Where do I start or where should I begin. It all started back in 1987 when I first met his father Mike Saunders attending Westlane Middle School. We both like to play basketball and played on the 7th and 8th grade basketball team.
We have had a solid relationship for over 30 years without any arguments or fights or anything negatively. I like being around Mike because he was a good basketball player and he was left handed. He always would tell me in order to be a good player you gotta be able to go left and right.
As time past we also attended North Central High School from 1989-1993, but neither one of us played there and I don’t know why. It seemed like if you were in the system since 7th grade, you had a better chance of getting selected for the team.
After completing High School, Mike Saunders moved to California with his Uncle Freddy to start a new chapter of life. Their is where he met the love of his life (Nicole Saunders) and they fell in love and you know rest of story.
Moving back to Indianapolis with his new wife (Nicole) Mike Saunders Jr was born and I already knew what was becoming of the young man because of how skilled his father was. Mike Saunders Jr came into the world knowing what he wanted to be at an early age.
With major influences and family member (George Hill) NBA . The sky was the limit for young Mike at an early age. Playing in various competitions with championships to show, growing up playing the game he loves. The speed of game became easy for Mike because of the hard work and dedication put into his craft.
The quickness and ability to move so fast on the court is (Mike Saunders Jr) the ability to play within yourself and the system the coaches ask of you. Now, fast forward to today’s modern day and playing NCAA Division Basketball at Cincinnati means a lot.
Coach John Brannen recruited Mike when he was in the 7th grade and no wonder “Mikey” likes wearing Jordan name brand shoes. He was wearing them before becoming a freshman on campus and this fits his character just from knowing things about him.
He loves sneakers and so do I!! The nickname “Mikey” comes from Coach Brannen loving the kid he recruited to become the student athlete he is grooming to be.
Since the start of the season, Mike Saunders Jr has started off sluggish adapting to the College start but now that he is getting more playing time. He quickness is very noticeable to any team they play. It’s very hard to guard a person like that because he gets you going one way, just to cross you over to be on ESPN top 10 plays of the week!
Playing only 7 mins against UCF back on 2/14. Now being asserted into the starting lineup a couple of games. The numbers speak for themselves and 2 games Mike hit 100% from the 3pt line and I’ll take those percentages any day of week.
The true test for Mike was playing NBA Hall of Fame Penny Hardaway (Memphis Tigers) who last year seen there Big man James Weismann picked 3rd in the NBA to the Golden State Warriors. I had a chance to speak with Mike Saunders (Father) about the game, “Penny was talking crazy to my son about, he ain’t no guard, he can’t play”!
That fueled “Mikey” to showcase not only his quickness getting into the paint. But giving the opposing team (Memphis) a hard situation to deal with the Freshman productivity. Although getting his teammates involved early, the stat-line of having a career best (19pts) (3rebs) (2asst) (1stl) in 31 mins. Interesting stats would have better with a win and after the game “Mikey” spoke about not getting enough stops to complete the victory.
That was a break-out-game for (Saunders Jr). There’s more where that came from. Stay healthy during this pandemic!
SHOWTIME ARNETT SPORTS TALK 