Kris Douse started playing basketball because he literally had out grown his initial sport: football. Standing 6 feet, 7 inches tall, Douse is one of the newest members of Point Park University’s men’s basketball team.  Douse, a forward and senior business management major, as well as a transfer from Delaware State University, has been making his presence known on the court this season.Douse hails from Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario, Canada. He leads yhe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Divisions II in rebounds in the nation with 12.1 per game.  He has also contributed to the NAIA Division II, raising to third in the nation in scoring average.Douse has performed well, especially in one of the latest games against NAIA Division II No. 1 Walsh University. Douse scored 17 points and had 11 rebounds in the first half to help the Pioneers reach a 42-35 halftime lead. Douse had his sixth double-double in seven games at the end of halftime. It was a close game and Douse was recognized for carrying the Pioneers toward a possible upset, but he fouled out of the game with 13:31 left on the clock. Unfortunately, Walsh took advantage of the open court and took the win by a score of 90-83.Douse has been playing basketball since the age of 15. Before playing basketball, Douse was an avid football player, but was encouraged to change sports because of his height. His family has been his greatest supporters. They motivate him and keep him focused.  Douse moved to the United States when he was 17 and began playing basketball in North Carolina at the Laurinburg Institute, qhere he was rated No. 55 for fifth-year players, Five Star Camp All-Star and Camp All-Star for the Atlantic Coast Conference. After graduating high school Douse was recruited by Nebraska State National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, where he saw action in eight games, averaging 0.9 points per game and 0.9 rebounds per game. He also shot 30 percent (3-of-10) from the field. After one semester at Nebraska, Douse decided to move his career to Delaware State University, another NCAA Division I school. 2007-08 was a rough year for Douse. He only played in four games after joining the team in December. He played 39 minutes; and averaged 2.8 points and .8 rebounds per game. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Jan. 13.  In 2008-9’s seasons he appeared in 32 games, making six starts and averaging 3.8 points per game. He also recorded a career high 61 rebounds.Having a year extra since he was redshirted in early 2008, Douse wanted to find a place where he would fit in not only with the team, but using the style of play he was comfortable with.Douse decided to play for Point Park on the recommendation of his assistant coach at Delaware.”He thought I would fit in here and that my playing style would match up to the team here,” Douse said.Douse was recruited over the summer to ensure that Point Park was the right fit for him.”The staff is one of the things that really sold me,” Douse said. “They are really helpful and have great personalities.”Assistant Coach Gabe Bubon helped recruit Douse over the past summer.”We jumped on him pretty hard, sold the program, and knew he would make a big difference,” Bubon said.Bubon believes Douse has added some much-needed height to the team.”(Douse) has a Division I size and that is hard to come by,” Bubon said. Bubon described Douse as a laid back player off the court.This season, Bubon hopes that Douse will use his experience and work ethic to motivate the team.”We keep getting better each day, there is not a day we can take off,” Bubon said.For the next upcoming games, he feels comfortable with the way the men have been playing. Bubon believes the combination of experience, compatibility and work ethic will help bring in a win. Douse believes the key part of their 5-3 season is how close the team members are this season compared to past seasons.”We have a family environment,” Douse said. He sees great personality on the team and enjoys the style of play.”We are competitive and we want to show how good we really can be,” Douse said.Douse believes he is bringing experience, versatility and leadership to this year’s team.”I am optimistic for this season,” Douse said. “I hope for the best and [that] whatever God has [planned] for me [fits] me.”Kevin Taylor, director of athletic communications, has witnessed the positive change on the court.”This is an exciting team, they are fun to watch,” Taylor said.Taylor also acknowledged Douse has added to the element of the team.”This gives him a chance to shine on the court,” Taylor said.Taylor sees a great season in the works and believes the long season will give the team a chance to prove their talents.Point Park played Penn State-Fayette in a non-conference gameOpen ending depending on what happens in the game tonight.