Calvin Douglas is a Spartan

Calvin Douglas knows how to battle. Maybe more importantly, he understands what it takes to triumph. He has regained his health, set his academics in order and the result is a basketball scholarship just down the road at San Jose State.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Douglas is soon to finish up at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), which played in the state championship game a few weeks back.

But back at Antioch High in 2008, he was named the Bay Valley Athletic League Co-MVP after putting up these numbers as a senior: 22.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. By the way, Brandon Smith, now a guard at Cal, was the other awardee.

Then it was across the bay to play for Coach Justin Labagh's always successful basketball program. "I was there for two reasons: get an education and get to the next level," Douglas explained. "The competition was good, we worked hard everyday in practice. and it made me a better player. Plus, we had eight hours of study hall every week to focus on academics."

Also, indicative of his leadership ability, Douglas was named a captain for the Ram team this season.

His numbers in the final game of the 2009-2010 CCSF season are also demonstrates his effectiveness. Douglas' squad fell 63-57 to state champion Saddleback College despite his team-leading 16 points on 6-9 overall shooting, 4-7 on three-point attempts. He played 32 minutes, the most of any Ram.

All this despite a potentially fatal illness that nearly derailed his hopes and dreams. "Early in the season, I developed blood clots in my lungs," Douglas offered.

He needed time for recovery and eventually returned to play on January 5.

So what has he learned since his senior season at Antioch High? "I have become more defensive-minded and team-oriented and more interactive with my teammates since coming to CCSF."

And why did Douglas decide on San Jose State? "I took a visit there last week and felt a connection with the coaches. It was the quality of relationship I was looking for and it's always been a school I kept checking on."

Asked what position he will play and about his role, Douglas said, "I'll be trying to replace the two seniors Robert Owens and Mac Peterson. Plus, I'll be providing defense because that is something I take a lot of pride in playing. My defensive intensity and ability to shoot the trey will complement Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham."

Douglas also knows Spartan freshman Chris Jones and Aalim Moor from their mutual earlier playing days so he will have an instant bond with members of the current team.

Douglas concluded by thanking "all the people who have helped me.' He named basketball trainer and skill developer Phil Handy, Justin LaBagh and Adam D'Aquisto (his coaches at CCSF), club basketball team coaches Joe Fuca and Mark McKelvy plus family friends Will Brew and Pastor Jones [Chris Jones' father]. Douglas noted that the latter two called to check in how he was doing during his blood clots episode.

His numbers in the final game of the 2009-2010 CCSF season are also demonstrates his effectiveness. Douglas' squad fell 63-57 to state champion Saddleback College despite his team-leading 16 points on 6-9 overall shooting, 4-7 on three-point attempts. He played 32 minutes, the most of any Ram.

All this despite a potentially fatal illness that nearly derailed his hopes and dreams. "Early in the season, I developed blood clots in my lungs," Douglas offered.

He needed time for recovery and eventually returned to play on January 5.

So what has he learned since his senior season at Antioch High? "I have become more defensive-minded and team-oriented and more interactive with my teammates since coming to CCSF."

And why did Douglas decide on San Jose State? "I took a visit there last week and felt a connection with the coaches. It was the quality of relationship I was looking for and it's always been a school I kept checking on."

Asked what position he will play and about his role, Douglas said, "I'll be trying to replace the two seniors Robert Owens and Mac Peterson. Plus, I'll be providing defense because that is something I take a lot of pride in playing. My defensive intensity and ability to shoot the trey will complement Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham."

Douglas also knows Spartan freshman Chris Jones and Aalim Moor from their mutual earlier playing days so he will have an instant bond with members of the current team.

Douglas concluded by thanking "all the people who have helped me.' He named basketball trainer and skill developer Phil Handy, Justin Labagh and Adam D'Aquisto (his coaches at CCSF), club basketball team coaches Joe Fuca and Mark McKelvy plus family friends Will Brew and Pastor Jones [Chris Jones' father]. Douglas noted that the latter two called to check in how he was doing during his blood clots episode.

It was Fuca, who heads the Lakeshow MVP club basketball organization, who offered this about Douglas: "Calvin Douglas is the total example of hard worker. When he arrived on our team in 2007, he was a young inexperienced player who had great upside. Calvin and I did not hit it off at first. I was very hard on him because he was a part-time defensive player and a streaky offensive player. After a month or two of hard work, he turned into a full-time defensive player and improved his jump shot. Calvin was a true stopper on defense and improved his shot so he could count on his jumper."

Fuca added, "Calvin never turned down a challenge. I remember when he asked to cover the best player on Texas Select and he shut him down that day so we could move on in the bracket play. He is the perfect example of someone who keeps working to get better and pushing himself to become a better player all the time. Calvin also made a true commitment to get better in the classroom and he accomplished that in junior college so he could move on to D-I basketball. Calvin will be a perfect fit for San Jose State because of his passion on defense and his ability to score."