By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Hardships can lead to blessings if a person makes a lot of right decisions.
Along his journey toward graduating high school, Michael Lee took up organized basketball. Lee developed a deeper bond with the game he grew up loving in Frayser. Gaining exposure to coaching from men like Ryan Ross and Nic Buford, Lee’s skills grew to gain college attention.
So after he graduated from Munford High School in May, Lee was the guest of honor at graduation parties thrown by his mother Kristi, father Randy and stepmother Stacey. Those gatherings also doubled as a signing party as Lee inked his letter of intent to play college basketball at Bryan College in Dayton.
“It’s a blessing, I am very appreciative for the opportunity to take my talents to the next level and get my college paid for,” Lee said.
Lee, the older brother of sisters Kaitlin, Grace and Madisyn, said every step along his journey to reaching his dream was worth it. The Class of 2022 graduate has taken on a job while in high school, had a coaching change his sophomore season and endured his parents separation at a tender age.
Five years ago Lee moved from Memphis to Munford.
“I was trying to fit in,” he recalled. “My parents split up about that time. So there were a lot of changes going on. I am appreciative of my family out here at Munford. Everybody is close. Everybody is pretty nice and gets along. I especially appreciate the staff here, they did a good job with me.”
Lee said Munford Principal Dr. Courtney Fee and her team made his adjustment to a new environment flow smoother. The other key factor to help Lee become a true Cougar was hoops.
“It’s been the one thing that has stayed consistent the whole time with changes with my parents,”Lee added. “Figuring out where I was going to stay. So I can say it was the one thing I had a consistent family even with the Coach Nic from Coach Ross change. It’s been a blessing.”
Buford said once he returned to Munford after coaching in Millington he was blessed with a 6-foot, 6-inch multifaceted guard/forward.
“Glad is an understatement, to walk into a situation with a guy who can shoot the ball like that,” he said. “It took away some worry. Wait, it took away a lot of worry. I could sleep maybe an extra 10 minutes because of that.
“Good kid, that’s the No. 1 thing for me,” Buford continued. “What a good kid. A lot of people don’t know this but the young man has a job. He’s had a job since I got here. To play basketball, to be a full-time student and do things like that, that says a lot about his character. You can’t replace a character like that.”
Through one-on-one conversation Buford learned about the maturity of Lee. Time on the hardwood proved Lee had the skills to be a leader for Buford’s squad in many phases of the game.
“To speak on his versatility, a 6’6 high school kid, you’ve got a chance to play at the next level and get a free education,” he said, “he’s a prime example of a three-level scorer. Someone who can defend the post and perimeter. I’m sad to see him go but extremely proud of who he is and where he’s going.”
Lee can hit the three-pointer with ease. His mid-range game is accurate and he can attack the basket for points. Those skills are heading to the NAIA’s Appalachian Athletic Conference to play for Bryan. The Lions are led by Head Coach Don Rekoske. He’s entering his 18th season and Rekoske has more than 300 wins in his career.
Lee said thanks to Buford pushing and challenging him on the court, he is ready for anything Rekoske throws at him.
“It was difficult at first,” Lee said of adjusting to Buford. “It was a lot of changing up. There were a lot of things I wasn’t used to. Since I’ve been little, I’ve been a point guard my whole life. Until I hit that growth spurt and things changed. It was a lot but I am really thankful for it because it will help me out in college. I will be all over the place there.”
Lee said he’s just happy his next place for his education is Bryan. He said sticking with basketball has given him a gateway to his future and will help him become something he wants to be down the road.
Buford said Lee’s stop along his life’s journey at Munford has been a blessing to the coaches and his former teammates. Several Cougars were present for Lee’s signing ceremony.
“I just hope they see the grind and keep pushing without us,” Lee said.
With the program finishing among the top of the district and reaching Regionals, Lee said he hopes his alma mater will continue the progression. Buford said Lee’s work ethic and perseverance made him dependable and a great role model.
“It makes me proud of myself,” Lee said, hearing his coach say that. “You go through life and you never really realize what you’re doing. And you finally get to see how much you’ve really done and the impact you’ve had on others, you take a step back and be proud of yourself for once.”
