We Reminisce: Shawn Respert
In the comments section of Smack this morning, reader “BiG ShoT BoB” recounted the 1995 NBA Draft and asked, “Who the hell is Shawn Respert and why did the Blazers use an 8th pick on him?”
That sent me into a mad scramble trying to unearth the “We Reminisce” feature on Respert I wrote for Dime #41. Since I couldn’t find the file, here’s the short version: Respert was a professional scoring guard at Michigan State in the mid-90s, a BEAST in college who was a little small for the pros, but ultimately had his NBA career was derailed when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in his rookie year. (The cancer has been in remission for years, and Respert was fully healthy when I last spoke to him.)
In lieu of that Dime #41 story, though, I have this: Respert unleashing the Black Plague on Michigan in ‘95, when the “other two” Fab Five members were still on the squad.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Al says:
Dude could ball , he talked trash as well
I remember him and Eric Snow like it was yesterday
July 9th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
sxm says:
hope he is doing well, hate to hear of anyone dealing with cancer.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
Wow I like this dudes game great scorer. Thanks AB good looking out. No wonder I don’t remember seeing this guy NBA. Great to hear he’s doing well. Guess you could compare him to Jodie Meeks in this years draft.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Detroit Dave says:
I think he works as a Player Development guy for the Rockets. Seen him at a Pistons Game
July 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
It would be cool now that things are slow on the NBA front to do a analysis of the past drafts up to a certain year..maybe one feature everyday just talking about the picks and you guys thoughts. Just ideas for columns since I know it’s hard for you guys to find material during these grueling off season months…LOL
July 9th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
control says:
Two words: Injury Prone…
July 9th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Jay says:
Control- Injury Prone? a cancer patient is considered injury prone?
Respert was a stud. Favorite college baller of all-time. Go Spartans!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
mosduff says:
word up Dime. good shit. he was always one of my favorite players. Especially cuz he was way cool with me and my punk friends after we were hanging out next to the visitor locker room after a jazz game.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
showydisplay says:
Respert and Snow (at that time) had the best backcourt PERIOD. Respert just never found his niche, yeah he is here in HTown as a Rox coach of some sort.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Kudabeen says:
So he is how Eric Snow was prepared to play with AI…
July 9th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
dk says:
Wow, that sux…lol Look ma I got cancer before I got paid!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Simon says:
Anyone could ball with fly shoes like he had!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
RJ206 says:
on a side note, Converse needs to re-release those Cons TARMAX again.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
crossphaded says:
I was a big fan of Respert coming out of college, but like most “tweener” guards, unless you were a deadeye gunslinger like Ben Gordon or Vinnie Johnson, those types struggle to find a niche in the NBA. Sucks about his cancer, but that’s good news its in remission.
Same with Rodney Monroe…what ever happened to him? He was a baller at NC State.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Big Island says:
Respert was nice.
I always had a mega boner for the Louisville team with Everick Sullivan, Jerome Harmon, Tony Kimbro… And my all time favorite, and in hindsight maybe not the best baller ever like I would argue, Kenny Payne.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
K Dizzle says:
That “Fire and Ice” backcourt was the truth. One guy would light you up, other dude was cool you off. Can’t say I ever thought Snow woulda had the longer/better career…
July 9th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
bobby stew says:
@kudabeen I was thinking the same thing about Snow. Respert ranks up ther with Randolph Childress, Victor Page, and Scotty Thurman as great college guards who didn’t pan out in the NBA.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
bobby stew says:
I can’t leave out Harold Deane, Curtis Staples, and Corey Alexander
July 9th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Dodge Taylor says:
Unfortunately, don’t forget Trajan Langdon and Lawrence Moten
July 9th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
rocky lobs says:
big island is big wylin’ for that aayyooo statement
July 10th, 2009 at 12:27 am
russ says:
..and to a smaller extent, terry dehere
July 10th, 2009 at 8:29 am
KnicksFan84 says:
That dude was a beast in college. Things like that happen. I wonder whatever happened to Courtney Alexander. The dude the Wizards had along with Rip Hamilton during Jordan years, looked like he could ball at one point.