Mike Glover finally delivered on his enormous college hoops potential last season. Turns out finding the right college program makes all the difference.
Especially for a new dad.
A monster 2010-11 season (18.4 points, 10.1 rebounds a game) placed the Iona senior on the shortlist for most major awards and on the track for an NBA career, which wasn’t always the case. The 6-6 wing had talent, but after his Seton Hall career resulted in no games played, the Bronx native had to go elsewhere to play.
That meant going west to Eastern Utah, then committing to St. Francis in 2010. But a coaching change convinced Glover to enroll at Iona instead. By that time, he was looking for some stability and a place where his new family could grow.
As Adam Zagoria writes in this fantastic Glover profile, that meant going closer to home so his son, Michael Jr., and his girlfriend, Alissa Carter, could be part of a larger family.Mike Sr. tries to include Mike Jr. in his own life as much as possible. He brings the boy to practices, where he stretches with the team, all the home games and even on the road once in a while.
“I try to have him at every game possible,” Mike Sr. said . “I want to always be a part of his everyday life despite that I’m always on the road. Every chance get as far as the home games and the road games, he must be there.”
Iona coach Tim Cluess likes having Mike Jr. around the gym because he notices a change in the boy’s father when he is.
“I think when his son is here Mike always plays harder so I like having his son here,” Cluess said.
Glover’s eyeing a pro career once he’s done at Iona. Cluees says the NBA’s a possibility, but his ball-handling and passing skills will need work, along with his jumper.
But I’m guessing Michael Jr. will be there to provide motivation.
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