At times it’s been a difficult journey, but Texas Southern first-year point guard Kavion McClain has finally landed in a place and space that feels like home.
It’s not the path the 5-foot-10 senior anticipated when he first left home in Memphis to begin his college basketball journey. McClain spent his first three years in junior college then landed at Abilene Christian last year before TSU coach Johnny Jones offered him one last olive branch.
“It didn’t go as planned,” McClain said about his collegiate path in a recent interview with the Defender. “Abilene Christian really didn’t go as planned, but it was a learning journey. It was my first year in Division I, so it was a great learning experience.
“This time, I wanted to go somewhere I would be trusted and be allowed to play my game. Coach Jones has allowed me to do that at the highest chance I will get.”
So far, it’s been a perfect fit. The Tigers needed a dynamic point guard to fill the void left by All-SWAC performer PJ Henry, and McClain was in search of a program that would allow him to be him.
McClain, an extremely quick guard with excellent court vision and anticipation, has been exactly what the Tigers needed on both ends of the floor.
“Losing PJ was huge. That was a big loss for us at the end of the day,” Jones said. “Bringing Kavion in and for him to be able to step in and play the way he has played for us on both ends of the floor… He picks up defensively, plays with a great deal of pressure on people. Then on the offensive end, he executes at a high level, can really shoot the ball.”
McClain was instant energy and instant scoring in his first two games with the Tigers. He came off the bench in his TSU debut, to lead the team with 21 points in a close 78-69 loss at Xavier in the season opener.
I can score, but that’s not me. Coach Jones wants me to score the ball but I just want to feel comfortable. I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to win. Sometimes it’s not scoring, sometimes it’s getting guys involved. Whatever it takes I’m going to do.
Kavion Mcclain
Then as a starter against Texas A&M-San Antonio, McClain sparked the Tigers to an 89-56 blowout win with a game-high 22 points, 8 assists, three steals and one turnover while shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
“He makes us a whole lot better,” said TSU power forward Kenny Hunter, who is the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. “He sees the play before it even happens as far as his passing ability. But he can also score, as well.”
McClain credits Jones with encouraging him to be himself and play his game and then allowing him to do so.
“I love it. I love Coach Jones,” McClain said. “He trusted me and allowed me to be me. Then I’ve got a group of guys that trust me. They allow me to make them better, as well.”
McClain, who is one of seven newcomers on the roster this season, said the connection between him and his teammates was instant. McClain, along with New Mexico State transfer Jaylin Jackson-Posey and returners Grayson Carter, Kolby Granger and Hunter are already looking like a formidable starting five with a strong group coming off the bench behind them.
This time, I wanted to go somewhere to where I would be trusted and be allowed to play my game. Coach Jones has allowed me to do that at the highest chance I will get.
Kavion Mcclain
“I just feel like we just came in and changed the energy of the program,” McClain said. “We told these guys we are going to be good and we instilled that in their heads.
“We just wanted to go into non-conference winning some games because we knew we were good enough to win conference.”
Next up will be the SWAC season starting in the new year. Under Jones, the Tigers have become one of the top teams in the SWAC, playing in the last four SWAC Championship Games and winning three of them to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
TSU came up short in last season’s conference championship game and ended up in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament instead.
But McClain already has his sights on where he wants to lead the Tigers this season.
“I think this team has a pretty good chance of making a run in the Tournament,” he said. “That’s my goal. I want to get to the National Tournament.”
TSU Basketball at a Glance
Head coach Johnny Jones
Years at TSU: 7th season
Last season record: 16-17 overall, 12-6 SWAC (T-3rd)
Key losses: PJ Henry and Jonathan Cisse
Key returners: Kenny Hunter, Grayson Carter and Kolby Granger.
Key newcomers: Kavion McClain (Abilene Christian), Jaylin Jackson-Posey (New Mexico State), Josh Farmer (UTSA) and Oumar Koureissi (Nicholls State).
Preseason honors: Team was picked to finish second in the SWAC; Hunter was picked to finish as the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year; Hunter and Grayson made All-SWAC second team.
