Redmond's Lund Works Up To Cougars
For almost two months, Brian Lund's days were filled with weightlifting, running and practicing basketball. With no promises, no guarantees.
"Eventually, one of the coaches asked me how my grades were," said the 1991 Redmond High graduate.
"Then they ask for your shoe size after a while, and I figured . . ."
He figured right.
The member of Redmond's 1990-91 all-star lineup who was considered least likely to play Pacific-10 basketball had earned a spot on Washington State's varsity roster. Lund averaged four points and four assists per game at point guard during the 1990-91 state tournament as Redmond finished second in the state.
"Right now, it's basically they just wanted some guy to show up every day and not complain and not ask for anything," said the 6-foot-1 Lund. "Unless someone gets hurt or real tired, I sit out."
So far, Lund has seen action in all three of the Cougars' home games this season, including a season-high four minutes in a 106-75 victory over High Five American on Nov. 30. He took his only shot in that game, a miss from 20 feet.
"It's frustrating at times, but it's fun," said Lund, who transferred to WSU after a year at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon. "Going into games, you really have no pressure on you. . . . But not being able to compete, I kind of miss that."
Lund, along with former Redmond teammate Barry Johnson, was a starter at Chemeketa until transferring after the coach left for another job. Johnson still is at Chemeketa.
After a phone call of introduction from his Chemeketa coach, Lund walked on at Washington State. He is the only one left of 12 who walked on this season.
"I can't really think of anybody who came out of KingCo and walked on to Pac-10 teams and got a chance," said Lund, who hopes to one day earn at least a partial scholarship. "Most people quit after high school. It's kind of fun thinking about that."
Note
-- Bellevue Community College is offering $30 baseball instruction camps for three age groups - 8-12, 13-15 and 15-18 - starting Jan. 9. Each session includes four hours of instruction, and each participant receives a camp T-shirt. For more information, contact Coach Mike Kanzaki at 641-2391.