This time last year, getting ready to play basketball for Kennesaw State was the last thing on Jon-Michael Nickerson’s mind. Struggling as a pitcher for the Jamestown Jammers, the Florida Marlins’ low-level Class A affiliate, Nickerson was concerned about his future in baseball and knew he needed a change.

That change was not to another minor league organization but to another sport altogether. After three seasons, Nickerson retired from baseball to pursue his other love-basketball-at the collegiate level.

Despite a dominant senior basketball season in high school at Stanhope Ellmore in Millbrook, Ala., Nickerson thought baseball offered the best opportunity. After high school, he chose to forgo college and was drafted in the 16th round by the Marlins in 2003.

‘I started out really looking forward to going to college, but I ended up signing on the first day of the signing period,’ Nickerson said. ‘I just made the decision and went with it.’

Nickerson bounced between the rookie league Gulf Coast Marlins, Jamestown and the high-level Class A Greensboro Bats (now Greensboro Grasshoppers) from 2003-2005.

He was successful at the lowest level Gulf Coast, going 5-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 12 starts his first season, but from there his numbers went downhill. The lefty was only 4-18 the next two seasons.

As his stats fluctuated and consistency wavered, Nickerson often thought of basketball as a viable option.

‘After I had a good game, I thought baseball was what I wanted to do, but then I’d blow up a start or two later and I’d say ‘Man, I really want to play basketball,” Nickerson said. ‘I was never really sold on the whole baseball thing.’

After the 2005 season, Nickerson was ready to give baseball one more shot, hoping he would climb the minor league ladder. As Spring Training drew nearer, he began doubting his future.

The 2006 men’s basketball NCAA Tournament was in progress and Nickerson started itching for high tops and gym shorts while watching March Madness on television. He made the decision then to move on, and on March 15 he was put on the voluntarily retired list.

‘I knew in the back of my mind each off-season, basketball was always something I wanted to do because it was my first love,’ Nickerson said. ‘I always enjoyed it and wanted to give it a try, but I thought my body may be too old to handle the physical aspects of college basketball.’

During the next few months, Nickerson looked to find an opportunity to break back into basketball. He found that opportunity at a scouting tournament.

Kennesaw State assistant coach Montez Robinson took interest in Nickerson on the advice of the director of the scouting service who ran the tournament, a former colleague. Robinson had no idea Nickerson had spent the last three years playing baseball professionally, but he liked what he saw.

‘He was an older guy and looked so much more mature because he had been out in the business world,’ Robinson said. ‘He has a good work ethic, so he wasn’t your typical freshman coming into the game out of high school.’

Head coach Tony Ingle followed up on Robinson’s recommendation, and Nickerson signed on to play for the Owls. Nickerson thought a fast-paced offense might be too difficult for him to adjust to after three years on the diamond and liked Kennesaw State’s style of play.

Because he is four years older than most of his classmates, Nickerson’s had to make an adjustment to fit in. He uses his previous experiences to mentor the other five freshmen on the roster, but realizes he has a different perspective on life than most of his peers.

‘Some of my fellow freshmen are away from home for the first time,’ Nickerson said. ‘I’m already used to doing chores and not having things done around the house for me.’

The physical training has been the most difficult part of the switch. Nickerson has grown two inches and gained 40 pounds since the beginning of his baseball career, leaving him at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds.

Despite his growth, he still had trouble working into basketball shape. Because he was out of the game for three years, Nickerson had to adjust to the speed and intensity of the sport at the college level.

‘The conditioning for basketball is ten times more difficult than the conditioning in baseball,’ said Nickerson, ‘I feel my body just starting to get back to where I was in high school.’

Eight games into the season, Nickerson is struggling to be productive. He is playing more than six minutes per game, scoring a bit more than one point. While he is happy with his current situation, his athletic future is still very much a question mark.

‘I can’t get enough of the game and I’m really looking forward to playing college basketball,’ Nickerson said. ‘If I have baseball waiting in the wings, and if I’m still in shape, I’ll go from there.’

No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 9 Lousiana State

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m., ESPN Full Court

The Aggies have won their first seven games easily, but have not faced strong competition. The Tigers are ranked lower, but may be more prepared having already lost to No. 10 Wichita State. Expect a good matchup between centers Joseph Jones for Texas A&M and Glen Davis for LSU.

LSU 72, Texas A&M 67

No. 4 Alabama vs. Notre Dame

Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 p.m., ESPN

The Crimson Tide features five players averaging at least 11 points per game, led by senior Jermareo Davidson, who averages more than 15 points and 10 rebounds a night. The Fighting Irish is coming off a big win over No. 23 Maryland, but Alabama is too tough.

Alabama 76, Notre Dame 68

No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 17 Marquette

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m. ESPN

The Golden Eagles started the year 8-0 before finally being tripped up by North Dakota State on Saturday. They have proven to be serious contenders, having already won at Duke. A win over the Badgers should get Marquette climbing back up the charts.

Marquette 74, Wisconsin 67

No. 13 Washington vs. No. 18 Gonzaga

Saturday, December 9, 11 p.m.

These two teams are a combined 14-1 this season. Gonzaga has already beaten North Carolina and Texas, once again proving itself as a legitimate national contender. This is a good stage for Washington to prove itself, but the Bulldogs bite a bit harder than the Huskies.

Gonzaga 88, Washington 85

No. 22 Oklahoma State vs. No. 21 Syracuse

Tonight, 7 ESPN

The Cowboys hit the polls for the first time this week having won their first nine games. Orange fans still have the bitter taste of Saturday’s home loss to Wichita State in their mouths, and a win over a ranked team at MSG can help everyone forget.

Syracuse 79, Oklahoma State 73

Published on December 3, 2006 at 12:00 pm