The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

Scheyer, Collins to have numbers retired

When Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men’s basketball head coach, was watching Glenbrook North play Proviso West in a basketball game on Dec. 28, 2005, alumnus Jon Scheyer (‘06) scored 21 points in the final 1:24 in a failed comeback attempt.

“It was one of the most incredible performances I had ever seen from a high school player, but it didn’t shock me,” said Krzyzewski. “Every time Jon went out on the court, he was outstanding and had a chance to be exceptional.”

Also present was GBN alumnus Chris Collins (‘92) who was then an assistant coach for the Duke men’s basketball team. Collins watched Scheyer, who had already committed to play for Duke, nearly break the GBN record Collins held for most points scored in a single game with 54.Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 3.24.40 PM

“I was coming down the floor with under 10 seconds left when I had 52 points,” said Scheyer. “I was pushing the ball and I spun off the guy and [the referees] called it a push-off when, really, it was a foul on him. I should’ve been shooting two free-throws to tie [Collins’] record but I got called for an offensive foul and I fouled out.”

Athletic Director John Catalano said Scheyer and Collins, who were both named McDonald’s All-Americans after their senior season in high school, will be honored for winning Illinois Mr. Basketball. The award is presented annually to the state’s best high school basketball player. The ceremony is set to take place on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Main Gym prior to a varsity basketball game. Wall plaques beneath the main scoreboard will be unveiled in their honor. According to Catalano, Collins’ and Scheyer’s high school numbers, 20 and 23, will also be retired by the GBN basketball program.

Scheyer and Collins both said sharing the honor with each other will make the night even more special.

“It’s an incredible honor [to have my number retired],” said Collins. “Where I am today in the game of basketball as a player and now as a coach, it all goes back to the time I spent in the Main Gym when I was a young guy.”

After Collins played at Duke, he became an assistant coach there and helped in recruiting Scheyer.

“[Scheyer] and I had so much in common, so when it came time to recruit him I never felt like I was actually recruiting him,” said Collins. “Every time we spoke we just talked about what he was going through over at GBN. It was kind of like me reliving my own journey. There were so many parallels. We’re both wired the same way…We just instantly connected.”

Collins said since their time at Duke together, he and Scheyer joke about who had the better basketball career at GBN.

“[Scheyer] always says that I went to his school, but I always say that he went to my school,” Collins said.

David Weber, current GBN boys basketball head coach, said he pushed for the retiring of both Collins’ and Scheyer’s numbers. Weber, who coached Scheyer at GBN, said Scheyer’s playing style makes him comparable to NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton.

“[Scheyer] was a great point guard and shooting guard,” said Weber. “He could shoot the three, handle the ball and he was a phenomenal passer. He just had great instincts out on the court, which is something you just can’t teach. He could do it all.”

Scheyer said he chose to wear the number 23 at a young age because of his admiration for Michael Jordan. He said because he is superstitious, he continued to wear 23 in high school.

“My other favorite number is seven,” said Scheyer. “When I got to Duke, 23 was retired so I decided that since 23 plus seven is 30, I would wear that number. Also, my best friend [at Duke] Gerald Henderson, who now plays in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets, chose to wear number 15. So it was perfect that I could be 30 because it’s twice as good as 15.”

Collins said  he chose to wear the number 20 throughout his playing career because of his father, Doug Collins, a former NBA player and head coach.Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 3.16.32 PM

“My father, who is very special to me…wore 20 in college and in the pros and my sister wore 20, too,” said Collins. “That’s why it’s so special for number 20 to go up [in the gym]. To me, it’s not my number going up there. It’s my family’s number.”

Krzyzewski said he brought Collins onto his coaching staff because of his “incredible feel for the game,” adding that he is like an “encyclopedia” when it comes to his knowledge of basketball.

When Collins was offered the head coaching position at Northwestern, he brought Brian James, his coach while at GBN, onto his staff as an assistant. James said after coaching under Doug Collins in the NBA for many years, he noticed that Collins shares many of the same traits as his father.

Two years ago, Scheyer joined Duke’s basketball staff as a special assistant. After an assistant coaching position opened at Duke this past spring, Krzyzewski offered Scheyer the position.

“Jon is a natural, both as a player and as a coach,” said Krzyzewski. “He is totally immersed in [the game] and he doesn’t let pressure get to him at all. He’s a natural. Like in the movie ‘The Natural,’ Jon should’ve starred in that movie.”

Scheyer, Collins and James all said that they plan to attend the Dec. 19 ceremony.

“One of my favorite moments was when [Scheyer, Collins and I] won the 2010 National Championship at Duke,” said Krzyzewski. “I got to see the embrace of Jon and Chris after the game and that was a great, great moment. I’m glad that their high school is honoring them. It’s going to be a very special night for Glenbrook North.”

Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 3.17.51 PM

Alumnus Jon Scheyer (‘06) plays his final high school basketball game against then Simeon  guard Derrick Rose in the state quarterfinals. Scheyer scored a game-high 18 points in Glenbrook North’s 61-44 loss. Rose scored 14 points. Torch file photo
Alumnus Jon Scheyer (‘06) plays his final high school basketball game against then Simeon guard Derrick Rose in the state quarterfinals. Scheyer scored a game-high 18 points in Glenbrook North’s 61-44 loss. Rose scored 14 points. Torch file photo