Conklin Summer

[Cowboy]

-link..http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210125660&DB_OEM_ID=27200

-story doesn't mention his health but otherwise well done

FEATURE: How a ‘Conklin Summer’ Propelled a Basketball Career

Courtesy: Saint Louis Athletics Release: 06/02/2015

More Sharing Services

Brian Conklin wants to win. He dedicated an entire summer to it, and in return he helped deliver some of the biggest wins in Billiken basketball history. It also helped launch a professional basketball career that ensures he will forever be celebrated in two hemispheres.

Conklin’s path to success began early in his hoops career. The Eugene, Ore., native, was a two-time All-State selection at North Eugene High School. He led the Highlanders to a state championship and a perfect 28-0 record as a junior. He parlayed his successful prep career into a scholarship at Saint Louis University, where he scored more than 1,000 points and helped the Billikens to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in more than a decade while earning Academic All-America honors.

After graduating from SLU with a finance degree AND an MBA, Conklin returned to his hometown and awaited a call to play professionally. He landed in New Zealand, and within several years emerged as the MVP of Australia’s National Basketball League while playing with the Townsville Crocodiles.

Much of Conklin’s success can be traced back to the summer of 2011. It will forever be known in Billiken lore as the Conklin Summer.

Conklin was certainly enjoying a solid collegiate career through his first two seasons. He was a starter who was averaging 8.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

The 2011-12 season – his senior season – was the breakout year for Conklin. He scored 13.9 ppg and averaged nearly five rebounds a contest. Conklin was named first-team All-Conference. Most importantly, he helped the Bills win 26 games that season. The Billikens earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, kicking off a string of three-straight appearances in the NCAAs in what was one of the most exciting eras in the program.

But it was the work in the summer prior to that season – the Conklin Summer – that set the tone for the rest of his career. So, what exactly is a Conklin Summer?

“Ha, the mystical Conklin Summer, almost as majestic as the Billiken himself,” Conklin joked. “It was a culmination of knowing what my role on the team was going to be entering my final year. It was my senior year so I was going to give it my all and help the team win.”

Conklin describes the Conklin Summer as a lot of movement. Head coach Rick Majerus would continually talk to him about game shots, game spots and game speed.

“I generally worked out with a period of time in mind, not necessarily a number of shots,” Conklin said. “If I was in a rhythm I’d be there for an hour and a half. If I was sluggish, maybe 30 minutes. On average I would work out for about an hour at a time getting up game-speed shots. I’d roll the ball to myself in the post and work on footwork. I’d throw the ball of the backboard and gather and finish for offensive boards. I’d throw the ball out for pick-and-pops, flashes in the zone and rolls to the basket.

“Really, I just kept moving the entire time unless I was shooting free throws. I would sprint the floor and make a couple moves like was bringing it coast-to-coast to work on ball-handling.”

Conklin indicated there was a lot of imagining. He would envision players guarding him a certain way and make moves to the basket as such, of course, at game speed.

Conklin also knew he would get to the line a lot his senior year, so he practiced free throws and kept a chart to track his percentage. And this is where the Conklin Summer paid dividends for himself and the Billikens. In SLU’s NCAA Tournament opener against Memphis, Conklin went 9-for-10 from the line over the final four minutes to help the Billikens seal the thrilling seven-point win over the Tigers in Columbus, Ohio.

“When I was walking to the free-throw line late in the Memphis game, all I told myself during my dribble routine was how I had already envisioned this in the practice gym at Chaifetz Arena,” he said. “This moment, shooting free throws, with the game on the line in the NCAA Tournament. I felt like I had already done it before.”

He did. During the Conklin Summer.

[WeBsTa03]

This is a great story and i hope all the young players read this.

[SLU_Nick]

HATE HATE HATE

During that Memphis game, watching pretty boy Pastner look helpless on the sideline...that might have been the happiest I've been as a Bills fan. Basically standing in my living room the entire game...

I still have that game taped...When Kwam drilled the long three with the shot clock running down...

The announcer saying..."He hit that one from the parking lot!!!"

Man, we need to get back to the Dance.

