Kremer making some waves

Not to be overly dramatic because the final act of this particular recruiting story has yet to be written but think about how your life might have been different if you didn't meet a certain person who turned out to be critical in your path to success or if a communication opportunity to your benefit wasn't utilized?

Pleasant Valley High's Kevin Kremer played with the Los Angeles-based California Supreme travel team this summer. His 16U squad participated on the Nike Sponsored Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit and his teammates included the sons of three former NBA players -- Shaquille O'Neal, Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) and Marques Johnson.

How did this happen, especially for a kid out of Chico? Kevin's father, also named Kevin, has the details.

"A couple of summers ago, my son went to a basketball camp at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas. The father of Nigel Williams-Goss (formerly of Washington, now at Gonzaga) was there and I introduced myself to Virgil and asked him about suggestions for greater exposure."

"Virgil said, 'why don't we take a look at your son some time and I'll make some suggestions for travel teams.' Later after some two-a-day workouts, Virgil told me 'your son is quite a player.'" That led to the younger Kremer playing with the I-5 Elite, the Portland-based top team in the state of Oregon.

This past summer, Virgil Williams-Goss connected the Kremers with the California Supreme team and "it was an opportunity for my son to rise to the occasion." The talent level of both teammates and opponents was much higher than ever before.

"At the Double Pump Best of Summer tourney (in Los Angeles), a teammate taps Kevin on the shoulder and said 'Shaq wants to see you.' Shaq starts talking with Kevin, giving him pointers." Afterwards, Shaq came up to me and said, "I really like your son, every team needs a player like this."

So what did O'Neal mean? "He liked the intangibles Kevin was providing, his playing unselfishly, his passing, crashing the boards and attacking the basket."

In late July when the California Supreme was playing in the Big Foot Las Vegas Classic tournament, another another basketball icon offered his support. Ivorie Manning, known as the Shot Doctor and someone who has worked with multiple NBA players as well as collegians, said to the elder Kremer, "Your son has really got a lot of potential."

Now standing 6-foot-5, Kremer and Pleasant Valley are coming off a 21-6 season in which he averaged 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocked shots a contest. The 2018 prospect, who has already been offered by UC Davis, will be positioned at the point this season.