Despite detours, Pilgrim living professional dream

Jayson Ameer Rasheed
Cincinnati Sports Examiner

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. Read More...

Source: Examiner.com