Orange County Prep Player of the Week : Lasse Glassen No Longer Too Thin or Thin-Skinned

As a freshman, Lasse Glassen of University High School was known for two things: his impetuous on-court behavior and his linguine-thin legs.

“I would get so over-excited, I was really out of control,” Glassen said of his days as a 6-foot 1-inch, 115-pound player on the freshman team. “In one game against Corona del Mar, I totally lost it. I was going wild and yelling at the referees. From that point on, I knew you can’t do that. You’ve got to keep your head in the game.”

His lesson has served him well.

Glassen, The Times’ Player of the Week, led the Trojans to two non-league victories last week. He scored 22 points and had 18 rebounds against Santa Ana Valley Wednesday, then had 34 points and 11 rebounds against Savanna Friday.

This season, Glassen, a senior, has averaged 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds a game. He is shooting 55% from the field and 72% from the free-throw line.

“He’s really developed into a strong, confident young man,” said Steve Scoggin, University coach. “Lasse was such a skinny, little guy as a freshman. And real emotional. He’d get so excited about the games, it didn’t help him at all.”

Although learning to control his emotions came somewhat quickly, learning to fool Mother Nature did not.

To gain weight, Glassen forced down a milkshake before each meal, and--on coach’s orders--ate a small meal before going to bed each night.

“He was in a fried egg period for a while,” his mother, Birgitta, said. “Now he’s into omelets and guacamole. Actually, he’s turned into a pretty good cook. He knows how to combine butter and flour just right for creamed spinach.”

The continual caloric intake--and weekly weightlifting sessions--finally paid off. Glassen gained 60 pounds in two years and now measures 6-7, 200 pounds. Not quite Incredible Hulk measurements, but he doesn’t mind.

“A lot of guys look at me and say, ‘ Oh, he’s not anything,’ ” Glassen said. “So I can sneak up on them. Like, I’m not real fast, but I go all out on the fast break.”

And what of his emotional control? Is he still “going wild” during games?

“I’ve learned to tone it down,” Glassen said. “I’m reacting intelligently. And I ref for a youth league now, so I know screaming doesn’t do anything for you.”