Posted with Permission of Kamloops Daily News
By MARK HUNTER
Daily News Sports Reporter
Chas Kok will step right out of the classroom and onto the basketball court in April.
He’s already champing at the bit.
Kok in 2011 action with the WolfPack (Andrew Snucins photo)
Kok, a former TRU forward who now is an assistant coach with the WolfPack, is set to start his second season in the International Basketball League once he is done his schooling this spring. Last year, Kok helped the Bellingham Slam to the championship in the IBL, a professional league based in the Pacific Northwest.
Kok speaks with Will Ondrik during a TRU game this year
Kok played two seasons with the WolfPack, and earned a reputation as a hard-nosed player with a competitive streak. That competitive side continued last season, when Kok joined head coach Scott Clark’s coaching staff.
Kok salutes fans during his final game (Andrew Snucins photo)
There were times when Kok looked ready to explode on the bench as the WolfPack struggled to an 8-14 record and missed the playoffs. He’s more than excited, then, to get back on the court in April.
Kok shoulders into a UNBC player in 2011 (Andrew Snucins photo)
“Absolutely,” said the 24-year-old native of Lynden, Wash. “I have a punching bag at my place – I’m always hitting it. I’m incredibly competitive.”
Although the IBL is considered the minor leagues, it’s also very competitive. The Slam’s roster is filled with former college players and others who currently play professionally overseas.
Kok looks to pass the ball vs Alberta in 2011 (Andrew Snucins photo)
With that in mind, Kok has enlisted the help of personal trainer Kimo Jandoc in Lynden – Jandoc, a former Kamloops resident, has Kok working out.
“He has me doing some difficult workouts,” Kok said. “I do an hour and a half or two hours lifting each day, and an hour and a half or two hours working on basketball.
Kok looks to pass in 2011 vs Calgary (Andrew Snucins photo)
“I’ve always taken basketball very seriously, and training is the one thing I can control.”
Kok is currently in TRU’s bachelor of education program. He will miss the first few Slam practices due to a two-week practicum at Pacific Way Elementary, but will return to Lynden the day after his last class and will be ready to play the Slam’s first game at the end of April.
Kok vs UFV in 2011 (Andrew Snucins photo)
He’s looking to improve on his first season, in which he averaged 6.4 points per game off the bench. Kok likely will come off the bench again this season, but wants to be more prepared.
“My last season (at TRU), it was different – I was playing out of position (at centre),” said the 6-foot-6 Kok. “In Bellingham, I was playing shooting guard. It was a big change.
“I was a bench player — if I came in and made a three, I was getting more minutes. If I missed my first three, I might be back on the bench.”
Kok gives a look in a 2012 game (Allen Douglas photo)
Kok, who averaged nearly 20 points in his final season at TRU, will play behind Paul Hafford again this season. Hafford, at 28, “is getting older,” Kok said, “which is something I like to remind him about.”
After this semester ends, Kok will have a year remaining in the education program.
Kok (left) along with Kevin Pribilsky (center) and TRU coach Scott Clark
“This is an opportunity for me to keeping playing,” Kok said. “If it turns out I can keep playing and get my degree . . . maybe I’ll put some feelers out in the winter.”
Kok is thinking about Australia, where he could teach and play. Or, if that doesn’t turn out, he would consider coming back to Kamloops.
Source:
http://athletics.inside.tru.ca/2013/02/28/slam-time-for-tru-assistant-coach-kdn-article-feb-28-2013/
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