Kevin Laue Doesn’t Need a Hand, Thankyouverymuch…
Posted by rtmsf on May 26th, 2009The next time we complain about our knees throbbing after a particularly physical run over at our local courts, remind us of Kevin Laue. The 6’10 native of Pleasanton, CA, was offered a scholarship by Manhattan College after spending a postgraduate year at Fork Union Military Academy, where he averaged 10/5 per game playing against other D1 prospects. So why is anyone talking about a low-major recruit heading to a MAAC school? Well, because Laue plays with only one hand. From the AP:
Manhattan College’s Barry Rohrssen figures coaches take chances all the time. He’d rather take one on Laue, whose left arm ends just past the elbow. So last week, the Division I school signed the center, and Rohrssen is confident his work ethic will rub off on other players. “We take chances on kids who have poor academic histories, who have disciplinary problems both on the court and off the court,” Rohrssen said Tuesday. “We give opportunities to players who don’t appreciate them, who take them for granted. For all the right reasons, Kevin deserves this chance, and he should make the most of this opportunity.”
Back in grad school, we actually played pickup ball quite a bit with a guy like this. He was surprisingly efficient with the ball in terms of his motion and release. Very consistent with his shot and could play defense just as well (or better) as anyone else out there. Given that experience, it honestly doesn’t shock us that someone such as Laue could pull this off, as in our experience, people with disabilities work that much harder to prove everyone wrong. Two years ago an article in the San Francisco Chronicle stated, “he carries a 3.5 grade-point average. With an offseason’s work on a hook shot, he could become a Division II or III college prospect.” Or… a D1 scholarship player. Still exceeding expectations. Congratulations, Kevin.
