good person, who takes care of business on and off the floor.  Every coach would like to have 13 Tim Douglas',"  Geving said.

Douglas is one busy guy (he said he also spends as much time as he can with his girlfriend).  Asked about hobbies, he said:  "I sleep when I can."