Chico State Athletics

Coach Greg Clink told Calvin Geraci that he brought him into the Chico State men's basketball program to shoot. Thus, he expected him to shoot.
 
Sometimes (especially early on), Geraci passed up those opportunities anyway. But he grew and learned. Now, with what was to be his senior season canceled due to COVID-19, Geraci has decided to shoot his shot in the "real world."
 
"Obviously I would love to be around the guys again and be with Coach Clink again, but I'm at that point in my life where I'm ready for something new," Geraci said.
 
Set to graduate in May with his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies (Public Affairs option) and minor in marketing, our Wildcat of the Week has been "talking to a lot of companies about sales and marketing positions."
 
Geraci expressed gratitude for all of his professors for helping prepare him for the work force, along with Office of Accessible Technology and Services Director, Jeremy Olguin, who employed Geraci and helped him get invaluable work experience.
 
Geraci also credits his time in the basketball program for his preparedness for the next chapter of his life.
 
"The number one thing college basketball has taught me is how to operate and even thrive in the midst of adversity and during times of high stress or pressure," Geraci said. "It's also helped me understand that you get what you put into whatever it is you're doing. Relating that to basketball, it's going in early, staying late, and putting in extra lifts. Everything worth accomplishing takes hard work and you're only going to get back what you put into it."
 
It's a message that Geraci has passed along to his younger brother, Tyson, who recently signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Wildcats' program in the fall. Calvin insists he didn't push Tyson to attend Chico State, however. In fact, Calvin's experience had more to do with it than anything he could have said.
 
"He saw me grow throughout the program and realized it's high-level basketball and a great program," Calvin said. "I didn't convince him at all. He felt like it was a perfect fit, just like how I felt when I decided to come."
 
Geraci excelled on and off the court as a Wildcat. A key contributor off the bench as a freshman and sophomore, he became a full-time starter as a junior, averaging 11.1 points per game and ranking second on the team in steals. Geraci was also a 2018–19 CCAA All-Academic Award winner and 2019–20 National Basketball Coaches Association Honors Court recipient for his work in the classroom. His efforts helped lead the Wildcats to a 23-7 record and into the 2020 NCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Geraci also shot his shot, knocking down 52 3-pointers.
 
That's not what he thinks he'll remember the most, however.
 
"All the things off the court that you take for granted is what I'll miss most," he said. "Obviously, you remember practices, games, and the crowd. But the road trips or goofing around before practice is the stuff I'll remember most, and especially all the relationships I've built."
 
One night, with the team scheduled to get up at 4 a.m. to catch an early flight out of San Diego, Geraci and his roommate, Malik Duffy, decided to stay up all night goofing off and playing video games. They got on the plane that morning with no sleep but a lot of great memories.
 
They shot their shot and had no regrets. It's a lesson that Geraci has clearly learned. It will continue to serve him well.

Do you know a Wildcat who deserves to be considered for a Wildcat of the Week honor? We're looking for current student-athletes who are making you proud athletically, academically, and/or in the community. If you have an idea, please take a moment to let us know by completing this five-question survey.