Homegrown Hornet: Rocklin's Lavrenov learning from NBA veterans at Sacramento State

When Mike Bibby accepted the head coaching job at Sacramento State, he didn't know quite what to expect from Mark Lavrenov. The Rocklin High School graduate wasn't one of Bibby's recruits, and on a roster loaded with transfers and top prospects, the 14-year NBA point guard wasn't sure where Lavrenov would fit in. Lavrenov was equally uncertain about things. He had his roster spot guaranteed after signing with the Hornets, but wasn't sure where he would fit in with a new coach. Ultimately he wanted to stay close to home and decided to work at earning his playing time. "It was nerve racking at times," Lavrenov said of not knowing his role. "But I just let the pieces fall where they may and I buckled up. So far I feel like it has worked out pretty well." It didn't take long for the questions of where Lavrenov would fit in to fade. After just a few workouts, Bibby saw enough to know the pride of Rocklin had plenty to offer, even if his role this season won't come with heavy minutes. "I took a look at him, and I was like, 'Okay, let's see him work out when he comes in,'" said Bibby of Lavrenov. "I saw him and I knew that we could use that. Mark earned his spot and he'd probably be better off playing the four, but he's the only other big guy we have." Bibby praised Lavrenov's toughness, saying "He plays hard, he's tough, and that's what I want his role to go out there and be. He doesn't have to go out there and score. He's going to get on the court by rebounding the ball and playing defense and setting screens." That role is a far cry from what Lavrenov is used to. At Rocklin, he was a four-year varsity player, a two-time SFL MVP and holds the career scoring record for the Thunder. It wasn't easy to transition into a role player after averaging a double-double all four years of high school, but the 6-foot-8 forward has embraced his part on the team. "It's been great so far and I feel like I'm learning a ton from a lot of coaches that have a ton of experience. Coach Bibby has been an amazing coach and was a great NBA player, as well as Coach (Brad) Miller, who's also a great NBA player and a great coach," said Lavrenov. "There's a lot of knowledge that I'm soaking up right now and I'm focused on working hard every day, doing the little things right and doing the things I'm not comfortable with. I'm really just adjusting to this college thing. It's a lot different than high school." Lavrenov has appeared in all three of Sacramento State's games this season and Tuesday night against UC Santa Barbara he played a season-high 12 minutes and scored eight points while snagging three rebounds. He has been a gritty addition to the Hornets' lineup off the bench and hopes to see his role grow as the season goes on. His grittiness has been noticed by his teammates as well. Senior center Jeremiah Cherry, a UNLV transfer, battles with Lavrenov every day in practice and has high praise for the freshman. Cherry, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound senior that Bibby feels is an NBA caliber player, said that he believes Lavrenov has the potential to have a long basketball career. "He might not be playing the most minutes right now, but that's how it goes as a freshman. When he gets in, he does what he does," said Cherry. "Mark is a great player. His best basketball days are ahead of him." Cherry has stepped into a mentor role for Lavrenov and has taken it upon himself to show him the ropes of how to be a successful big man at the Division I level. "He listens to me when I teach him. He has no problem with listening. That's the biggest thing about basketball, if you're willing to listen, you're going to just take pieces and parts from everybody and it'll just translate," said Cherry. "That is going to take him a long way." Lavrenov's drive to get better is unmatched, After games, he can be seen putting up shots with assistant coaches and doing whatever it takes to earn extra minutes. He says he doesn't feel any nerves getting into the game and just wants to help his team in any way possible. Said Lavrenov, "I play this game every day. I love this game. At the end of the day, it's just basketball. I play hard, go get rebounds, put the ball in the basket, and play defense." Lavrenov and the Hornets are 2-1 on the season and are scheduled to play next at UC Davis on Friday.