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Deshaun Thrower becomes first Muskegonite to win the Hal Schram Mr.Basketball award
DETROIT – As their starting, he led Muskegon’s football team to a 12-2 season in 2013 and an appearance in the Division I state title game at Ford Field. He also happens to be the starting point guard on the team and has them vying for a Class A state tile at 25-0.
So what else is left for senior Deshaun Thrower to accomplish before he graduates in the summer time? How about the Mr.Basketball award.
Thrower accomplished at by accepting the 2014 Hal Schram Mr.Basketball award in front of his family, friends, coaches, and media members at the Detroit Free Press. The award has been given out annually since 1981, and surprisingly so, Thrower is the first player form Muskegon to receive the award.
"It means a lot", he said. "I can show my young players that are coming up that it’s possible to do things like on that side of the state and from Muskegon high school. Even though is not known for basketball right now, you can still do big things from there."
Thrower is averaging 18.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Muskegon Big Reds. He finished with 1,952 points, beating out several deserving winners of the award, including Justin Tillman from Detroit Pershing (1,743 points), Ypsilanti’s Jaylen Johnson (1,743 points), Edmond Sumner of Detroit Country Day (1,090 points), and Detroit Frederick Douglass’ Darrell Davis (821 points).
"I want to thank all of the finalists," Thrower said. "Anyone of us could have won the award, but I am so blessed to have been named the winner. It is quite the honor".
Thrower is that throwback type of athlete, who excels in just about any sport. He’s no slouch on the football field and will remind you of how Michael Vick used to play the quarterback Position when he was in his prime. Still Thrower chose the hardwood over the gridiron, opting to play his college ball at Stony Brook in New York state. You would think that most Mr.Basketball winners would be going to a higher Division I school, but but not Thrower.
"Even though I’m going to Stony Brook, it’s a good fit for me," he said. "They were one of the first ones to begin recruiting me in the eighth-grade. My assistant coach at Stony Brook is from Muskegon (Lamar Chapman) and he used to come to my summer league games a lot. He and my coach at Muskegon (Keith Guy) are best friends."
The Seawolves are getting a steal in Thrower, who can score, defend, and is an even better leader on the floor. Besides Stony Brook, Northern Michigan and the University of Illinois-Chicago were his only athletic offers. No Division I team in Michigan even offered him, which is shocking in its own way.
"Schools in Michigan had their chance to get me," he said. "I was at their team camps and I played in front of them, but it is what it is. Still I am going to fit in well in college and I made the right choice by going to Stony Brook."
Even Guy said he was shocked at the college attention that Thrower received, or lack there of.
"I always used to tell Deshaun to just go out and play, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control," he said. "You can’t always be that person that everyone is going to like;all you can do is just be who you are and good things will happen."
Still words can’t describe how happy I am for him and he deserves it. There were a talented bunch of finalists and for him to come out on top is great. I’m thankful for the BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) for allowing him to win something prestigious like this."
Thrower also had kind words for his coach, calling him the best coach in the state and an investment to their community. Now the two can rest their minds knowing the award will be going to Muskegon and get back to business in the gym. Muskegon has a match-up with Ann Arbor Skyline tomorrow in the Class A quarterfinals. The Big Reds are three wins away from their first basketball state title since 1937 and Thrower promises not to let his personal accolades be a distraction to the team.
"My coach told me last night to not put too much pressure on myself," he said. "He told me to keep doing the things that got me the Mr.Basketball award and keep doing the things that have been helping us win."
The future is bright up in Muskegon with their athletics and they might not have to wait long to have another Mr.Basketball winner join Thrower. Junior forward Deyonta Davis is regarded as one of the top class of 2015 players in Michigan and is committed to Michigan State.
