Tampa subregional

Progress slow for high school star

Ex-Mr. Basketball hasn't excelled as expected, but his defense, promise have kept him in the Spartans lineup.

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 18, 2003

The past four Mr. Basketballs from the state of Michigan have matriculated at Michigan State. Kelvin Torbert, Mr. Basketball 2001, took a back seat to none of them.

Built like a middle linebacker, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore guard hails from Northwestern High in Flint, the hardscrabble town noted for churning out great MSU players.

In 2001, Torbert was the state's top player and considered by some, including the Sporting News and Gatorade, to be the nation's best prep. His impact was expected to be as sudden and explosive as one of his dynamic dunks.

It hasn't happened.

His numbers have been solid, but not befitting one anointed a star on the rise. He has averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 rebounds, both third best on the team, this season. Those are up slightly from 8.2 and 3.4 as a freshman, and his shooting percentage climbed from 39.9 as a freshman (lowest among MSU regulars) to 43.3.

Since his arrival in East Lansing, Torbert has appeared tentative on offense and unsure of himself. His outside shot has been AWOL, as he made just 8 of 26 3-pointers this season. His ball-handling has been shaky, too.

Stout defense is why his playing time has been steady, improving from 25 minutes last season to 29. His imposing presence, strength and aggressiveness are an ideal fit for the Spartans' renowned man-to-man defense. Last season he was co-recipient of the team's best defensive player award, and Monday at MSU's annual Basketball Bust, where the season's top players are acknowledged, he was chosen most improved player and best defensive player.

"I'm working to help this team win championships," Torbert said in February. "I can't really worry about what I was supposed to be. A little bit of me expected (to star immediately) and a little bit of me didn't. But at no time did I doubt myself."

So though Torbert hasn't had the offensive impact at MSU of his Mr. Basketball predecessors Jason Richardson (1999) and Marcus Taylor (2000), he is an integral component who started 28 of 31 games this season. Plus, he's a teenager (he turns 20 in May), so there is plenty of time to fulfill the tantalizing potential projected for him coming out of high school.

A model might be fellow Northwestern alum and 2000 Final Four star Peterson. An NBA first-round pick, Peterson also had modest beginnings at MSU, averaging fewer points his first two seasons than Torbert before blossoming. Coach Tom Izzo certainly believes Torbert is a star on the rise.

"There are great athletes and then there are great basketball players. It's not very often that there are great athletes who are great basketball players, but Kelvin is one of those special players," Izzo said.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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