Denzel Valentine: Expanding The Family Legacy
1/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications
The Lansing native who made the decision to continue his basketball career at Michigan State has evoked smiles, pride, and honor from hundreds of local fans who have watched him grow as both an athlete and a leader.
Despite the local fame, Denzel Valentine stuck with his roots and walked into a family legacy that was established long before he ever stepped on the court.
"It's an amazing feeling," said Valentine. "Sometimes I just sit back and think about it. It's truly a blessing to be able to play in your hometown. You've got everybody on your side."
Son of Kathy and Carlton Valentine, a four-year letterwinner at MSU, Denzel grew up playing for his father. Together, this Valentine duo was able to lead Lansing Sexton High School to back-to-back state championships.
"That father-son relationship on the court was pretty cool, not a lot of people get to do that," said Valentine. "Our relationship now is pretty solid, and I talk to him a lot. He gives me his honest opinion and I take it and run with it."
After a successful career at Lansing Sexton, being named the 2012 Associated Press Class B Player of the Year and runner-up for Mr. Basketball, many collage coaches sought out Valentine, hoping that he would enhance their program not only with his athletic abilities, but also his remarkable leadership qualities.
"I was recruited by a lot of other schools, but this is where my heart was," said Valentine. "I've always been a Spartan."
Walking into an atmosphere where his father once paved the way, Valentine has stayed determined to write his own story as a Spartan. From winning championships to breaking records, Valentine strives to accomplish something more during his time at Michigan State.
"I want to leave a legacy," said Valentine. "I want to do something that nobody else has done. That's how I've been all my life. I just want to be different from everybody else. I hope I can do that."
A two-time recipient of MSU's Unsung Player Award, Valentine has appeared in every game throughout his career at Michigan State. After his sophomore season, his teammates voted him Most Improved Player as well as Most Inspirational Player; two honors that speak true to the work ethic instilled in Valentine.
Aside from his father, one person who has played a crucial role in Denzel's life also grew up under the same roof. His older brother, Drew, had always played alongside Denzel. The two brothers spent years working toward their similar goal of playing Division I basketball, much like their father once had.
November 24, 2012 was a day unlike any other for the Valentine family. The brothers were both stepping on the court, but for the first time, they wouldn't be playing for the same team.
Drew was in his senior season at Oakland University while Denzel was a freshman at MSU.
"It was kind of weird," said the younger Valentine. "I'm always used to strapping up and having him on my side, so playing against him was different. I had to do it and we ended up winning."
In the spirit of excitement and pride for their two sons, Carlton and Kathy arrived equally representing both Michigan State and Oakland.
"They had custom shirts made," said Valentine. "They were MSU on one half and Oakland on the other. It was pretty cool."
Drew, who now serves as a graduate assistant for the MSU men's basketball program, is able to join in on the Valentine legacy as it plays out at Michigan State.
"It means a lot to have him here for advice and guidance throughout the good and tough times," said Valentine. "I know that Drew cares about me, so it's really a blessing for him to be here and help out with not only me, but everybody."
Despite adding to the family name on the court, Valentine hopes to be known as an outgoing, approachable guy who has taken pages from his family's book in order to better himself and his teammates.
"The fans get to know you as a person, too," said Valentine. "They see you out in the community and you get to talk to people. I just really appreciate everything that's happened to me and everybody in the community."
If there's something that Spartans have proven over the years, it's that family doesn't necessarily have to be biological. Over the course of four years, teammates form bonds that are often described as unbreakable. In some circumstances, these bonds began long before committing to play at MSU.
Bryn Forbes, who grew up alongside the Valentine family, has made his way home to East Lansing after two successful seasons at Cleveland State. Despite time away from one another, his relationship with Denzel hasn't skipped a beat.
"It's really special for me because we've been playing together since we were eight," said Valentine. "Now I can help him reach his goals and he can help me reach mine because we know each other just as well as anybody in the world. We're best friends."
While the 2014 senior class said their goodbyes after graduation, the program was ready for a leader to fill the gaps that Adreian Payne and Keith Appling once maintained.
"Watching Keith and AP over the years, I recognized that those guys weren't so much vocal leaders, but they led by example with their play," said Valentine. "They brought it every night and in practice every day. I learned a lot from those guys and I appreciate that."
Valentine was quick to step into this role, and seamlessly led the team to what Coach Izzo calls one of the best preseasons of his era.
"At a program like Michigan State, everybody is going to come at you every night and you can't take a day off," said Valentine. "If you take a day off, it doesn't matter who you're playing, you're still getting beat."
Despite the matchups the team may face on the court, Valentine holds his team to the precedent set by generations of Spartans before him. This year alone, Valentine is averaging 14 points, while proving to be the Big Ten's most versatile player.
"Mentally, I knew that I had to step my game up if we had a chance to be good," said Valentine. "I took that approach every day in the summer and I worked my butt off. I made huge improvements. I just have to stick at it and stay confident."
And when his four years at Michigan State are over, Valentine hopes to continue on to the next level, much like many of his teammates have before him.
"That's been my dream and that's what I want to do," said Valentine. "I have a Hall of Fame coach that's going to pave the way and I'm at a great program, so hopefully my work ethic, listening to Coach Izzo, listening to my dad, and learning from my brother can all lead me to a great career here and help me continue on to the NBA."
Although his future plans stay in the forefront of his mind, Valentine assures that he has unfinished business at Michigan State.
"Sometimes it goes this way to make sure you're in a position to be strong," said Valentine. "The sky is the limit for us, we just have to put that into our minds every single day."
