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More than basketball

FSU freshman Michael Joiner is a virtual Renaissance man.

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 7, 2000

If you were to glance at Michael Joiner's biographical sketch, you might just draw the wrong conclusion.

Treasurer of his student body at Fayetteville (N.C.) Seventy-first High School. National Honor Society member. Latin club. Yearbook staff. Math club. President of the Students Against Violence Everywhere. Writes poetry. Church usher. Chess club.

The chess club? Sheesh.

That's hardly chic.

"People made it cool," Joiner said. "I was looked at as a role model and to spread the message to younger kids, to be involved and bring up their grades, I had to lead by example. Being in chess club and the math club came from my academic honors. I didn't look at it as being a geek. I really enjoyed being a part of those things."

His parents always stressed the benefits of getting involved in a wide-range of activities and it's a lesson he has embraced and carried to the nth degree. You can't help but notice when it comes to his favorite extracurricular activity:

Basketball.

Joiner, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound freshman forward, leads FSU in virtually every major category -- points (70, tied with Nigel Dixon), field-goal percentage (56.3), free-throw percentage (93.3), rebounds (27) and average minutes (33.2). He's second in steals (six) and defensive rebounds (18).

Simply put, he has been the brightest spot for the struggling Seminoles, who play host to intrastate rival South Florida tonight.

"I think that Michael Joiner will be one of the better players in the ACC," Florida coach Billy Donovan said after his team's opener against FSU. "He's as good as any freshman we'll probably face this year. He's outstanding."

Perhaps more impressive than his 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from the line against UF, Joiner inbounded the ball against the relentless Gator press and helped get the ball across midcourt with startling effectiveness and calmness.

"He's one of the most composed young men I've seen on the basketball court in a long time," FSU coach Steve Robinson said. "Michael is ... very confident in his abilities and, so far, he's been able to back up that confidence level with his play."

Given FSU's disappointing record, Joiner plans to raise the level of his all-around game.

Not hopes, mind you.

Plans.

"It's time for me turn it up another notch and show my whole ability," he said. "I'm not going to say I've been holding back, but it's time to really take it up and play like I did in my state championship game (last year) from now on."

He scored a state-tournament record 36 points on 15-of-24 shooting, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots, an MVP-performance in a 78-74 loss to Winston-Salem Reynolds High.

"His show was the best anybody had seen," his coach, Bernie Poole, said. "Ever. And that's for the 4A championship. That's the top class. It was like he was going to put it on his shoulders. He blossomed. ... But then, he's always been a hard-working kid and a good person. He's special."

Others use adjectives such as rare and unique. And not just when describing his basketball skills. Even though the sport, like so many others, has become a year-round venture for the elite player such as Joiner, Mr. Basketball in North Carolina last season, he zealously has pursued a smorgasbord of interests.

"My husband (Vincent) and I have tried to steer him in other directions so he would be able to say, at least, "I've been exposed to more than the gym,' " his mother, Priscilla, said.

"It comes down to time management," Joiner added. "It's getting your life situated and your priorities right. That comes from my parents."

Most agree that the skills he has cultivated from diverse activities have helped ease his transition to college.

"Michael's a well-rounded young man with what he's been able to accomplish, not only on the basketball court but off," Robinson said. "He has set himself up to be successful with his work ethic, his attention to detail, his strong will and his passion."

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