Decision sits well with DeSimone

There was a time when Brian DeSimone didn't want his hands on the ball.

After all, it's not a good idea for a soccer player.

But Buffalo Grove likes the idea of DeSimone holding the basketball at crucial times. The result is usually a big hand from the team's fans after the senior guard makes an electrifying pass or spectacular move for a layup.

All of which is fitting, since the game has been handed down through the family.

"Basketball grew on me since fifth or sixth grade," DeSimone said. "The high pace of the game, the intensity and everything involved."

The Daily Herald All-Area returnee has played a major part in BG's success since he was promoted to the varsity as a freshman. Last year he helped lead the way to a 22-win season, a Mid-Suburban East title and a trip to the sectional final.

And it led DeSimone to the tough decision of taking a pass on the sport he initially liked best.

"I definitely feel it was the right decision to just play basketball," DeSimone said of not playing soccer this fall. "There were times I missed it, but I have no regrets."

BG coach Ryan O'Connor has none about bringing DeSimone up to the varsity with Paul Timko when they were freshmen. DeSimone didn't see much time initially but gradually worked his way into more prominent roles.

DeSimone averaged nearly 14 points, 4 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season. His 17 free throws made in last year's sectional semifinal tied the 10-year-old BG single-game record with Jeff Siok and his 22 attempts set a school mark.

And it's no coincidence his name starts with D.

"I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to be able to coach him for four years, as well as his brother," O'Connor said of Brian and Brad DeSimone, who graduated two years ago. "He's unselfish, total team first, and has a great work ethic. He understands the game.

"He knows exactly what I want to be accomplished on the floor and he knows how to get it done."

It doesn't hurt that the DeSimones grew up with the game. Their dad Frank and their uncles Jerry and Chris played at Arlington in the 1970s.

Hoops and sports are always hot topics of conversation at family gatherings. Brian DeSimone said he gained a lot of knowledge from his uncle Chris, who also played in college.

And there was no better way to learn than with some hands-on experience.

"The fathers would always get hurt," Brian DeSimone said with a smile of the family backyard games. "We'd sneak one (win) in sometimes."

And the battles with Brad were hardly casual affairs.

"We'd always play 1-on-1 and get in fights over the games," Brian said. "(Who won) depended on who was more mad."

But DeSimone's brother Brad and former teammates such as Ryan O'Gara and Mike Will helped pave the way to an expanded leadership role.

"It's been growing on me," DeSimone said. "Going through it every year, you learn from other people and see how they handle it. I feel pretty comfortable."

The best part for BG is DeSimone doesn't get uncomfortable if he isn't approaching his scoring average.

Setting up someone else to score and preventing someone from doing the same works for DeSimone even if the box score doesn't look impressive the next day.

"He has a great basketball IQ," O'Connor said. "There have been games where he hasn't scored a lot of points, but he totally controls the tempo of the game on both ends of the floor."

DeSimone is also under control about his basketball future with a 4.3 grade-point average on a 5.0 scale and 23 ACT. Division II Quincy has offered but he plans to play out the season to see what happens.

"That's the dream," DeSimone said of playing Division I, "but I can accept playing Division II or Division III if I can play right away."

O'Connor said it's a mature view that shows DeSimone didn't let his early varsity promotion go his head.

"I remember when Paul and I were called up I was so excited," DeSimone said. "I remember it like yesterday."

And there are more exciting days on the horizon for Brian DeSimone.