Evan Bruinsma expected it to be this way and he's perfectly fine with it."It's cool," the 6'7" freshman forward said. "It's OK if the attention isn't on me."
When people think of the 2010-11 men's basketball recruiting class, they think of All-American guard Ray McCallum and the skill and ability he brings to the team. Little do they know that Bruinsma isn't too bad himself.
Being athletic and playing sports in college runs in the family, according to Bruinsma.
"Two of my brothers, my sister and my uncle all played in college," he said. "It is a big part of my family."
In high school, Bruinsma improved during his three years playing basketball (and soccer) for the Western Michigan Christian Warriors.
As a 6'2" sophomore, he averaged about six points en route to a championship in basketball.
His junior year saw him grow taller and he emerged as a force to be reckoned with, averaging 16 points and nine rebounds per game. Again, the Warriors won the state championship.
But it was his senior year that rates as the most exciting, according to Bruinsma.
"We had a game against Muskegon Heights and it was the craziest game I have ever been a part of," he said. "The game was sold out in within two hours of tickets going on sale."
Bruinsma averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds during the year and won a third straight state championship in basketball, ending up with only nine losses in his entire career.
"It was awesome," he said. "All I could think is I'm a champ."
Bruinsma was recruited by many Division One schools but chose Detroit Mercy primarily for one season.
"It's close to home," Bruinsma said. "And it's in a good league."
Bruinsma became only the third player from his school to sign with a Division One program. Although he is honored, he also worries because of what happened to the other two.
"They died before the age of 40," he said. "I try to not to think about that and just play basketball."
As for adjusting to the college game, he has learned the hard way that he needs to get stronger and bigger.
"The coaches want me to gain weight and play post for the first time," he said. "I only played the small forward spot in high school."
Bruinsma will be stuck behind Eli Holman and LaMarcus Lowe, who will be seniors next season. But he said that won't stop him from working to get better.
"While I'm here, I'm going to work hard and get the most out of my talent," he said. "I want to be the best I can be.
