Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1995)
r r 10 • s 'IiHE.ffi\TTMiIQN Wednesday • January 18, 1995 Multi-talented Kessel grows to fill big shoes □ Versatile freshman guard lows he has what it takes take over the point. Robert Rbdriguez "he Battalion Replacing one the best players to ever don an Ag gie basketball jersey is not an easy task for anyone, especially for a freshman. However, Kyle Kessel is not your average freshman. Kessel, a product out of Mundelein High School in Mundelein, Illinois, holds the in evitable task of replacing David Edwards at the point guard posi tion. Not only does he have some big shoes to fill by replacing Ed wards, but also Playboy Magazine believes Kessel is A&M coach Tony Barone’s star of the future. Kessel feels confident that he can handle these pressures placed upon him. “I just try to take it one game at a time,” Kessel said, “and do the best Lean.” Kessel is only the second freshman point guard in A&M history to start the first 15 games of his career. At the beginning of this season, Kessel struggled to adjust to the collegiate leveL However, with each passing game; Kessel has shown improvement,, in cluding scoring, a career-high 19 points in a win over Holy Cross, and then dishing out 11 assists in a win over LoyolaiMarymount. Kessers 4.& assist average ranks him sixth in the conference and, he is fourth on the team in scoring. Kessel He feels the progress he’s made can be attributed to one thing. “Experience is the rea son for this improve ment,” explains Kessel. “My first college game, I was kind of excited and nervous. I just had to get into a couple of games and my game got better.” Not only has Kessel improved with each game, but he also has been calm under pres sure. He made six straight free throws in the final two minutes to seal a victory over South western Louisiana on December 5. Barone knows it will take some time for Kessel to adjust to the pressures placed upon him, but he be lieves Kessel has what it takes to perform well. “Kyle has done well this season with all the attention,” Barone said. “He’s still learning but he’s been playing well.” The coaching staff is not the only group who seems to have confidence in Kessel. Kessel feels he has the respect of his teammates and is looking for more from other Stew Milne/THE Battalion Kessel •“3 Raqueiball iGourts •" Z Tennis Courts •Basketball •‘Volleyball. •‘Certified Instructors •'Five Studios Over 6000 sq; ft. • Over 100 Classes Weekly ♦Water Aerobics •• STEP Classes •■ 1/10 mile Indoor Track • Olympic Free Weights • Eagle/Cybex Circuit • Qualified Trainers • New Weight Room •VersaClimber • StairMasters •Treadmills AQUATICS 1 8 Lane, 25 Yard Pool 1 Indoor, Heated New Year’s Resolution Special BRYAN 1900 W. VILLA MARIA 0234971 GALL FOR MORE INFO. COLLEGE STATION 2220 S. TEXAS AVE. 6934073 (AEROBICS ONLY) • OPEN 7 BAYS A. WEEK° -MONDAY-THORSDAY, 3:30AM • I2AM • *Some restrictions may apply. $10 OFF *Good thru Feb. 15, 1995. Not valid with any other offer. Kyle Kessel attempts to inbound a pass against the Rice Owl press, scored 6 points against the Owls in last night’s action. teams. “There have been times when my teammates have looked to give me the ball, which shows me I have their respect,” Kessel said. “As each game pass es, I think I will get more and more respect from oth er people.” Kessel was a two time all-state pick in Illinois and was named area player of the year by the Chicago Daily Herald in his senior year. Kessel finished his high school career with the second highest career as sists total in Illinois prep history and is 10th on the all-time state list in points scored. However, basketball was not the only sport in which Kessel excels. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 50th round of last year’s amateur base ball draft as a pitcher. Kessel signed with the Mets and will be assigned to their Port St. Lucie farm team in Florida this summer. Because of his professional contract, the NCAA forbids Kessel from playing baseball for the Aggie baseball team. However, a clause in his contract stat ed the Mets will provide for his college education at any school he would like to attend. This basketball-baseball trial Kessel is perform ing was popularized by Duke freshman guard Trajan Langdon, who plays for the San Diego Padres organi zation during the summer. Kessel could have chosen other prominent basketball schools such as George town or New Orleans, but said he could not pass up at the opportunity to play for A&M. “I could have gone to those other schools, but I saw a good opportunity to come and play here at Texas A&M,” Kessel said. “I like Coach Barone and the style of play here.” The real test for Kessel will come when conference play kicks into full gear. In order for the team to con tend for the Southwest Conference title, Kessel be lieves attitude, motivation, and execution must be present in A&M’s arsenal. “As a team, we have to just play with enthusiasm and play hard,” Kessel said. “Personally, I have to run this team. My job is to hit the open shot, find the open man, and play good defense.” “ I’m not into stats, but if you keep on winning, that’s a reflection of the point guard,” he later said. “That is my personal goal this year, to just keep the team winning.” any semester membership!*