"Biggie" McClain proud of time at UC
Cronin: He's been a positive influence on the program

By Bill Koch • bkoch@enquirer.com • January 25, 2011


The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
Considering where he grew up in Trenton, N.J., Anthony “Biggie” McClain considers reaching this stage in his life a major accomplishment.

Life is different when you’re seven feet tall. You hear a lot of silly jokes about your height. You’re constantly asked if you play basketball and if you do, you’re expected to be a superstar by virtue of your size alone.

Just ask Anthony “Biggie” McClain, the University of Cincinnati’s 7-foot, 290-pound senior center who has heard just about every insensitive comment there is about being so tall.

“As I got older, things like that don’t bother me,” McClain said. “I pay it no mind. My teammates tell me you’ve just got to ignore the ignorance sometimes. That’s basically what I do. I’ve got other things to worry about. Strangers that say something to me is the last thing I worry about.”

McClain is the third 7-footer in UC basketball history. When he signed to play for UC there were visions of him becoming the powerful low-post force that Roy Hibbert was for Georgetown a few years ago.

But as his senior year winds down, McClain has not become a star. He hasn’t even played that much, averaging 7.1 minutes and 2.1 points in 87 games over three and a half years.

McClain will likely assume his usual spot on the bench Wednesday when the Bearcats (17-3 overall, 4-3 in the Big East) tip off against Rutgers (12-7, 3-4) at 9 at Fifth Third Arena.

But he’s coming off one of his best outings of the season, scoring four points and grabbing six rebounds during a crucial 8-minute stint in the first half of UC’s victory at St. John’s on Saturday.

“I showed everybody what I could do if I got the chance to do it,” McClain said.

There was a time, McClain said, when his lack of playing time bothered him, but he says he has put that behind him.

Off the court, he says he has grown immensely during the past four years. Two weeks ago, he became the father of a baby girl, Jayeen, and he’s on track to graduate at the end of spring quarter with a degree in criminal justice.

Considering where he grew up in Trenton, N.J., he considers reaching this stage in his life a major accomplishment.

“I grew up in one of the roughest places in New Jersey,” McClain said. “A lot of my friends were getting locked up. A lot of them were getting shot.”

To extricate her son from the mayhem, McClain’s mother, Vivian, sent him to National Christian Academy in Prince Georges County, Md., where, as McClain put it, “I could be drama free and away from everything, where I could focus on school and basketball.”

As it became obvious that he was not going to play a lot at UC, McClain said some of his friends urged him to transfer to a school where he could get more playing time, but McClain wanted to finish what he started at UC.

“He hasn’t played as much as he or I would have liked,” said UC coach Mick Cronin, “but he’s been a positive influence on the program. This day and age most kids in his situation wouldn’t have handled it with the class and dignity that he’s handled it.

“He has gone through a lot in his life emotionally. He’s gone through a lot of instability. I think the reason he has stayed here is this is the first place he’s found stability in his life.”

Now McClain says he’s determined to make sure his daughter has the stability that he didn’t have.

“I didn’t have a father growing up,” McClain said. “I didn’t actually meet my father until I was 19 years old. My big thing is just being there for her every step of the way.”

In a few more months, McClain’s college basketball career will be history. He didn’t become a 1,000-point scorer or an All-American, but has tried to make the most of his college years in other ways.

“It’s crazy how fast it’s going,” McClain said. “I used to get down on myself about what have I accomplished since I’ve been here basketball-wise, but I’m just proud and grateful for the situation that I’m in, because a lot of people where I’m from they didn’t get a chance to go to college.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110...of-UC-time

He's been productive every time he has gotten in a game this year. Great 2 minute stretch last night while Gates was taking a breather. Made a tough shot, grabbed some boards, played solid D, and had a nice pass that led to a crucial basket.

He can give us 5 quality minutes a half. Play him!

If UC hadn't been in rebuilding mode and needed bodies, Wilks and McClain probably would have been redshirted along the way.

Can you imagine if we had both coming back next season? Sheesh.

I'm really concerned about our low post depth next year.

Biggie is a really wonderful feel good story this year. You can't help but be happy for him.

I just hope he get's some more minutes, because I think he can finally contribute.

I think Biggie should be splitting time with IT, at a MINIMUM. I just don't think Ibrahima has earned more pt than Biggie right now.

Biggie made one of the most athletic moves I've seen in his time here for a layup. Then made a nice pass out to Cash who found Rashad open for the three, then got a rebound and a long pass to Rashad for a dunk. He really provided the spark that separated us and put the game away. Great to see.

Probably deserved more than the 2 minutes o playing time that he got. Just sayin'.

Is he good enough to play overseas and make money?

(01-27-2011 04:31 PM)Fubar Wrote:  Is he good enough to play overseas and make money?

Mick said he was on the pregame show. Not making that up. Mick said a guy like Biggie, at 7', is going to play somewhere after he leaves UC.

Actually, I'm beginning to believe that.

(01-27-2011 04:54 PM)Vottomatic Wrote:  

(01-27-2011 04:31 PM)Fubar Wrote:  Is he good enough to play overseas and make money?

Mick said he was on the pregame show. Not making that up. Mick said a guy like Biggie, at 7', is going to play somewhere after he leaves UC.

Actually, I'm beginning to believe that.

no doubt he will play. there are so many different levels of pro ball overseas.

I really want to see him getting 10 min a game. Anybody but IT at this point. Biggie will rebound, take up space, make shots around the basket and catch the ball if throw to, something IT can not do.

I think he should be getting 5 mins a half. That would also keep Gates alot fresher.

i would like to see Biggie in more....and Thomas needs to come off the bench FO SHOH!