Stagg senior John Contant doesn’t possess the hops to just jump out of the gym. Nor does he boast the foot speed that causes a head to snap side to side.
But the 6-foot-4 guard can play basketball. He can shoot. Rebound. Pass. Has a high basketball IQ. In other words, he’s a complete player, not an athletic freak.
Make no mistake.
Contant has shown more than enough athleticism. That he has gone unnoticed by Division I colleges sounds eerily similar to the saga of Stagg product Max Strus, a 2014 graduate.
Although the 6-6 Strus could jump out of the gym and was a scoring machine for the Chargers, he ended up at Lewis. He tore it up for two seasons on the Division II level, then decided he needed a bigger challenge.
In late April, Strus committed to DePaul. He’s sitting out this season due to NCAA transfer regulations.
Just like with Strus, Stagg coach John Daniels is perplexed Division I schools aren’t showing more interest in Contant.
“I believe the best is yet to come from John,” Daniels said. “He hasn’t hit his peak. I think schools are missing the boat on him.”
As of now, local NAIA schools St. Francis and St. Xavier have shown the most interest in Contant. But where are the likes of UIC, Loyola or any of the other state schools?
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Contant may need a year or two to develop, but the reward would be worth the risk for the player Daniels refers to as Stagg’s “closer.” It’s a title associated more with baseball.
Think Aroldis Chapman.
But during crunch time, when the Chargers need to protect a lead or rally from a deficit, Contant has been the go-to player.
“We want the ball in his hands at the end,” Daniels said. “He’s our guy. His will to win is incredible.”
Contant played the role of closer to perfection Friday against Sandburg. It was the type of performance — against a rival and in front of raucous student sections — that will be remembered for years.
Down six points in the fourth quarter, it was time for The Closer to be summoned.
“I didn’t have to say anything to him,” Daniels said of Contant. “He took the game over by himself.”
After attempting three shots and scoring only two points through three quarters, Contant contributed 17 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
He was clutch, with a putback of his own miss with 2.7 seconds left forcing overtime. His 3-pointer from the corner in OT with a Sandburg defender in his face gave Stagg a one-point lead.
With the Chargers ahead 52-48 in OT, he skied for a rebound and was fouled. He calmly knocked down both free throws — he finished 8-for-8 from the line — to put the bow on the win.
That’s how a closer operates. Crash the boards. Hit clutch shots. Convert free throws. Doing everything possible to lead his team to a victory.
“I just want to win,” Contant said. “I knew I had to get shots up. I had to find ways to get to the basket. Shooters keep shooting.”
Contant, however, is more than a shooter. The three-year starter is averaging 15 points, five rebounds and three assists this year.
Besides a 4.48 GPA and a 27 on the ACT, he’s also an outstanding leader.
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“John’s the first guy in the weight room and the last guy most of the time to leave practice,” Daniels said. “The other day, he was in the gym by himself taking an extra 100 free throws. He’s a kid of high character.
“Some college is going to get a steal.”
Totally agreed.
Twitter @disabato