A Demon on court

The Journal staff

Chicago, Ill. Brandon Cole deflected a pass during five-on-five drills at De Paul University's storied Alumni Hall on Tuesday.

The scramble ensued.

As usual, the ball somehow ended up in the hands of Tom Kleinschmidt. He signaled for a play and the Blue Demons executed it.

"He's emotionally and physically the leader of our team," De Paul coach Joey Meyer said. "He's stepped up to the plate and led us in every game."

Kleinschmidt, a 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound senior, talks of having a "gift" and of knowing that things are going to happen before they actually occur on the basketball court.

It is this court awareness that has helped Kleinschmidt garner the Great Midwest Conference's player of the year award.

"It meant a lot to me," Kleinschmidt said of the league honor.

Kleinschmidt will lead De Paul (17-9) against the Cincinnati Bearcats (18-11) in the first round of the Great Midwest tournament at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bradley Center.

"They have beaten us eight times in a row, so we are pretty motivated," Kleinschmidt said.

Although Kleinschmidt was one of the more heavily recruited players in the country while starring at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago, he has been tagged as a "blue-collar" player.

Kleinschmidt, however, would dispute that.

"People sometimes say that I'm a self- made player, but I have some skills, also," Kleinschmidt said. "I think people see that."

Kleinschmidt is the first player in De Paul history to make the career top 10 in scoring, assists and steals. He has joined Mark Aguirre as the only De Paul players to post three consecutive seasons with 500 or more points.

What Kleinschmidt lacks in foot speed and leaping ability he tries to make up through out- working the opposition.

He spent last summer running Lake Michigan beaches and shooting 2,500 three-pointers a week.

"Hard work not only helps in basketball, but it can carry through life," Kleinschmidt said. "I always feel that I have this tremendous work ethic and that's going to always help me."

Not everyone felt Kleinschmidt was the top player in the conference.

Larry Finch, the University of Memphis' coach, was surprised by Kleinschmidt's selection as the Great Midwest player of the year.

"When you talk about the best individual player who's had the most impact you have to start with Lorenzen Wright {of Memphis}. I felt he should have been the most valuable player in this league."

It seems Kleinschmidt has been on the defensive throughout his career.

"I just have to go out and play," Kleinschmidt said. "I'm not going to worry about everybody else. I feel that I play a nice, consistent, all-around game. People say that I `can't do this' or `can't do that.' Well I just go out and do it. I just have to keep proving them wrong."

Kleinschmidt is hoping to close his career with a conference tournament title and a return trip to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

"I'm a senior and I haven't been there since I was a freshman," Kleinschmidt said. "I wasn't a very big part of that. I didn't play that much. This is my team and I want to get them back to the tournament."

When Kleinschmidt is finished with his collegiate career, he wants to play in the National Basketball Association.

"I can play more than one position," Kleinschmidt said. "I'll probably be a {shooting} guard, but I'll be able to give you a couple minutes at {small forward} and a couple of minutes at {point guard.} I have a variety of skills, so that's going to help me, too."

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