From Setback to Success: Leland Berg

By: Gio Medina

Leland Berg, a senior this year, began his basketball journey in 7th grade at St. Augustine. For young Leland, his start didn't go as smoothly as planned. That year, his season was cut short when he got kicked off the team. This was devastating for the young player, but instead of giving up he used it as fuel to work harder and chase his dreams. Basketball became his “escape from stress and anxiety” as Leland said, and after that he never looked back.

Leland went on to play four years of varsity basketball at Hackett Catholic Prep, where he became a captain and a leader. He averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds per game his junior year, with a high of 24 points in a single game. On the AAU circuit, he put up even bigger statistics, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds; with a season high of 34 points. His coaches, Scott and Tanner Eubank, have been training him since the winter he was kicked off the 7th grade basketball team. Leland has been a team player, and leader, throughout his career on both the AAU side and the high school side. His high school teammate, David Verduzco, had this to say about him, “Leland pushes everyone to be their best and cares about the team's success.”

Now the 6’5, 185 pound shooting guard from Mattawan, Michigan, is officially committed to Hillsdale College, a Division 2 school in Michigan. When asked about his commitment he said, “It feels amazing that all of my hard work has paid off. I am blessed to be committed to such a high academic and athletic university.” Leland will be a young freshman, as he just turned seventeen this October, and his journey from being kicked off to achieving his goals is an inspiration to all athletes, everywhere.