There are certain teammates you never forget. Not just because they could play, but because you shared dreams together.

One of those players for me was my AAU teammate Travis Eisentrout from Berlin Brothersvalley High School. He was one of the best shooters around. A natural scorer who could fill it up from anywhere on the floor. Defenses had to respect his jumper every time he crossed half court, and when he got hot, there wasn’t much anyone could do.

When both of us committed to West Virginia University, I was excited. Not only because we were getting the opportunity to play Big East basketball together, but because he was supposed to be my roommate. That made it even bigger. We were about to start the next chapter of our lives together.

Then, at the last minute, everything changed. His scholarship was pulled. I remember being upset because I knew the type of player he was and how much he deserved that opportunity.

Instead of letting that moment define him, he kept going. He continued his career at Liberty University before transferring to IUP where he was the leading scorer, eventually transferring to California University of Pennsylvania. Ironically, after I was dismissed from WVU, Cal U became the place where our paths crossed again.

Life has a funny way of working. Sometimes the road doesn’t go the way you planned, but that doesn’t mean your story is over.

That’s why I enjoy writing these stories.

People only remember the stars who made the NBA or played on television every week. But Western Pennsylvania has produced countless outstanding basketball players whose stories deserve to be told.

My former teammate was one of them. He could flat-out score. He could really shoot the basketball. And he’ll always be one of the talented players I’ll remember from my generation.

 

Q: Growing up in Berlin Brothersvalley, when did you realize basketball could take you beyond high school?

A: Honestly, it was probably after my first game as a freshman. I was fortunate enough to get the start that night and had a nice game against a team with two talented guards who were among the best players in our section the year before.

 

Q: What do you remember most about your high school career and the success you had there?

A: At the time, I really didn’t think about it too much, but when I finished high school, I was the 11th all-time leading scorer in Pennsylvania history. In the 25 years since, I believe only two players have scored more points than I did, one of them being Syracuse legend and current head coach Gerry McNamara.

 

Q: What was it like earning a scholarship to West Virginia University?

A: I was invited to attend WVU’s team camp the summer after my junior year with some of their other recruits and ended up playing some of the best basketball of my life that week. Our team played in the camp championship game against a team from New York that had another high-level point guard who was a Top-50 prospect. I ended up scoring 36 or 38 points against him in the camp championship game, and our team won. Immediately after the game, Coach Catlett offered me a scholarship, and I committed on the spot. At the time, it was a dream come true. Playing in the Big East and at WVU was my ultimate goal.

 

Q: When your scholarship was taken away before arriving at WVU, how difficult was that moment emotionally?

A: Terrible. I had been verbally committed to WVU for months, and all of the other schools recruiting me had already moved on because I had turned down their offers. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I knew I had to stay focused and let my skills and work ethic do the talking.

 

Q: Looking back, what kept you motivated instead of giving up on basketball?

A: I was taught from day one that to make it in this world, you have to be both physically and mentally tough. Giving up was never really an option for me.

 

Q: What did your time at Liberty University teach you as both a player and a person?

A: Liberty was a very different and unique college experience, but as time has gone on, I’ve been able to look back and appreciate it. I’ve always considered myself a hard worker, but I think the daily grind of being a Division I athlete really opened my eyes to what the human body is capable of and the effort it requires to compete at that level.

 

Q: What led to your decision to transfer to California University of Pennsylvania?

A: A lot of people don’t remember or realize it, but I actually played my sophomore year at IUP before ending up at Cal U. I had a solid year at IUP and led the team in scoring, but it just wasn’t a good fit for my playing style, and I knew I wanted and needed a change. Coach Brown at Cal U welcomed me with open arms, and I knew that’s where I wanted to finish my college career.

 

Q: How did your game evolve throughout your college career?

A: In a good way, it just got simpler. Less dribbling, learning to play without the ball in my hands, and playing a more physical and deliberate style of basketball.

 

Q: Who were some of the coaches and teammates who had the biggest impact on you?

A: Even though he was never officially my coach, I have to shout out my dad first and foremost. He’s the one who lit the fire in me and provided me with every opportunity he could. I also have to mention two of my college coaches: Mel Hankinson at Liberty and Bill Brown at Cal U. Those two guys were very different, but each was great in his own way. As far as teammates go, there are just too many to name, but I really think our AAU team was special. During the three-plus years I played AAU, I had the opportunity to play alongside more than 20 Division I recruits. Nowadays, that’s almost unheard of unless you’re fortunate enough to play on a Nike EYBL team.

 

Q: Looking back now, is there anything you would change about your basketball journey?

A: I had a good freshman year at Liberty and had other opportunities to stay at the Division I level when I decided to transfer, but I would have had to redshirt if I went to another Division I school. Not wanting to sit out, I decided to go Division II so I could play right away. Even though I don’t regret how things ultimately played out, sometimes I wonder what my career might have become if I had stayed in Division I.

 

Q: What advice would you give young athletes when life doesn’t go according to plan?

A: “Keep your head down and keep working.” Nothing good in life comes easy, so if you’re not willing to sacrifice for the life you want, you’ll always be sitting around wishing it would happen instead of making it happen. I tell my two boys every day, “No one cares. Keep working.”

 

Q: Finally, what does basketball still mean to you today?

A: Basketball always has been and always will be a huge part of my life. The friendships, opportunities, and experiences the game has given me are things I’ll always cherish. Right now, though, my two young sons have reignited my passion for the game. They’re both obsessed with basketball and have already dedicated themselves to it. Training them almost every day and providing them with every opportunity I can has become my focus. Hopefully, their passion stays strong, and basketball provides opportunities for them just like it has for me.