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Despite detours, Pilgrim living professional dream
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Mike Pilgrim has overcome plenty of adversity, but is finally starting to realize his pro dreams.
Webster's Dictionary defines perseverance as "to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement." Mike Pilgrim personifies perseverance and its finally starting to pay off for the former Cincinnati prep star.
The 6-8 forward attended two high schools (Walnut Hills, Purcell Marian), a prep school (Brewster Academy) and three colleges (Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Arkansas-Monticello) before landing at Louisiana State University-Shreveport last season. In his only season with the Pilots, he was third on the team with 13.5 points per game and second with 7.55 boards. Despite becoming eligible at the semester break, Pilgrim led LSUS with six double-doubles.
With the help of sports agent Richard Katz, Pilgrim has landed in Brunei, Asia. Yes, that Richard Katz, the agent for former UC head coach Bob Huggins.
He plays for the Brunei Barracudas in the inaugural season of the Asean Basketball League. In four games for the 1-3 Barracudas, Pilgrim is second on the team with 16.5 points per game and third with 6.5 boards. While he is shooting a respectable 50 percent from the field, he is struggling mightily on his free throws. Pilgrim is shooting a paltry 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from the charity stripe.
Part of the difficulties could be his physical condition.
"My weakness right now, and has always been, just getting in great physical shape," Pilgrim said. "Right now I am at 65 percent seriously. Even with all the great things I am doing over here, I am at 65 percent. Once I am able to get to 100% like my coach, Bong Ramos, says it will be hard to stop me."
With all of the detours, speed bumps and naysayers, Pilgrim is taking playing halfway across the world in stride.
"Playing Overseas is a blessing but at the same time it is a very big adjustment," said Pilgrim. "You have to be able to be responsible for all of your actions on and off the court as far as the business end, and then you have to adapt to the culture and the way of life wherever you go. But again the experience can be rewarding wherever you go.
"The good thing about being overseas is experiencing a different way of life, and another beautiful culture," he continued. "You broaden your outlook on life. The bad thing about being overseas is simple. You are so far away from everything you know and love period, so you have to make sure you are properly grounded in faith, faith in the Lord and faith in yourself."
While Pilgrim was ending his collegiate career and looking toward his professional future, his brother Matt was in limbo. After John Calipari took over at the University of Kentucky he decided not to renew the Matt Pilgrim’s scholarship. However, the younger Pilgrim, who transferred from Hampton to Kentucky, also landed on his feet. Matt Pilgrim will be immediately eligible to play for Oklahoma State, and Mike Pilgrim firmly believes the Cowboys will be better for it, and not only basketball-wise.
"Wherever he is he is always a blessing to their program," said Mike Pilgrim. "He has been through so much and has more he will go through, but he handles it all with so much class and grace. I expect him to be a SportsCenter regular, help the Cowboys get to the NCAA tournament and make noise in March Madness nothing less. But all in all, I expect him to always do his best when he is on and off the court cause that’s his track record, period."
Life's trials and tribulations have left Pilgrim with a greater sense of responsibility, reason and maturity.
"The best advice I could give any kid that would have to take the road I took for any reason, would be never give up and never give in no matter what," said Pilgrim. "In a world of so much doubt someone has to be a believer, and I choose to be a believer in Gods promise. We all fall at times, but we all were given legs and heart to get back up through any trial or tribulation, and to remember nobody defines us except for us."
