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Thad Shymanski goes from high school 6th man to college starter

Posted at 11:29 PM, Jan 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-08 23:29:52-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Thad Shymanksi has taken over the starting point guard role this season for the Calvin Knights and has played well, averaging 10.8 points per game, good for second on the team.

Shymanski was the sixth man two years ago for Grand Rapids Christian High School, when the Eagles were Class A state runner-up.

"I was always confident in my abilities to play," Shymanski said.  "I just had to adapt to the role of being a sixth man, and I was okay with that because we were winning, and I just wanted to do whatever it took to win. And so coming here and being able to show off my ability a little more, I think that really helped me to develop into who I am."

Playing with the likes of Xavier Tillman (Michigan State), Duane Washington Jr. (Ohio State), Seth Millner (Cleveland State) and James Beck (Oakland) has helped shape Shymanski, he says.  "Guarding them everyday in practice and playing with them has helped me develop farther as a player."

"He has come to our camps since he was a little squirt," Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek said.  "He played on such a great high school team (that) he only played here and there a little bit. But one of the games I was at, one of the guys he was backing up got in foul trouble, and he played a lot. And I said, 'Man I think that kid can be a college player, can really help us.' I think even he's surprised just a little bit at the success that he's had, but he certainly has done a great job for us."

Calvin takes on rival Hope for the 199th time on Wednesday night at Van Noord Arena.