By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
Former NBA stars Jack Sikma, John Stockton, and Detlef Schrempf have more in common than just their 20 combined All-Star Game appearances and four trips to the NBA Finals.
All three former players have sons playing varsity high school basketball in the state of Washington this year.
At Bellevue High School 10 miles east of Seattle, Luke Sikma and Alex Schrempf aren't far from where their famous fathers played a total of 13 seasons with the SuperSonics.
Across the state in Spokane, senior Houston Stockton and junior Michael Stockton are guards on Gonzaga Prep's varsity squad.
The expectations are high for the son or daughter of any NBA player, particularly one who played in seven All-Star Games, helped the Emerald City win its only major professional sports championship, and has his No. 43 hanging high in the rafters of Seattle's Key Arena, as is the case with Jack Sikma.
But Luke, a 6-6 junior post for the Wolverines, has learned to manage the pressure.
"You feel some pressure, but I don't take it to heart," Luke said. "I'm my own player and I just try to block it out. It isn't something that has really ever bothered me."
Alex Schrempf, a freshman who swings between Bellevue's varsity and junior varsity squads, gives the program the unique distinction of having the sons of two former NBA players on the team.
"I've known Alex for a while. We met when I was in eighth grade and he was in sixth grade through select basketball," Luke said. "When he came to Bellevue, I didn't really think much of it. It never really crossed my mind."
The thought hasn't escaped Bellevue head coach Jeff Altchech, however. The third-year mentor says despite a roster laden with star surnames, there isn't anything particularly unusual about his group of players.
"It is obviously a unique situation, and it is something that our guys are aware of," Altchech said. "As far as Luke goes, he is just one of the guys and I think that he sees himself that way, too. He is a really well-rounded kid. The guys on the team love him, love to tease him, and he is turning in to one of our team leaders."
Having the elder Sikma and Schrempf around the program is an added bonus, and in a day and age where parental pressure on coaches is a constant, Altchech describes their approach to the coach-parent relationship as "subtle".
"I don't feel like I have an extra set of eyes watching me. As a staff, we have a job to do at practice and games, and I think we do a good job of working together and staying focused. We can't sit and wonder if Jack or Detlef think you have made a bad move," Altchech said. "At the same time, if Jack or Detlef are willing to share their knowledge, I'm all ears. It is a heck of a resource."
And if Jack Sikma slips in a little coaching to his son now and then, it is probably beyond his control. It is his job, after all. Jack rejoined the Sonics franchise as a special assignments coach prior to the 2003-2004 season and was promoted to assistant coach under Nate McMillan the following season.
"We actually love to joke around about that. Sometimes I tell him, 'Hey, I already have enough coaches,'" Luke said. "But I also realize he is a pretty good source to listen to."
In addition to having an All-Star tutor, being the son of an NBA player and now coach has its benefits. Luke lists Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Domonique Wilkins, and Gary Payton among some of his more memorable run-ins with NBA players.
"My older brother and I were watching a summer league game that my dad was coaching and Larry Bird came and sat right in front of us," Luke said. "He turned around and said 'hello'. We both looked at each other and said, 'That was pretty cool.'"
Through six games, Luke is averaging six points per contest and leads the Wolverines in rebounds (42), blocks (18), assists (18), and steals (10). Alex has appeared in two games while splitting time between varsity and junior varsity.
Houston and Michael Stockton's Gonzaga Prep Bullpups are 2-2 as of mid-December, and Houston is among the team's leading scorers, averaging just under 10 points per game.
Jason Hickman: (253) 376-5905 or jrhickman@maxpreps.com