Column: Trent MacLean’s growth and improvement sizing up to exploits of father Don

They stood facet by facet in entrance of a trophy case, father and son, separated by an inch in top.

Don MacLean, UCLA’s all-time basketball scoring chief, is 6 toes 10. His 16-year-old son, Trent, who seemingly grows each time he sleeps, is closing in. Trent has sprouted from 6-5 final season as a freshman to 6-9 as a sophomore.

“Oh man, I didn’t assume I’d get this tall,” Trent mentioned. “I believed I used to be going to be accomplished at 6-5.”

Having transferred from Westlake to Thousand Oaks Excessive, MacLean needed to sit out greater than a month of video games this season due to CIF eligibility guidelines earlier than he made his debut final week for the Lancers on the South Pasadena match, and what an impression he made. He put collectively video games of 32, 19, 32 and 14 factors.

“He’s labored actual exhausting to remain in form,” Thousand Oaks coach Logan Baltau mentioned.

There are indicators MacLean has taken a significant leap ahead from his freshman days. He not stands on the wing firing away three-point makes an attempt whereas shying away from posting inside.

He can nonetheless shoot threes however has added versatility to his recreation, requires the ball inside and finds methods to attain all around the court docket. Add the very fact he’s an excellent free-throw shooter and the proof is evident he’s going to be scoring plenty of factors for the Lancers via 2025.

“I believe he’s higher than me at this stage,” his father mentioned.

That’s saying quite a bit. Don turned an All-American at Simi Valley Excessive, with the deal with his capacity to make photographs. He as soon as averaged 31.5 factors for a season.

“A chip off the outdated block,” former Simi Valley coach Bob Hawking tweeted after seeing video highlights of Trent.

Trent is within the improvement stage of getting stronger so he can battle for rebounds and dealing on his ball dealing with. In a recreation in opposition to West Torrance, he misplaced the ball 5 instances on turnovers and took duty.

“I obtained to get my eyes up, I’ve to work on my deal with extra and form of decelerate as I get the ball and never go one velocity attempting to get a bucket,” he mentioned.

Although he couldn’t play any video games till Dec. 27, he used the required time without work due to switch guidelines to enhance by working with non-public coaches on his taking pictures and energy.

“It was form of a blessing in disguise as a result of I started working on my recreation and developed as a participant from final 12 months,” he mentioned. “I nonetheless obtained to observe with my group, and that was good.”

It’s surprising to see Trent stand subsequent to his mom, Brooke, who stands 5-1 however delivered three boys who grew to 6-2, 6-7 and now 6-9.

“I form of obtained fortunate with the genes,” Trent mentioned.

The rising may not be accomplished.

“The physician mentioned, ‘I’ve by no means seen a child develop 4 inches in a 12 months and be accomplished,’” Don mentioned.