Every Thursday, I take time to recognize former WPIAL and City League athletes whose accomplishments deserve to be remembered.
This week, I’m shining the spotlight on Stan Grandy. If you followed Pittsburgh high school basketball around the turn of the century, you knew exactly who he was. A standout at Brashear High School, Grandy was one of the area’s most gifted scorers in the Class of 2000. He had the ability to put points on the board from anywhere on the floor and was one of the toughest offensive players to defend during his era. Also was a stand-out football player.
For me, this feature is also personal.
Stan and I were AAU teammates, forming the backcourt together during a time when Western Pennsylvania was producing some outstanding basketball talent. Competing alongside him gave me a firsthand look at his work ethic, competitiveness, and ability to score the basketball.
Too often, great players from our era don’t get talked about enough. That’s one of the reasons I created Throwback Thursday, to preserve the stories of the athletes who helped shape Pittsburgh basketball.
Q: For people who never got to see you play, how would you describe your game and what made you such a difficult scorer?
A:I was fearless and fun to watch. I was a lockdown defender who could shoot the three, knock down the mid-range, and finish at the rim.
Q: Looking back, what are your favorite memories of playing at Brashear High School?
A: Playing against Schenley, Perry, and New Castle. Those games were always packed.
Q: The Class of 2000 produced some outstanding talent in the WPIAL. What do you remember most about competing during that era?
A: Playing against Dave Young and Desmond Wetzel and holding my own. I scored 26 points against them.
Q: We were AAU teammates in the backcourt together. What do you remember about those summers, and how did AAU basketball prepare you for the next level?
A: First of all, playing with you was amazing because we were so much alike. We didn’t care who we were playing, we came to kick your ass. I wish I would’ve listened to my dad and moved to Penn Hills to play with you in high school. AAU prepared me well because we kept seeing the same great players we beat, along with new competition.
Q: Who were some of the toughest defenders or players you had to face during your high school career?
A: Courtney Wallace, Ricky Richberg, Dave Young, Aaron Jackson, Kevin Brockman, and Jonathan Hartgett in AAU.
Q: Every great scorer has one game they’ll never forget. What was your best performance, and why does it stand out?
A: It was a triple-overtime game against Perry. Perry had our other running mate, James “Boo” Jackson, and I scored 49 points while I was injured.
Q: Who were the coaches, teammates, or mentors that had the biggest impact on your basketball journey?
A: Coach John Boris, Bob Gottlieb, Clarence Battle from Ammons, Coach Raj, and Coach D from Superstars.
Q: How do you think basketball in Pittsburgh has changed from when we played compared to today’s game?
A: Players have a little more exposure now because of what we helped build. I honestly believe if you took the top eight players from our AAU team and put us in Philadelphia, New York, or Maryland with the same exposure, we’d all be McDonald’s All-Americans. I also think the AAU circuit is washed up now because there’s too much money involved. Back then, you had to earn your spot by trying out. Money had nothing to do with it.
Q: What advice would you give young players today who dream of playing college basketball?
A: Learn the game. Learn the fundamentals. Work hard and listen to the people who came before you.
Q: Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of, and what do you hope people remember about Stan Grandy as both a player and a person?
A: I’m most proud of the father I’ve become. Basketball taught me the value of teamwork and hard work. I want people to remember that I was a walking bucket and someone who always gave back to his community.