Dec. 2, 2008

By Larry Watts
Contributor, BigTen.org

No sooner than the words came out of her mouth, Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant caught herself and broke out in a laugh.

"I really didn't mean that to sound scary, like the 'Summer of Sam,'" the Spartans' basketball coach said, "but this really has been the summer of Allyssa."

And Merchant wasn't marveling in the fact Allyssa DeHaan was a terrorizing presence on the basketball courts around the East Lansing, Mich. area during the past summer. In fact, her 6-foot-9 junior center may have spent just as much time at the beach playing volleyball as she did working on post moves.

"From the start of her freshman year until last summer, Allyssa never got a break," Merchant says. "It was always academics and basketball; she was always pushing herself. She never really took the time to rest and work on her own individual game."

After setting a Big Ten record with 145 blocks and being named the conference's freshman of the year, DeHaan immediately went into training for Team USA in the U19 World Championships. Then it was back to Michigan State and a new head coach (Merchant) for her sophomore campaign, where she was named first team All-Big after breaking her own block record with 150 (fifth in NCAA history), scoring 14.4 points per game and pulling down 7.3 rebounds.

And on the academic side, she is on a pre-med track with an emphasis on human biology. "Biochemistry, physics, anatomy," DeHaan says of her course load this fall. "I'm kind of a science geek, but I am a fairly driven person. You put all those things together and you get a doctor. I have a passion for helping people."

After her first season with DeHaan, what Merchant saw was a person who needed to cut back on her drive time, whether it was on the basketball court or in the classroom

"She was over-extending herself while trying to get things done in four years," Merchant says. "I talked to her about getting things done in five years, having less stress, enjoying herself more and giving her body a chance to rest."

According to Merchant, DeHaan was able to spend more time with her weight training, which resulted in another 15 pounds. Combined with less pressure, the summer of Allyssa could now lead to a winter of discontent for Big Ten opponents.

"It was a lot of fun hanging out at the beach with my friends and playing volleyball this summer," says DeHaan, who played volleyball while attending high school in Grandville, Mich. "My (beach) partner and I started out winning one game and then slowly worked our way up to winning three or four. It's a different transition from basketball and keeps you in great shape while building your vertical. Going to the beach really pacifies my mind."

Michigan State saw a string of five straight NCAA appearances come to an end during Merchant's first season. However, the Spartans still managed a very respectable 23-14 mark and won 10 of their last 12 before bowing to Marquette in WNIT postseason play.

"The way Coach (Joanne) McCallie left so unexpectedly, our whole world was turned upside down," DeHaan says. "But that happens in life, you're shot with adversity and it makes you a better person. How you deal with it is a character builder.

"It was a transition year last year and this year is about familiarity. Everybody (five starters) is back, we have a great freshman class and we're all on the same page. We all have the same goal and everyone is buying into what coach Merchant says. It's all working out."

According to Merchant, some key injuries on the team forced DeHaan into becoming more of a vocal leader on the squad last year.

"She was the one who had to rally the troops and she had never been in that position before," the coach says. "But I saw a major growth in her by the end of the season. She was talking in the huddles and she was OK with the pressure to perform instead of looking around and waiting for someone else to do that.

"Allyssa is a person of few words and for her to step outside of herself a bit and become a vocal leader was a big step. She did it masterfully and at the right time."

"I'm really getting to the point I'm not afraid to raise my voice to my teammates, but it's not really my personality," DeHaan says.

DeHaan's quiet nature can be traced to being raised in a strong Christian home. "I was put in the church at an early age and became part of a youth group that went on mission trips," she says. "Coming into college, I was still growing spiritually and became part of Athletes in Action. It helps get me through life. I have been so blessed; God has given me so much talent and He's given me height, so I'm just trying to give back."

It's that same passion for her faith and helping others DeHaan expects to take back to the court.

"I'd like to have a more dominating presence," she says. "If I can increase my shooting percentage (from 48 percent) and be more dominant, everything will open up for our guards.

"I want to win a national championship and leave a mark on this program. I've got two years left and I expect some big things."

"Allyssa is a game-changer and I look for her to be a major factor on both sides of the ball," Merchant says. "I look for her to elevate her game to a new level and have a little more focus, determination and toughness."

DeHaan hasn't firmly planted any goals beyond graduation, although a professional basketball career appears very likely.

"I guess looking five to 10 years down the road, I could see myself as a pediatrician, owning my own practice and working with kids," she says.

"I keep kidding Allyssa about how tough she's got it," Merchant says. "She's beautiful, carries a 3.8-4-point average and will have so many professional opportunities, both athletically and professionally.

"Whatever avenue she decides, she's going to make an impact on society and the lives of so many people. The one thing about her is she has a good understanding of who she is. She is such a well-grounded person, so she should enjoy the journey and I'm going to enjoy going for the ride with her."