[ACE]

HATE HATE HATE

During that Memphis game, watching pretty boy Pastner look helpless on the sideline...that might have been the happiest I've been as a Bills fan. Basically standing in my living room the entire game...

I still have that game taped...When Kwam drilled the long three with the shot clock running down...

The announcer saying..."He hit that one from the parking lot!!!"

Man, we need to get back to the Dance.

I heard Pastner on local radio right before the game talking about RM playing a triangle and two against Arizona years earlier, back when Pastner was a bench warmer there. Pastner said they were preparing in practice to the triangle and two. Haha! I knew RM had gotten in his head and figured we'd find a way to win it.

[Clock_Tower]

This article is a great read. Refreshing. Thanks for posting. Old school techniques of a kid who had/has passion for the game. RM always spoke of "passion" -- Conklin. No mention of high priced trainers, coaches, etc. No mention of AAU ball, other players, tournaments, travel/hotel rooms. Instead, simply an over-achieving kid with a basketball and an open court - and passion for the game/to get better. Larry Hughes... once in lifetime (sorry, generation... b/c Jayson is on his way to Chaifetz). But why not more kids like Conklin? Maybe that determination is equally hard to find. I sure hope not.

[billiken class of 15]

HATE HATE HATE

During that Memphis game, watching pretty boy Pastner look helpless on the sideline...that might have been the happiest I've been as a Bills fan. Basically standing in my living room the entire game...

I still have that game taped...When Kwam drilled the long three with the shot clock running down...

The announcer saying..."He hit that one from the parking lot!!!"

Truly unforgettable.

[Box and Won]

HATE HATE HATE

During that Memphis game, watching pretty boy Pastner look helpless on the sideline...that might have been the happiest I've been as a Bills fan. Basically standing in my living room the entire game...

I still have that game taped...When Kwam drilled the long three with the shot clock running down...

The announcer saying..."He hit that one from the parking lot!!!"

Man, we need to get back to the Dance.

Fast forward to 1:22 if you're into the whole brevity thing.

http://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2012-03-16/mitchell-carries-saint-louis-past-memphis

[Littlebill]

Fast forward to 1:22 if you're into the whole brevity thing.

http://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2012-03-16/mitchell-carries-saint-louis-past-memphis

Kwam was on another level that game. Dude was unreal.

[slufan13]

Brian Conklin ‏@BrianConklin14 8m8 minutes ago

It's a BOY! Proud to announce I have a little son on the way. Looking forward to shooting hoops until… https://instagram.com/p/3hEsuMH7yM/

[JMM28]

Brian Conklin ‏@BrianConklin14 8m8 minutes ago

It's a BOY! Proud to announce I have a little son on the way. Looking forward to shooting hoops until https://instagram.com/p/3hEsuMH7yM/

Offer that kid at least a preferred walk on spot. Class of 2034.

[Bobby Metzinger]

Oh man, that NCAA Video link also had the MSU post-game presser video of Coach Majerus/Conklin and Kwamain...

That's just raw emotion coming out of Brian Conklin. That little boy is going to grow up with one hell of a Dad. Conklin should get a standing ovation every time he steps onto the floor at Chaifetz. He epitomizes the heart and soul of our basketball program and if there's one video highlight of SLU basketball over the last ten years a recruit should watch it's his pick against UW and that press conference. That's what it means to be a Billiken.

[Taj79]

I happen to believe this kid ---- and a few others in the era ----- define and serve to separate Majerus from just about everybody else. He might have been a demanding ass and antisocial buffoon in practices and life, but he could identify those rare kids that possessed not only skill but this kind of work ethic. The kind of kid who, when yelled at, corrected and even embarrassed did not sulk, but turned that into a fire inside and pushed himself to achieve and prove "Coach" wrong. I see similar traits in Evans, Mitchell, Jett. McCall, Loe, Ellis, Remekun and even Cassity and Barnett. Saw it in Lisch; not so much in Liddell. As a matter of fact, I'd bet Majerus would have left TLIII at the bus stop if he were recruiting him back then.

