Boys’ Prep Player of the Week : Marusich Tradition Continues : Following Brothers, Nick Makes His Mark in Servite Basketball

For Nick Marusich, playing basketball at Servite High School was a forgone conclusion.

The Marusich boys have attended Servite because of academics, but Friar basketball has become the family tradition.

One of six sons, Marusich has had three brothers precede him in the Friars’ program and he is currently teamed with his younger brother, Steve, on the varsity.

“Matt’s the oldest, but he didn’t start playing until he was a junior,” said Nick, a 6-foot 9-inch center. “He saw his friends playing and with his height (6-6), he decided to go out for the team.”

Which started the Marusich family on basketball.

“My mother then enrolled us all in a youth league, and I’ve been playing ever since,” Marusich said.

But, never better than this season.

Marusich, The Times’ player of the week, is averaging 18.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Last week in the Katella tournament, he scored 21, 26 and 27 points in three games as the Friars won the championship.

Despite being the fourth Marusich through the program, Nick never played much with his older brothers. He just hadn’t matured enough to play against Matt, who graduated in 1979; Andy, who graduated in 1983, or Greg, who graduated in 1984.

“We’re so spaced apart in age, that it was never a contest when I played,” Marusich said.

Still, he never lacked for advice.

“They would all come to watch me play when I was in youth league or on traveling teams,” he said. “On the way home, they would tell me what I did and what I should do.”

But, as with his brothers, Marusich had to develop his own style.

“They are all different players,” said Larry Walker, who coached all three as Servite’s coach until taking a sabbatical this year. “That’s why it’s hard to compare them.”

Matt, who never played after high school, was a forward. Andy, who played at Chapman College, was a 6-5 swingman. Greg, who is currently playing at Southern Utah State, is a 6-3 guard.

“I’m the family center,” Marusich said. “I’d rather run the court and be a guard, but I’m slow. I know my role on the team is to score inside and rebound.”

Said John Walker, the Friars’ interim co-coach: “Nick is the type of big man you can build a team around. He’s goes to the basket well and is very confident. We take the players to clinics and we’ve had some college coaches comment how good he is fundamentally.”

Though there has been some interest by college recruiters, Marusich isn’t overwhelmed by it. He has a 3.6 grade-point average and plans to choose a school where he can get a good education.

“I’ll go to a school and play basketball, not play basketball and go to school,” he said.

Nick Marusich

Servite High School

Position: center.

Height, Weight, Class: 6-9, 225, Sr.

Last Week: Averaged 24.6 points and 8.3 rebounds as the Friars won the Katella tournament.

Season: Averaging 18.8 points (66.8% from the field) and 9.8 re bounds. Also has 22 blocked shots.