By Gary Van Cleave
Special to hutchpost.com
BENNINGTON - Many have questioned Talan Pickering being tall enough to play college basketball, but nobody can question the Kansas-wide sized heart of his.
“I was doubted many times throughout my childhood and high school from others because of my size,” the 5-foot-9 Bennington Bulldog said. “So I feel like making it to college and proving them wrong was a huge success for me.”
Pickering, whose sweat is embedded in gym floors from having taken over 50 charges, will continue his basketball talents at Bethel College in North Newton this winter.
“I am really excited because I have dreamed about playing at the next level since I started dribbling and playing basketball,” Pickering said. “I love to inspire younger kids and show them they can do whatever they want, it just takes dedication and hard work.”
It was that hard work by the tractor-trailers full that allowed Pickering to follow his dreams another four years.
“I am 5-9, 160 (pounds) and people were just saying how I’m too small to go anywhere and all I can do is shoot,” Pickering noted. “So then I wanted to prove them wrong again, so I decided to start working on my finishing around the rim.”
“When I hear stories like this, it gives me both annoyance and hope at the same time,” recent Bethel graduate Jalyn Todd said.
“I get annoyed because realistically, people who believe they have the right to tell someone that their dreams are not achievable are the same people who personally did not meet their goals at that age. So they spin that doubt onto others,” the 6-5 forward from Edmond, Okla., said.
“However, it gives me hope because a real athlete loves doubt,” Todd continued. “That doubt can be made into motivation. The motivation to prove them wrong. The motivation to prove yourself right. And clearly, this kid found that motivation and I hope he continues to prove himself right and the doubters wrong.”
Pickering put up some notable numbers his senior year averaging 11 points, four rebounds and three steals per game. Over his four seasons as a Bulldog, he averaged 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals a game.
After his freshman year was when reality served a solemn reminder to the guard who had the potential.
“There were some times where I would lose a little focus and not be in the gym for a couple weeks,” Pickering said. “That was after my freshman year, but I am very grateful and glad I refocused on my dreams.”
His re-focus on the game of basketball eventually opened up visits to Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference schools like Kansas Wesleyan and McPherson before an official visit to Bethel.
“It felt like I could’ve gone to any three of them,” Pickering said.
Except for a huge factor that favored the Bethel Threshers.
“Right after I visited Bethel I just knew that was my home,” he said. “The coaching staff was so welcoming and when the coach was showing me the gym, one of the best players decided to stop by and introduce himself to me and my dad. I could already tell that the community is amazing and welcoming.”
That welcome from incoming junior Carmelo Yakubu of Houston was huge for the Thresher prospect.
“It made me feel really well coming and right then I knew that they treat everyone on the team like a brother,” Pickering said. “That is very important to me because I know that I can go to any of them when I am in trouble or need someone to talk to.”
“Coach always encourages us to talk to recruits when they come to visit. Make them feel welcome and talk to them like they’re one of ours already,” Carter Reid, a 5-11 incoming junior from Wichita, said. “So all of us try to do that as much as we can.”
He’s won the respect of current Thresher, Andover 6-4 fifth-year senior Harper Jonas.
“Seeing someone be told ‘you’re too small’ to play at the college level excites me for that player,” Jonas said. “It’s all fuel to the fire for the journey he’s embarking on. Some of the best players I’ve played with at Bethel have been on the shorter side. People can define you in every which way, but the one that truly matters, is how you define yourself.”
“The game is growing to be a bigger man’s game, but some of the best players in the KCAC are small guards,” Eli Wiseman, a 5-10 incoming senior from Belle Plaine, said. “If you can produce on the court and help your team win, your size doesn’t matter, and trust me I’ve heard the same things about being too small to play.”
Wiseman said it allows him to play the game with a chip on his shoulder.
“You have to have tough skin to take those comments consistently, and you have to be tough on the court at my size in order to play, so it translates,” Wiseman noted.
“First I’d tell him he’s picked a great spot to follow his hoop dreams,” guard Jared Richardson said. “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight but about the heart of the dog. It won’t be easy but it’ll be worth it so keep fighting on the hard days.”
One moment this past year Pickering enjoyed to the fullest came in the sub-state championship game. The Bulldog victory sent them to state for only the third time ever and first since 2007.
“I was bringing the ball up the court and the defender poked it away,” he said. “I remember looking at the scoreboard and instantly thinking that I need to make something happen. So I drove by my defender on the right side of the lane and made a different defender pick me up so then I kicked it out to my teammate that was open after I attracted his man.”
Kian Wilson’s buzzer-beater sent the Bulldogs to state in March Madness style.
“It made my confidence boost quite a bit cause I was struggling with shooting from the outside a bit,” Pickering said. “It was an awesome feeling to be able to not only go to state but to be able to do that with your best friends that you have been playing with since third grade.”
Reid, a Bishop Carroll graduate, noted the lessons he’s learned and the connections he’s made from playing basketball at Bethel has set him for the future.
“The lessons you learn from being in the gym… the discipline, the teamwork, and being a teammate are all applicable skills that you will have once your playing days have come to an end,” Reid said. “Eventually basketball runs out, what do you do then? At some point you have to think about that because basketball doesn’t define you! It’s your character that does, and that’s what everyone will see! Work hard, take classes seriously, plan for the future! And most importantly have some fun while you’re at it!
“We’ve got a great guy in Talan coming this fall. I’m excited.”
Pickering concluded with this for others who face similar circumstances.
“Focus on what you want and don’t let others bring you down just because they don’t have the strive and grit that you have. I always reminded myself that my haters are my biggest fans because they are hating on you because they are jealous of you and what you have,” he said.
“I would also tell them that God will always be with them on any path they take,” Pickering added.