I don't see similar dedication on the current roster outside Crawford and Roby. But it might come.

And I don't think Jim Crews would know it if it jumped up and bit him. Don't think that so much of a knock on Crews as it is a measure unattainable by about 330 or so D1 coaches today. That, to me, made Majerus special in terms of "talent" evaluation. He seemed to know which kid would buy into him and his system and he patented it.

[Old guy]

Bobby, Conklin will get old as all of us do, and as his kid grows he will be faced with many issues, he will have triumphs and defeats. By the time the kid is old enough to go to college the Conklin you know and remember may have changed into something mellower. I think we all do one way or the other.

[Basketbill]

I happen to believe this kid ---- and a few others in the era ----- define and serve to separate Majerus from just about everybody else. He might have been a demanding ass and antisocial buffoon in practices and life, but he could identify those rare kids that possessed not only skill but this kind of work ethic. The kind of kid who, when yelled at, corrected and even embarrassed did not sulk, but turned that into a fire inside and pushed himself to achieve and prove "Coach" wrong. I see similar traits in Evans, Mitchell, Jett. McCall, Loe, Ellis, Remekun and even Cassity and Barnett. Saw it in Lisch; not so much in Liddell. As a matter of fact, I'd bet Majerus would have left TLIII at the bus stop if he were recruiting him back then.

I don't see similar dedication on the current roster outside Crawford and Roby. But it might come.

And I don't think Jim Crews would know it if it jumped up and bit him. Don't think that so much of a knock on Crews as it is a measure unattainable by about 330 or so D1 coaches today. That, to me, made Majerus special in terms of "talent" evaluation. He seemed to know which kid would buy into him and his system and he patented it.

You are right about RM first couple classes but his last ones he missed on the character..... crews seems to have corrected that with the cutting loose of Drew, McBroom, and Glaze, it will be interesting all his kids although his first year of recruits was recruiting on short notice..... We shall see

[Bobby Metzinger]

Bobby, Conklin will get old as all of us do, and as his kid grows he will be faced with many issues, he will have triumphs and defeats. By the time the kid is old enough to go to college the Conklin you know and remember may have changed into something mellower. I think we all do one way or the other.

For sure, OG. Was just complementing the young man on personifying what it means to be a true "student-athlete" in today's college basketball landscape. he was a rare breed.

[Taj79]

I do not disagree basketbill ---- my question would be how much real input and how much real devotion did he have in those guys? And don't be confused -- Majerus had a whole bunch of swings, misses and whiffs. Cotto. Thompson. Smith. Jordan. That led to the cutting of players, the practrice which some find distasteful. And he also cut Anthony Mitchell and Knollmeyer and Maguire when he came on board. I understand he told Marcus Relaphord he was going to be used in a way Relaphord did not care for; Relaphord went to Colorado. No one bats 1.000.

Majerus' last recruting class was Carter and Drew. And if memory serves, he got Carter at the initial signing period but I can't recall when he got Drew. The class before that was Manning and Glaze. It is my contention that the real rift with Biondi and Majerus began when the "situation" erupted and Majerus lost arguably his two best players for 2010-11. At that point, I and some others believe, his course was charted --- he was ending his run with this buffoonish President who talked the athletics talk but didn't walk that walk. So he half-heartedly signs Manning and Glaze. He likes and is intrigued by Carter --best guard since Andre Miller if I recall --- so he's happy with that. And maybe he says "sure, c'mon board" to McBroom as well. Again, I contend his master plan is unaffected by these people. Carter is a "just in case" safety blanket.

But he gets sick prior to that season and Crews is given the interim reins. Carter, now without the guy he signed with, bolts mid first term. Drew redshirts. Majerus dies in December 2012. Drew is evaluated by Crews and found to have no real role on the team. He is cut. Majerus' involvement in recruiting that whole year is non-existent; he's dying and facing more important things. So to me, the whole 13-14 freshmen class is on the current staff. That's Lancona, Agbeko and Crawford. They are so not ready, Crews has to run the seniors into the ground to accomplish what he does. But there is no development of those new kids. Heck, we don't even know if there is talent to develop.That is all on Crews and the clock on the Crews era has started. He may have been "the man" for Carter and Drew but we'll let that slide for now. Yacoubou said he liked what he saw with SLU when we beat him and Nova in Anaheim under Majerus in Conklin's senior year of 2010-11 when he was a freshman at Nova. He remembers that and he likely thinks that's our norm despite the coaching change and Majerus' health. So he signs on probably thinking more about Majerus than more about Crews. But again, sincerely doubt Rick had any real hand in Yacoubou involvement. But anybody would take Ash as a former four-star recruit. So it's not really a gamble.

