German’s goal: ‘Show them’
Always the underdog, 21st Century grad proves doubters wrong by breaking scoring record
Eugene German broke the career scoring record at Northern Illinois on Feb. 1, making a contested layup against Miami of Ohio with 6:39 left in a 70-55 Mid-American Conference victory.
For a player that always has been undervalued and underappreciated, the seminal moment was an anomaly.
There were hugs from his teammates and coach Mark Montgomery, who called a timeout and pulled him from the game to savor the moment. There was a standing ovation from the sparse crowd.
And there was a great, big smile from German, a 21st Century graduate who finally is starting to get his due.
For once, it feels like German is relaxing. He’s made it, in some small way.
“It feels wonderful,” he said of breaking the record. “I’ve put in so much work over the past years. I never thought about that when I came here. It was never one of my goals.”
Through Friday, German had scored 2,052 points during his NIU career. He surpassed former Merrillville coach T.J. Lux’s record of 1,996.
German, a 6-foot-1 guard, is averaging 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season. His numbers have hovered in that range for three seasons.
Four years ago, there were only a handful of people that grasped the full capacity of German’s immense talent. He was making 3-pointers from beyond NBA range at 21st Century and leading the state in scoring.
His 33-point scoring average and his ravenous work ethic were dismissed because the Cougars were a Class A school with a reputation for being all offense. He was spindly and viewed as a one-dimensional player who was allergic to defense.
German shrugged it off and got payback when he made the Indiana All-Stars by going 8for-8 in his tryout. Indiana AllStars director Charlie Hall said it was “probably the best performance” at the workout he’s ever seen. No one makes the All-Stars from the one-day tryout. The selections are preordained, mostly done as a courtesy for the sake of inclusivity.
German willed his way onto that team. He reveled in the challenge.
He backed up the performance by being named the MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game against Kentucky in Indianapolis.
Then he left for DeKalb and Northern Illinois, from which received his only Division I offer, according to Rivals.com and 247sports. German likes being the guy in the room that no one notices until after the show is finished. He doesn’t know any other way.
“I love being the underdog,” he said. “I’ve always had to show people what I’m capable of and what I can do. People don’t believe you until you show them.”
That theme has carried through college.
Even at NIU, while making his way into the record book, German has been restless and sometimes disrespected.
German has been named to the All-MAC second team twice but not the first team.
He put his name in for the NBA draft after his sophomore and junior seasons but returned to school both times.
Off the court, there were issues. He was arrested once for shoplifting and another time for throwing eggs at students, according to the Daily Chronicle.
It was silly, stupid stuff, but he has learned from it.
Through it all, German has persevered and grown up.
NIU (15-9, 8-3) is having its best season since German arrived. It leads the MAC West.
German is enjoying every second of it, and he’s become a vocal leader.
“My communication skills are better,” he said. “I’m talking with the guys more, being more positive and trying to push them.”
German wants to play in the NBA. He’s going to make lots of money playing basketball somewhere next year.
The NBA is a long shot for sure, but that’s exactly the kind of challenge German wants.
He’ll gladly take on the doubters and naysayers.
It’s what he does.
German wouldn’t have it any other way.