Let’s Play Two, It Opens Options

From kindergarten to high school, every athletic dream of Theo Edwards involved basketball.

He was playing alongside Magic Johnson at the Forum. He was scoring against Michael Jordan. He was winning the NBA dunk contest.

By his junior year at Mission Hills Alemany, the 6-foot-6 Edwards confided to friends he was changing his focus. He had received two letters from colleges interested in his volleyball skills.

“I realized basketball wasn’t going to be the path for me, and I told a couple of friends,” Edwards said. “They were, ‘You’re out of your mind.’ I looked at it realistically and stepped back. Volleyball was just the better sport for me.”

Last month, Edwards accepted a volleyball scholarship to Cal State Northridge, the second consecutive year Alemany’s basketball center switched sports.

“The way it’s worked out has been amazing,” he said.

Edwards’ insistence on playing more than one sport in high school gave him the freedom to change directions and select the sport in which he could succeed at the next level.

It’s a lesson in keeping options open that too many teenagers fail to heed, resulting in missed opportunities, regrets and stalled athletic careers.

Basketball, in particular, has become the sport where conventional wisdom suggests that playing year-round is a must to gain a college scholarship.

There’s validity to the notion that devoting complete attention to one sport can make someone better. But the other side of the argument also resonates. Playing a complementary sport can improve skills.

“There are a lot of coaches who believe you should stick with one sport,” Cal State Northridge volleyball Coach Jeff Campbell said. “I’m not one of them. I believe there are real crossover skills for volleyball by playing basketball.”

Edwards averaged 18 points and eight rebounds his senior season in basketball, earning first-team All-Mission League honors. His jumping skills improved immensely from volleyball, where he has helped Alemany to second place in league play.

He was able to become a two-sport standout with the help of cooperative coaches.

Jamie Quaglino, the Indians’ volleyball coach, says coaches should be encouraging, not deterring, multiple-sport athletes.

“We all have to realize why we are here in high school coaching,” he said. “It’s for the kids, and [the decision] is up to them. Coaches should respect kids’ decisions and not put extra pressure to give up a sport so they can play year-round.”

Recently, a young Alemany basketball player trying volleyball injured his ankle. He left the volleyball team for fear of jeopardizing his basketball future.

Edwards is an example of why it’s important not to give up options early in a high school sports career.

“I was introduced to the volleyball world,” he said. “I saw some of the better players and went, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ Then I wanted to take it to the next level. They had these guys jumping 40-inch vertical leaps and hitting balls straight down. I was blown away. I had no idea they even existed.”

Edwards’ athleticism and jumping ability intrigue Campbell, who played basketball at Chatsworth High before becoming a volleyball standout.

“He has long arms and big hands and we believe we can train him into something special,” Campbell said.

Edwards is glad his parents and coaches let him use high school to explore his athletic options.

“Honestly, if you can play more sports, then do it,” he said. “I still love basketball and enjoy playing, but you never know what’s going to be your fit.”

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.