Kyle LeGreair, a graduate assistant for the Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team, has joined the staff immediately after concluding his playing career for the Titans.
LeGreair, who is from Detroit, was a former guard forDetroit Mercy for four seasons.
LeGreair explains how playing the game gave him discipline, an outlook on life, and overall, a multitude of benefits. Although he gained so much from playing basketball, he wanted a new perspective.
LeGreair said transitioning from point guard to coach has similarities, but it is important to understand where they differ from the amount of responsibility that comes with the job. As understanding the game of basketball is hard enough, the art of taking the acquired skills and applying that to a teaching style is needed to create a good environment.
“Being a point guard, the similarities consist of being able to know every call, watching film and just a next level understanding of the game,” LeGreair said. “The differences start with being able to have a new level of responsibility of knowing not only your team but teams you need to play against as well.”
LeGreair was inspired to focus on this new chapter byHis former coach, Donnie Marsh, a former assistant with the Titans.
“The impact he had on me as a player and all of the effort he put into making me a better player changed my career and is the type of impact that I want to have on players,” LeGreair said.
Although LeGreair left playing basketball behind, some of his teammates have continued forward playing the game. Mak Manciel, a current Titan who played with LeGreair last season, explains sometimes it is hard to see the new changed role, but not impossible because of the personality LeGreair has.
“Kyle has always had great leadership roles and tried to keep us in line the best way he could as a teammate,” Manciel said. “He always inspired himself as well others.”
As Kyle has inspired so many of his teammates, he has some advice for student athletes to guide them through a career path that may be unexpected.
“You will need to be humble starting out,” LeGreair said. “There are going to be good and bad moments, but that will happen throughout life. Every experience you go through has value to it and cherish the rough patches.”
