MCC’s Julian Lual signs with Division I Cleveland State
McCook Community College's Julian Lual, signed his letter of intent Wednesday to continue his basketball career at Division I Cleveland State University in Ohio.
MCC Coach Jacob Brandl said several Division I coaches inquired about Lual this fall. Lual entertained offers and considerations from Kent State, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Utah Valley and others, but ultimately decided on Cleveland State, a team that sent coaches to watch Lual play three times.
"It was a perfect fit for me. Cleveland State is a family atmosphere," Lual said. "Everybody looks out for each other and I feel like that's the best place for me to become the best young man I can be."
The 6-7 forward from Central Pointe Christian Academy in Calgary, Alberta, will continue his studies in business and entrepreneurship and will have three years of eligibility left after this season because of the Covid-19 exemption providing for an additional year of eligibility.
Brandl said while several potential schools were good fits for Lual, Cleveland State always stood out primarily because of interactions with Coach Dennis Gates and Assistant Ryan Sharbaugh.
"Getting to know the staff and Coach Gates and Coach Sharbaugh and everybody over there, I feel really comfortable sending him to Cleveland State," Brandl said.
The Vikings won the Horizon Conference earlier this year and played in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history. (The first was a memorable run in 1986 when as the 14th seed, upset Bobby Knight's No. 3 Indiana and went on to the Sweet 16.) Cleveland State went 19-8 last season, and Gates was named Horizon Coach of the Year. The Vikings finished at the top of their conference for the fifth time in program history.
"I like to win a lot. And they just won their league last year and I'd like to contribute to those wins," Lual said.
Lual got a taste of winning as a freshman in Brandl's first year as MCC coach on a team that played its way into the Region IX Tournament finals, but finished runner up in a 14-11 season. Lual played in 25 games during his freshman campaign where he averaged 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He shot 45.8 percent from the field, 29.1 percent (25-for-86) on 3-point shots, and made 24 of 49 free-throw shots (69.4 percent). He scored a career-high 24 points in the Region IX tournament when MCC knocked off top-seed Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne April 8. Following the season, he received honorable mention on the Omaha World-Herald all-Midlands team.
Lual said after experiencing college basketball in the spring, he went home and committed himself to improving and working hard. His coach has always been impressed with Lual's desire to win, and was pleased when his second-year start returned to campus after a productive summer.
"This summer was actually crazy, I'd have like three workouts a day and then I would go play full-court basketball at night." He said. He'd get up at 6 a.m., for his first workout, go eat and nap, come back at 12 for the second workout, and lift weights, then come back at 3 or 4 for his third workout before spending his nights playing five-on-five games.
"It definitely prepared me for the season," Lual said. In addition to his commitment to improve as a player he also worked to become a better leader and feels like he's gained confidence leading the guys everyday just by trying to be the best example he can be.
"The stats don't necessarily matter to him, as long as we get the 'W'" Brandl said. The coach said Lual has expanded his game but has always rebounded and defended really well. This season he's doing most everything at an extremely high level.
Through his first three games to start this season, Lual posted double-doubles in scoring and rebounds in three straight games before Tuesday's loss at Colby. For the season he's averaging 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, shooting 35.3 percent from the field, 31.3 from the 3-point line and 84.2 percent from the free-throw line. His 15 offensive rebounds and 37 overall rank 16th and 15th in the nation. He has nine blocked shots, which ranks him 13th in the NJCAA.
MCC has started the season 1-3 but Lual feels the sky is the limit for his current team.
"We're getting better every day and we want that Region IX championship," he said.
Both coach and player admit a strong bond with each other. Lual said his coach is always pushing him but that they've built trust with each other.
"I love him for sure," Lual said.
Lual is the first guy Brandl recruited and signed when he got the job at MCC last year and the coach is honored to have that first guy go on to a Division I basketball school, and a high level one.
"Cleveland State was a pre-season pick to win their conference again this season and with the pieces they have coming back it sets up perfect for Julian to have a good career there," Brandl said. "I'm looking for him to do something special there and very excited to have continue his career at Cleveland State."