Michigan State Lands a Gem in Kalin Lucas

Written by Sean Merriman He walks into the gym with a bright smile across his face. The young kid laughs and jives with his teammates during warm-ups as he

Written by Sean Merriman
He walks into the gym with a bright smile across his face. The young kid laughs and jives with his teammates during warm-ups as he knocks down shot after shot like it’s a routine. He has the newest pair of Jordan shoes on his feet and the number 23 embedded on the chest of his red and black jersey. The comparisons might be a bit unreasonable at this point in time, for he is only a junior in high school. But if Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo knows anything about recruiting winners at his program, then he certainly has landed one special player in St. Mary’s point guard Kalin Lucas.

Lucas might be all laughs during warm-ups, but once the ball is tipped, the kid that we see in shoot around becomes a man amongst boys on the basketball court. He pushes the ball up the court, splits two defenders and makes a reverse lay-up over the opposing team’s big man. He steals the inbounds pass, takes one dribble back and knocks down a three like its nothing. Sounds like the game of a typical ball hog right? Wrong!

Lucas goes the rest of the first quarter with only scoring two more points, but his team is wining the game. Instead of shooting, Lucas has dished out 4 assists, grabbed 3 rebounds, has 2 steals, and most importantly his team is in control of the game. When the game gets tight, Lucas is there to score if needed but he would prefer to get his teammates involved.

I got the chance to watch Kalin Lucas play in 3 games this weekend as he led Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to a district championship title. In those three games Lucas had point totals of 19, 18, and 29 as he passed the 1,000 point tally for his carrier. But Lucas will tell you himself that as long as his team is winning, the point totals mean nothing to him.

Michigan State is traditionally known for producing great point guards in the past. Magic Johnson, Scott Skiles, Eric Snow, Mateen Cleaves to name a few. When Lucas chose Michigan State, he had those names in mind and wants to be the next great floor leader added to that list.

The Spartans are known for their fast pace offence and Lucas fits that mold just perfect. I have seen a lot of high school basketball games in my lifetime, but never have I seen a kid get the ball up the floor that quick. He is also dedicated to improving his strength as Lucas is committed to a weight training regiment when he is not playing hoops. On the court he can score, he can pass, and most importantly, he is a winner.

When people pick up the newspaper and scam the prep Basketball section, it generally lists the scores of the game and who led their team in points. However, Kalin Lucas brings more to his team then his point total listed on page 9 in Friday morning’s paper. Lucas might be St. Mary’s best player, but it is the team who wins games and Lucas is just happy to be a part of that. There is no category for hard work and leadership, but that’s allright with him. As long as his teammates are behind him and his team is winning, that’s all that matters to Lucas.

Tom Izzo is going to have to wait another year for the arrival of Lucas as he finishes his outstanding high school carrier. It won’t be until 2008 that people will start recognizing the young man walking through campus. Instead, he’s just a kid who goes through the normal routines of any high school student. Lucas has yet to experience spring break, his senior prom, and graduation with all his closest friends. Once he steps foot on the Michigan State Basketball court, people will be sure to talk about the new freshman point guard. But for now, no one outside of his community will recognize the individual that is Kalin Lucas.

For now, that is just the way he likes it.