April 2018 | Vol. 18 Iss. 04
FREE NEW DAD, NBA PROSPECT AND MURRAY HIGH GRADUATE DAVID COLLETTE
has quite a story to tell his son By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
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even years ago, about all prep basketball star David Collette had to worry about was not tripping on his graduation gown, as he accepted his Murray High School diploma and prepared to leave for his LDS Mission in Charlotte, North Carolina. But times change. Now, the best basketball player to ever come out of MHS not named Johnsen has a new baby – his first, with wife McElle – along with memories of his first-ever trip to New York City, for an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) final four, at fabled Madison Square Garden. And when his son is old enough to understand such things, Collette can tell him a story that starts with “every University of Utah basketball fan knew exactly when you were due to be born.” The story can end with, “that’s why, son, every cloud has a silver lining.” Due to irritating things called “deadlines,” this story is being written the day (March 22) after the University of Utah defeated St. Mary’s in Moraga, California (just east of Oakland), 67-58 in overtime, to punch their ticket to the Big Apple. But, unfortunately, this is also the day before McElle was to give birth – after being induced into labor – nearly a week past her due date. It’s also five days before the Utes’ first NIT semifinal game since 1992. As you read this, those things have happened. Most important, hopefully the new mom and baby are well. Secondarily, perhaps Utah is the NIT champion. But just reaching the final four makes that silver lining about as bright as can be for a Murray graduate who was disillusioned by a coaching change at Utah State, following his only season in Logan, after returning from the mission field. Collette left Cache
Murray High and University basketball player David Collette battles for rebounding position. (U of U Athletics)
Valley after being voted Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2015. Then he had to pay his own tuition at the University of Utah for a year, when he lost a season of basketball eligibility (due to NCAA rules) along with the accompanying scholarship money. That first major basketball cloud, came with a silver lining
named Larry Krystkowiak. “I was recruited by Utah and Utah State (as a Murray High senior) and finally decided to join (head coach) Stew Morrill’s team, in Logan,” Collette said. “When he recruited me, I understood he would be around for my entire career. So when he left after that first season, it didn’t feel like a good fit anymore. Continued to Page 2
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