Mr. Basketball

It seems like all we hear about these days are the bad boys of professional sports. Gambling, dogfighting, take your pick.

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing one who — with dignity and humility — redeemed the failing athlete image in my mind.

On Sept. 11, while the nation acknowledged and mourned the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day recognized the day in another way — honoring 1997 alumnus and NBA star Shane Battier by retiring his high school basketball No. 55 jersey.

Battier is best known for his exploits on the basketball court — he was 1997's "Mr. Basketball," led the Yellowjackets to their best-ever record of 26-1 and to three state championships (1995-97) — but few know of his accomplishments in the classroom where he graduated summa cum laude.

“Shane is the epitome of the scholar-athlete tradition,” said DCDS Upper School Athletic Director Kurt Keener, who is also the varsity basketball coach.

Keener said Battier was "never one to toot his own horn."

Faculty member Carol Keeler said he "never got caught up in all the bravado." Instead, was nurturing and empowering of the people who surrounded him.

In person, Battier personified all these things, and more. Namely, he was humble and modest about his accolades — he made you nearly forget that he's an NBA player. His unpretentious demeanor is something you don't find in many athletes, let alone professional athletes, and he had an uncanny way of making everyone around him feel exceptional.

In short, Shane Battier is a true role model and an inspiring athlete.