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Spring Fling Hoop Thing: Hoops legends Camel and Chavez go from players to role models
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
Legendary Montana basketball star J.R. Camel has been giving lessons to rivals at the Spring Fling Hoop Thing ever since it began a dozen years ago.
But at Saturday's 13th annual 3-on-3 event at Montana ExpoPark, Camel was more interested in the education that fellow Native American Mike Chavez received at the University of Montana — and of what that example means to the Indian culture.
"I'm excited as heck for Mike," said Camel, referring to Chavez's recent graduation from UM. "Any chance I get I try to talk to him about being an example and an influence on young kids — Shoot, he's an influence even on me. Mike Chavez did it, despite all the adversity, and so can a lot of kids."
Camel, 33, was a hoop star for the Grizzlies more than a decade ago. Chavez, 24, recently completed a successful hardwood career for the school. But the real achievement for Chavez is the degree he received, with a double major of Native American Studies and Anthropology.
"When you have ups and downs," said Chavez, "it makes you appreciate things a lot more."
One of the most heralded high school players in Montana prep history, the 6-foot-7 Chavez played significant minutes for the Grizzlies as a true freshman in 2002-03. A three-time state champion in basketball at Heart Butte and Browning, Chavez was famous in Big Sky Country before he was 17 and seemed destined for collegiate glory.
But following initial success in Missoula, academic and personal troubles ensued and Chavez did not play basketball for two straight years. Montana's Indian Reservations are filled with stories of high school stars who flamed out in college, a path that seemed probable for Chavez from 2003-05.
But he persevered.
"I had some doubts," Chavez admitted, while waiting to take on Camel's team in the championship game of the featured Top Dog Division at the Spring Fling. "But I just bit the bullet. I knew I'd come out a lot better if I could tough it out."
Both in the classroom and on the court. He finished his UM hoop career with back-to-back productive seasons. Two years ago, he was a solid reserve on the Grizzly team that won the Big Sky Conference tournament title and upset Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
"That was huge, playing Boston College in the NCAA Tournament (second round)," Chavez said. "I never would have imagined I'd of been playing at that level."
Where Chavez was once something of a matinee idol for kids in northcentral Montana, now he's somewhat of a role model. It's an obligation he willingly accepts.
"I wanted to play college basketball, Division I basketball," Chavez said. "If what I did shows kids on the reservation that they can do it, too, that's great. It's very possible if kids want to work hard."
Was all the sweat, blood and tears worth it?
"Oh definitely. It was," said Chavez, who said he may attend graduate school at UM in the fall. "All that hard work makes you appreciate everything more, too. ... You've got to enjoy it as much as possible, because before you know it, you're all done."
Chavez and Pete Conway, the former Montana State star, played on the same team Saturday. Though they eventually lost in the Top Dog championship to Camel's squad, it was a memorable day at Montana ExpoPark. Conway, an MSU graduate who teaches and coaches in Harlem, is another success story.
"It's difficult being a student-athlete," said Conway. "And then all the other kinds of pressures that were forced on Mike. But he made it through. It was a great thing to see him graduate."
Camel lives in his hometown of Ronan with his wife, Malia, and young daughter. The family is expecting another baby any day now, so the $1,500 championship prize money from the Hoop Thing will help a little bit.
Camel, who helps his brother Zach coach the men's basketball team at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, said the Great Falls event is always a great time. On Saturday, the former great Grizzly point guard displayed trademark hustle and hops to spark his team past the team of Chavez and Conway.
It was the third year in a row that Camel has played on the championship Top Dog team at the Spring Fling Hoop Thing.
"It's still fun, man, especially playing with the all the young guys," said Camel.
The event is annually sponsored by the Alliance For Youth. A record 244 teams competed under sunny skies in Saturday's 13th annual event.
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
Legendary Montana basketball star J.R. Camel has been giving lessons to rivals at the Spring Fling Hoop Thing ever since it began a dozen years ago.
But at Saturday's 13th annual 3-on-3 event at Montana ExpoPark, Camel was more interested in the education that fellow Native American Mike Chavez received at the University of Montana — and of what that example means to the Indian culture.
"I'm excited as heck for Mike," said Camel, referring to Chavez's recent graduation from UM. "Any chance I get I try to talk to him about being an example and an influence on young kids — Shoot, he's an influence even on me. Mike Chavez did it, despite all the adversity, and so can a lot of kids."
Camel, 33, was a hoop star for the Grizzlies more than a decade ago. Chavez, 24, recently completed a successful hardwood career for the school. But the real achievement for Chavez is the degree he received, with a double major of Native American Studies and Anthropology.
"When you have ups and downs," said Chavez, "it makes you appreciate things a lot more."
One of the most heralded high school players in Montana prep history, the 6-foot-7 Chavez played significant minutes for the Grizzlies as a true freshman in 2002-03. A three-time state champion in basketball at Heart Butte and Browning, Chavez was famous in Big Sky Country before he was 17 and seemed destined for collegiate glory.
But following initial success in Missoula, academic and personal troubles ensued and Chavez did not play basketball for two straight years. Montana's Indian Reservations are filled with stories of high school stars who flamed out in college, a path that seemed probable for Chavez from 2003-05.
But he persevered.
"I had some doubts," Chavez admitted, while waiting to take on Camel's team in the championship game of the featured Top Dog Division at the Spring Fling. "But I just bit the bullet. I knew I'd come out a lot better if I could tough it out."
Both in the classroom and on the court. He finished his UM hoop career with back-to-back productive seasons. Two years ago, he was a solid reserve on the Grizzly team that won the Big Sky Conference tournament title and upset Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
"That was huge, playing Boston College in the NCAA Tournament (second round)," Chavez said. "I never would have imagined I'd of been playing at that level."
Where Chavez was once something of a matinee idol for kids in northcentral Montana, now he's somewhat of a role model. It's an obligation he willingly accepts.
"I wanted to play college basketball, Division I basketball," Chavez said. "If what I did shows kids on the reservation that they can do it, too, that's great. It's very possible if kids want to work hard."
Was all the sweat, blood and tears worth it?
"Oh definitely. It was," said Chavez, who said he may attend graduate school at UM in the fall. "All that hard work makes you appreciate everything more, too. ... You've got to enjoy it as much as possible, because before you know it, you're all done."
Chavez and Pete Conway, the former Montana State star, played on the same team Saturday. Though they eventually lost in the Top Dog championship to Camel's squad, it was a memorable day at Montana ExpoPark. Conway, an MSU graduate who teaches and coaches in Harlem, is another success story.
"It's difficult being a student-athlete," said Conway. "And then all the other kinds of pressures that were forced on Mike. But he made it through. It was a great thing to see him graduate."
Camel lives in his hometown of Ronan with his wife, Malia, and young daughter. The family is expecting another baby any day now, so the $1,500 championship prize money from the Hoop Thing will help a little bit.
Camel, who helps his brother Zach coach the men's basketball team at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, said the Great Falls event is always a great time. On Saturday, the former great Grizzly point guard displayed trademark hustle and hops to spark his team past the team of Chavez and Conway.
It was the third year in a row that Camel has played on the championship Top Dog team at the Spring Fling Hoop Thing.
"It's still fun, man, especially playing with the all the young guys," said Camel.
The event is annually sponsored by the Alliance For Youth. A record 244 teams competed under sunny skies in Saturday's 13th annual event.
