Mazloum dodged a tough decision
Former high school star couldn't choose between playing basketball and soccer
Rodi Mazloum has been an allstar basketball player at Holy Names high school and also an all-star performer in soccer.
With his high school days coming to an end, the 19-year-old Mazloum was looking for a way to avoid choosing between the two sports and he found it with the St. Clair College Saints.
Mazloum will play for the St. Clair men's basketball team next year after finishing the fall campaign with the men's soccer team. He'll study pre-health sciences at St. Clair.
“I really wanted to play basketball and soccer and St. Clair allowed me to do that, and I wanted to stay in Windsor because my family's here and St. Clair allows me to do that,” Mazloum said. “It doesn't happen a lot, but they allowed it, and when I showed interest, it was a pretty quick decision.”
It's the second time in the last year the Saints have welcome a two-sport athlete.
Shae-lyn Murphy, another Holy Names high school product, has been cleared to play for the women's basketball team and softball squad.
“We're actually good friends,” Mazloum said of Murphy. “Honestly, I can't pick. I enjoy playing both and don't even know which one I'm better at. I've been playing both all my life.”
But the coaching staff of each team had to get on board.
“He's the first kid we thought could handle both because of his work ethic,” said Brendon Seguin, co-coach of the men's basketball team. “We're comfortable with the soccer staff and think he can make an impact on both teams.”
Mazloum will play in the fall for the men's soccer team, but basketball will keep him from playing for the indoor team.
“Since we offer outdoor and indoor, indoor might not work out because it's right in the middle of the basketball season,” said Mike Baraslievski, the head coach of the men's soccer team. “We'll work it out.
“It's not every day you get athletes that can play two different sports at the varsity level, but he'll have a good experience playing basketball and soccer and help both teams.”
On the court, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Mazloum helped Holy Names win a WECSSAA title while leading the team in points, assists and steals.
“We've been watching him at Holy Names for probably three years and were always interested,” Seguin said. “The biggest thing he's going to bring to our team is the competitiveness.
“He works hard every day and he's underrated. People look at his size and overlook him. He's a good passer and has a good feel for the game, and if keeps improving, can be a starting point guard in our league in a year or two.”
On the soccer pitch, Mazloum helped the Windsor FC Nationals reach the Ontario Cup semifinals two years ago while helping Holy Names to WECSSAA and SWOSSAA titles playing at midfield and striker.
“He's a quick guy on the soccer field,” Baraslievski said. “I would say he's more a winger/striker for us. He's quick and can hit the gaps. Playing at the level he plays at and what he can do, we're fortunate to have him.”
Mazloum believes each sport actually helps his performance with the other sport.
“Speed for soccer and basketball, I kind of use the same,” said Mazloum, who has been named athlete of the year three times at Holy Names. “The competition is going to be a lot harder (at the college level), but I think I'm ready and capable. I like to set up my teammates. I have the same role in both sports, and having the (opportunity) to make them better, it's a lot easier with my speed and skill.
“It's definitely a relief knowing what school I'm going to. Now I can just focus on school.”