A couple of former Demon basketball stars brought good karma, and more, to the NSU basketball team before and after Saturday's heartening win over Texas-Arlington in the Southland Conference opener.
Last year's point guard, Kennan Jones, talked to the team just before the game. He spoke about playing unselfishly and with the team's success as the total focus. This is a guy who played three seasons behind Tyronn Mitchell at point guard, yet wound up fourth all-time at NSU in assists. There were times when coach Mike McConathy would call for Kennan to sub in for Tyronn, and "Chief" (Jones' nickname) would tell his coach to let Tyronn stay in because he was playing so well. That's unselfish.
Jones is in school working toward his degree.
Back from a little farther away was Chris Lynch, one of the standouts on the Demons' first NCAA team in 2001. Lynch visited with the team after the win, and coach Mike and he explained that they didn't always see eye to eye except in one area -- they were working to win games. It helped coach Mike reinforce the point he made after the lopsided loss at Oklahoma State: he was going to be hard on the players, but he was still in their corner and they shouldn't lose faith in him or each other.
Lynch is playing pro ball in South America after earlier seasons in China, the Middle East and Australia. His time in Melbourne tops his list of experiences.
He stays in touch with NSU teammate Michael Byars-Dawson, who is now playing in Tehran, Iran.
"You go where the money is, while you're young enough to do it," explained Lynch. He said Byars-Dawson is about to go nuts because of the communication barriers, but is doing well on the court.
Lynch said his world travels have definitely made him appreciate America and our standard of living. That's something he does not take for granted any more.
Doug Ireland, SID
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