Then this year's six recruits are all on the current staff. So out of the 13 "newbies" since Majerus went ill, I think Majerus gets partial/full credit for one --- Carter. And say what you want about him and Valpo but I think he would have been real good under Majerus. All the rest? Crews. Nothing really on Crews for McBroom and Yacoubou. Not his doing. He missed on Drew. He missed on Lancona. He is currently missing on Agbeko. Crawford and Roby are passable. Yabroud has talent but the jury is still out. Same with Bartley. Jolly, Gillmann and Reynolds? Not impressed just yet. Neufeld, Welmer and Bishop? The track record can only go up becuase if itgoes down ................ no comment.

Majerus had a knack but he was not infallible. I don't think Crews has the same knack (few do) but I also don't see Crews and staff developing the talent he gets either. Who teaches the point guards? Bronson? Platt? Cheaney? Crews? Who teaches the bigs? Bronson? Platt? Cheaney? Crews? So

there's no warm and fuzzy in my Crews' warm and fuzzy.

[JMM28]

I'm guessing Majerus didn't have much to do with Ash transferring here since he was dead for 6 months before Ash transferred from Nova.

I think Crews fell a little into that "looks like a basketball player" trap as opposed to real basketball players that may not look the part.

[Scoop]

Speaking of Conklin Summers...any word on any of our current Bills training this summer?

[JMM28]

Speaking of Conklin Summers...any word on any of our current Bills training this summer?

Everyone has put on 15 lbs of muscle, lost all their fat, has been shooting a lot every day, and/or looks better than ever.

[jbizzle09]

I do not disagree basketbill ---- my question would be how much real input and how much real devotion did he have in those guys? And don't be confused -- Majerus had a whole bunch of swings, misses and whiffs. Cotto. Thompson. Smith. Jordan. That led to the cutting of players, the practrice which some find distasteful. And he also cut Anthony Mitchell and Knollmeyer and Maguire when he came on board. I understand he told Marcus Relaphord he was going to be used in a way Relaphord did not care for; Relaphord went to Colorado. No one bats 1.000.

Majerus' last recruting class was Carter and Drew. And if memory serves, he got Carter at the initial signing period but I can't recall when he got Drew. The class before that was Manning and Glaze. It is my contention that the real rift with Biondi and Majerus began when the "situation" erupted and Majerus lost arguably his two best players for 2010-11. At that point, I and some others believe, his course was charted --- he was ending his run with this buffoonish President who talked the athletics talk but didn't walk that walk. So he half-heartedly signs Manning and Glaze. He likes and is intrigued by Carter --best guard since Andre Miller if I recall --- so he's happy with that. And maybe he says "sure, c'mon board" to McBroom as well. Again, I contend his master plan is unaffected by these people. Carter is a "just in case" safety blanket.

But he gets sick prior to that season and Crews is given the interim reins. Carter, now without the guy he signed with, bolts mid first term. Drew redshirts. Majerus dies in December 2012. Drew is evaluated by Crews and found to have no real role on the team. He is cut. Majerus' involvement in recruiting that whole year is non-existent; he's dying and facing more important things. So to me, the whole 13-14 freshmen class is on the current staff. That's Lancona, Agbeko and Crawford. They are so not ready, Crews has to run the seniors into the ground to accomplish what he does. But there is no development of those new kids. Heck, we don't even know if there is talent to develop.That is all on Crews and the clock on the Crews era has started. He may have been "the man" for Carter and Drew but we'll let that slide for now. Yacoubou said he liked what he saw with SLU when we beat him and Nova in Anaheim under Majerus in Conklin's senior year of 2010-11 when he was a freshman at Nova. He remembers that and he likely thinks that's our norm despite the coaching change and Majerus' health. So he signs on probably thinking more about Majerus than more about Crews. But again, sincerely doubt Rick had any real hand in Yacoubou involvement. But anybody would take Ash as a former four-star recruit. So it's not really a gamble.

