LA JOLLA – When the Chico State men's basketball team was eliminated in the first round of last season's NCAA Championship Tournament, they knew that with their returning talent they would have the opportunity to get back for the sixth straight season.
No one is surprised to see the Wildcats and last season's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of the Year Robert Duncan, fellow All-CCAA selections Isaiah Ellis and Jalen McFerren, and super sixth-man Corey Silverstrom make it back.
What is something of a surprise is the impact that a young man who at that time was living in Grambling, Louisiana, and never played high school basketball, is having.
Michael Bethea, Jr. had recently completed his junior season at Grambling State this time last year. He started 20 games for the Division I program.
Bethea enjoyed his time at Grambling, but when the season ended, he faced a sobering decision. The Tigers had finished last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Bethea wanted to complete his collegiate career as a winner. That was unlikely to happen if he stayed.
"It was hard because I felt that the team was putting in a lot of work, but I just really didn't want to go out the way that we were. I didn't like the idea of raising my kids and explaining to them that I was a loser during my college career," said Bethea. "So I acted on that feeling, and hit up Jalen McFerren, who I met at a gym the summer before I moved to Grambling. After I made my decision, (Head) Coach (Greg) Clink contacted me and said that they would love to have me as part of the squad."
It was a match made in the heavens, where satellites ping voices from one phone to another.
"We did a lot of homework, made a lot of phone calls, and talked to a lot of people who told me what an amazing guy Michael is," said Clink. "He has proved every one of them right."
It has worked out wonderfully for the Wildcats and for Bethea. One of the first players off of the bench for Chico State, the 6-foot-6 senior guard has provided the Wildcats with a spark both offensively and defensively. He is aggressive on both ends of the floor, always in the middle of the action.
"Michael is a very skilled player," Clink said. "He has accepted his role and done a great job in it this season. He works hard on both ends of the floor the entire time he is out there."
Bethea is averaging 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game and he has made 28 threes, the third most on the team. His 2.3 steals per 40 minutes of action is the second highest rate on the team.
Most importantly, he is going out a winner. Bethea and the Wildcats are 23-7 and open NCAA Championship Tournament play Friday at noon at RIMAC Arena on the campus of UC San Diego.
It's been a great final chapter in a surprising collegiate basketball story.
"Most people don't even know this about me, but I didn't even play high school basketball," said Bethea. "I was hanging around the wrong crowd and never earned the grades that were needed to play. Because of this, I had no idea that I was capable of playing at a college level where the competition and talent is so high."
Bethea was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, where he attended Curtis High School. He always had a passionate love for the game. But one day Bethea had a revelation. He made the decision to use basketball to better his life. He committed to being a better player, and more importantly, a better person.
Bethea landed at Ohlone Community College in Fremont, and quickly discovered he faced a bigger challenge than he imagined. Not playing high school basketball left him with a severe disadvantage. But Bethea was determined. He spent the majority of his time at Ohlone mastering the proper fundamentals of the game, adapting to the speed of play, and most importantly, learning how to play within the team concept. As his skills began to improve, Bethea realized he was capable of playing at the next level.
Bethea earned his associates degree and began turning heads on the court, eventually landing a scholarship at Grambling State.
"I'm really proud of being able to accomplish that without playing high school basketball," said Bethea. "I realized that I was capable of being just as great of an athlete as the rest of the people around me, and that really gave me confidence in what I was doing."
Bethea continued to improve at Grambling. He started in 20 of the Tigers' 31 games, averaging 5.3 points, two rebounds and a steal per game. The losing took its toll, however. So Bethea took a chance that has paid off.
"The people here in Chico have been very nice, especially the guys who all welcomed me with open arms," said Bethea. "I knew that Chico had their players all lined up already, so coming in I knew I would have to sacrifice playing time in order to benefit the team. I really just wanted to come and help us win games any way I could. That started with me putting the team ahead of myself."
Bethea dedicated himself to learning and being a great teammate.
"Michael is a great teammate. He just wants to win and he wants to get better," McFerren said. "He has the guys over to his place all the time to watch film. I want to make a deep run in the tournament because I don't want our time with him and Robert (Duncan) to end."
Bethea's determination and work ethic throughout his basketball journey has helped him to become an outstanding basketball player and person. His basketball journey has taken him from the northeast to Silicon Valley, to the Deep South and finally, to Chico. He has learned valuable life lessons at every stop.
"I've learned to never stop believing in myself. This might sound crazy, but I've learned to always know that I am blessed as long as I have good health and all five senses working for me," said Bethea. "I have realized that I should never complain about what I don't have and cherish what I do have, because life is too short to dwell on the negative."
Bethea, who plans to graduate this summer with a degree in criminal justice, is a great example that it takes endurance and determination to reach your goals. He believes it is important to share what he has learned with those who may one day find themselves in a similar position.
"Be patient and always be ready when your time comes in life," said Bethea. "When you get the opportunity, be ready, because you don't know how many opportunities you will get. Don't focus on the things you can't control, and focus on the things you can control."
Friday at noon, when the Wildcats tip off their NCAA Championship Tournament run, expect Bethea to play hard when he is in the game, root hard for his teammates when he is not, and take his shots when the come.
Whether they fall or not, Michael Bethea, Jr. is going out a winner. And you can bet that one day he'll proudly tell his kids all about his 2016-17 season with the Chico State men's basketball team.
