Future Bearcat ‘Biggie’ Ready for New Challenge

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 25, 2007 – This past weekend, seven foot two inch, 240 pound center Anthony ‘Biggie’ McClain ended a recruiting period marked by changes of mind and intense courtship, picking the University of Cincinnati as his future college home. For McClain, who averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds and around six blocks a game as a high school senior this year, it’s the ending of one phase of his life, and the beginning of another.

“It was a stepping stone in my life, and it’s time to move on” said McClain, when asked to expound upon his feelings leaving National Christian Academy (Fort Washington, MD) for Cincinnati. “It’s going to be a lot different; being around them (the NCA family) we grew on each other”.

Central to that is his relationship with Trevor Brown, who not only invited McClain to attend NCA three years ago while Anthony was still living in Trenton, NJ, but has done much more since. “He’s like a mentor and guardian to me” shared McClain, “I’ll always call him for advice”.

When it came to deciding upon competing scholarship offers from Cincinnati, UConn, and Tennessee, McClain indeed sought the counsel of Brown, who looked favorably on Cincinnati even before Anthony’s visit. “I think he’s going to do really well there” noted Brown, who has helped a multitude of players make their college decision. “I knew he was going to like it…I’ve been there before and they have good kids and players, along with good coaches; I looked into all that and know a few of them personally”.

Trevor Brown, on McClain’s visit to UC: “He enjoyed it…He didn’t want to come home”.

The visit sealed it for ‘Biggie’ – a shortening of the moniker ‘Biggie Talls’ that Brown gave him. “It was good, I love the campus and the surrounding city, it reminded me of home” said McClain of his official ‘Nati tour. He also likes the current players, all young men he feels will “be good to play with”.

The coaching staff at Cincy also played a central role in his decision, as Anthony stated “Coach (Mick) Cronin and Coach (Tony) Stubblefield (who was the lead recruiter) are good coaches”, and over the course of his recruitment proved themselves to be trustworthy and concerned for his well being.

McClain, shown here working against Ralph Sampson at last year's NBA Player’s Association Camp, has the chance to earn major clock at Cincy. “They said he was going to get as many minutes as he can play…It’s wide open for him” noted NCA's Brown.

On the court, that equates to developing Anthony to the center’s fullest. Already possessing good quickness, balance, shot blocking instincts and a willingness to actually play in the paint like a center – something Brown insisted from the beginning – Bearcat fans may eventually be surprised by McClain’s seldom seen shooting touch; something he will continue to improve. “Me and Coach talked about that. The gym is open 24 hours” he said. “I can always get up shots. The gym is going to be home”.

Further advancing Anthony’s game, in Brown’s (center) estimation, will be the Big East. “They have real big men there” he said “where the ACC has centers that become face up fours (power forwards) when they go to the league”.

What’s most noticeable about McClain has nothing to do with the increase in strength, skills, or competitiveness achieved since arriving at National Christian, but the greater sense of maturity he exhibits. “I didn’t have a choice, I had to grow up. I can’t be a kid forever” he stated, about growing up as a person.

The willingness to travel to the nation’s heartland, something some East Coast kids wouldn’t consider, was natural to McClain, given not only his maturity, but also personality and past experience. “I’ve always been away from home” said Anthony, referring to traveling to the D.C. area from Trenton, for high school. “It doesn’t bother me. I can adapt to the surroundings.

“I wanted to go away for school anyway. I wasn’t really too keen about going close to home”.

‘Biggie’ McClain’s journey to Cincy begins in mid-June. As he put it, “I’m, starting all over again”.

True, and if his experience at National Christian is any barometer, McClain will not only continue to develop as a hooper, but will impact the UC community as well.

Congratulations Anthony. You will be missed not only by the National Christian Community, but by the i95Ballerz.com family as well.

For previous coverage of McClain:

NCA Classic All-Tourney
NCA Classic First Day
NCA vs PCA
NCA vs Riverdale Baptist
Capital Classic 07
Capital Classic Unsigned Notes