BY LIAM KEITH

Running down the court the opposing team getting in form to run a play, Jefferson City’s Nelson Shinkle receives the pass and goes up for what seems to be a wide open layup. Until, #24 jumps with him giving Nelson unexpected pressure and forcing him to take a harder shot. Refusing to give up on the play, #24 goes up grabs the board and passes to an open Jaeson Townsend and Townsend draws a foul being rewarded with two free throws. Well #24 is Deshawn Muldrew, the only way to describe his playing ability is to compare him to the humble all around players that don’t get to shine behind the leading scorers. Offensively he cuts up defenses by providing a threat to the paint and outside the arc. Defensively he provides a serious box out threat and opportunity to force some turnovers

Muldrew doesn’t take basketball seriously, he prides himself on that. He is one of those guys that fade into a roster, a solid role player. Muldrew used to take basketball seriously until his knees wouldn’t let him, he’s worn knee braces for four years while playing ball. Muldrew described what happened with his knees in one word, “deteriorated.”  Most of the time you see this on older players, guys who usually fade out of the league, not an 18 year old highschooler. Muldrew is okay with it though, as in his talent in photography and media is what he truly takes pride in. The idea of this being his last season doesn’t scare him, the last four years have just been about enjoying the fun of being a high school basketball player.

What does this do for a team though? Well, it gives a guy who is calm even when the other team is leading and it also brings a swagger in the form of team leadership, Muldrew is a senior. Not just a leader in seniority, but a leader in rebounds, steals, and assists. Humbly he does all of that coming off the bench, while not being the highest scorer he offers the team multiple ways to score with his passing and defensive prowess. The best part is his lack of complaints, most coaches beg to have players that are content with their role as long as they see the bigger picture. 

Basketball isn’t what Deshawn is trying to be known for, for a side hustle Muldrew is actually an amateur photographer and has taken photos casually for people and also has done a lot of people dance pictures. He sticks out in a crowd with his blonde hair and his various piercings giving him an edge compared to your average person, inspired by rock music and manga he’s developed a style of his own. If you look into the history of basketball for guys with an edge who are great rebounders,  you can’t leave out Dennis Rodman. Rodman is well known for his PR nightmare of off the court antics,  Muldrew doesn’t have the same issues as Rodman did but to compare their play is legitimate, both forwards who aren’t the biggest on the court but had a feel for the ball coming off the glass. 

Muldrew had a gene pool of basketball players to come from, his family’s athletic history is rich in basketball and has given him a motivation for it from an early age. Deshawn gave the credit to his father when it came to why he plays basketball. When asking him about who he wanted to see him play, he said,”It’s got to be my parents [especially] in my last year too.” A lot of players wear 24 for a specific shooting guard who was known for his killer mentality and competitive spirit. Muldrew cited the late Kobe Bryant as his inspiration, not to say he was trying to be another Kobe Bryant. He wears 24 as a sign of respect to the generational talent and hall of fame inductee. 

Sometimes the most unlikeable things about people are the way they try to separate themselves from the general public. In a world where everyone wants to be so unique, Deshawn isn’t trying, he just is. He doesn’t want to be in a group, he would rather be by himself than be something he isn’t. Deshawn has discovered that he is in control of what he becomes and his plan is to make his story, history.