Mercy’s Marin Making a Strong Impact
By Dan Jacobson
DOBBS FERRY, NY - “Basketball doesn't
build character it reveals it,” an unknown author once said.
For one Flushing, NY native this old maxim rings particularly true.
Michael Marin came to Mercy College as a raw student-athlete with
tons of potential and has now come out on the other side as a
talented and much wiser man.
“I’ve matured more and have grown both mentally and
physically,” Marin said. “I’ve become more of a
man since I came in here as a freshman with a young
mentality.”
In his junior year, Marin is fulfilling his potential and making
quite an impact on the East Coast Conference (ECC). He is second on
the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game and is among the
conference leaders. He had his best game of the year against the
New York Institute of Technology (12/12/07) when he dropped 27
points on them.
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Michael Marin |
Marin has an all-around strong game and contributes in all
facets of the game. He is first in free throw percentage on the
team, second in three-pointers made, second in blocks, third in
assists and fourth in rebounding.
Head coach Tony Staffiere feels Marins’ versatility is his
best attribute. “You can’t sleep on him because he can
beat you to the basket or beat you from behind the arc.”
Marin credits his success to his coaches, his father, hard work
and a new frame of mind. “It’s confidence. I think I
had the talent to do what I’m doing now, but it was all
mental,” said Marin. “I’ve been given the green
light by the coaches and players and now I’m just playing
basketball.”
The junior guard’s father, Octavio, has always helped Marin
become a better basketball player. He’s the first to tell him
when he’s done a good job, and not shy about helping him
improve. “I look up to my father and I still look to him to
tell me what I’m doing wrong,” Marin said.
Marin started playing basketball at the age of eight and
hasn’t stopped playing since. He went to St. Francis
Preparatory School and played against some of the nation’s
best players. Marin enjoyed great success while at St. Francis and
averaged 16.3 points per game and received All-CHSAA and All-City
honors.
“It was a great experience. It was definitely good playing
against the best competition in the country,” he said.
Now a student-athlete at Mercy College, working towards a degree
in health sciences/physical therapy, Marin is enjoying his success,
but knows there is always room for improvement.
“I’d like to improve on the consistency of my shot and
get a little quicker,” the junior guard said.
Staffiere also wants Marin to improve upon his on-the-ball defense
because next season he will be the team’s
“go-to-guy.” The Mavericks (7-16, 6-10) will lose four
seniors, including guards Chanze Wellington and Paul Flowers to
graduation, which means Marin and his teammates will have to pick
up their slack. Wellington leads the team in scoring with 12.3
points per game and Flowers is third with 11.4. Flowers leads the
team in steals with 2.6 per game, which is good for fifth in the
nation. Forward Keiron Guy and guard Victor Sidberry will also be
graduating, which will take away from some of the team’s
depth.
Marin and Staffiere still have their eyes on the prize: the ECC
tournament. “We’ve had a couple of heartbreakers and
pulled out a few thrillers, but the conference tournament is still
in our sights,” Staffiere said.
With the chance of a tournament berth looming, Marin notes the
tremendous growth of the program. “Since I’ve been here
there’s been some huge changes,” said Marin,
“There’s more school spirit for the team and coach
Staffiere is doing a good job.”
Together Marin, Staffiere and the rest of the Mavericks can make a
big difference in bringing this program to the top of the
conference in the near future.