Then this year's six recruits are all on the current staff. So out of the 13 "newbies" since Majerus went ill, I think Majerus gets partial/full credit for one --- Carter. And say what you want about him and Valpo but I think he would have been real good under Majerus. All the rest? Crews. Nothing really on Crews for McBroom and Yacoubou. Not his doing. He missed on Drew. He missed on Lancona. He is currently missing on Agbeko. Crawford and Roby are passable. Yabroud has talent but the jury is still out. Same with Bartley. Jolly, Gillmann and Reynolds? Not impressed just yet. Neufeld, Welmer and Bishop? The track record can only go up becuase if itgoes down ................ no comment.

Majerus had a knack but he was not infallible. I don't think Crews has the same knack (few do) but I also don't see Crews and staff developing the talent he gets either. Who teaches the point guards? Bronson? Platt? Cheaney? Crews? Who teaches the bigs? Bronson? Platt? Cheaney? Crews? So

there's no warm and fuzzy in my Crews' warm and fuzzy.

For someone who doesn't like to speculate, there is a whole lotta speculatin' going on in your post. Also, it appears you are just kinda making up facts to fit into your theory which entails Majerus just gave up on recruiting because of bad blood with Biondi.

Drew was signed by Majerus during the 2011-12 season, shortly after Carter. McBroom was picked up shortly after the season ended after a scholarship opened. Your contention is that Majerus had completely checked out due to health by this time and that Crews may have been partically, if not largely, responsible for that entire recruiting class and that Drew being a miss is "on Crews."

While we all know Majerus died in December of that year, I find it hard to believe that Crews was a major factor in the previous year's recruiting class. He came on board a couple of weeks before that season started as a favor to Majerus to fill in for Jensen. Carter was signed pretty much at that time and the decision was made on Drew in the fall. While you can contend that Majerus had nothing to do with McBroom due to his failing health at the time, Majerus was also kicking the tires with SMU that spring and even flew down to talk to them about the possibility of signing a big contract. (They ended up hiring Larry Brown.) At least during that time, he was active to a degree.

[JMM28]

I'm not going to call Agbeko a miss at all. Down the stretch he was fairly productive which also coincided with being healthy and actually getting minutes. He averaged 6ppg/6rpg/60%FG in the last 8 games. Only the VCU game he played under 20 minutes. That is fairly strong production from a soph who played under 100 minutes as a freshman.

You know what he needs the most? A gotdamn Conklin Summer.

[Box and Won]

Crawford and Roby are passable.

If by passable you mean adequate/average, I'd say Roby is quite a bit better than just passable.

I share JMM's excitement for Agbeko as well.

[SLU_Nick]

I've already completely given up on Reggie (Go see my angry typing in gameday threads). I would be more encouraged if he was a normal sophomore, but he is 22 years old. His coordination is just not there and he travels every time he touches the ball.

It's June, so I hope he is working on his big man game and does not think he is going to catch it at the top of the key and drive to the hoop.

Right now I really just want him to provide Grandy Glaze value (but with a good attitude).

[TheA_Bomb]

Agbeko is 22 but he hasn't played BB that long and we see some flashes of great ability. I hope it comes together.

All the revisionist history is so draining.

Also no mention of Conklin's werewolfishness in that entire article. That's the key to recruiting do it during full moons.

[slufan13]

The Crews era began last year. His "young" team finished 298 in kenpom. Majerus' finished 129th. I'm interested to see this year play out. I'm not a Crews fan and I don't have high expectations, but this coming year will be telling IMO.

We have 6 guys in one recruiting class. That was a mistake. Some will transfer probably. Hopefully it's the lesser guys that leave and not the good players who want to win.