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In His Father's Image: DeSales' Kellogg Will Play at State, Just Like His Dad Did

Posted on: Thursday, 23 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Mark Znidar, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Mar. 23--In many ways, Alex Kellogg has never had a chance to be an average high-school student.

He has compiled a 3.45 gradepoint average at DeSales, where high marks come hard. At 6 feet 7, 215 pounds, he's not going to blend into any crowd, even when playing basketball.

But the main reason Kellogg can never be another student is that last name. Alex's father, Clark, is as recognizable with Ohio sports fans as Jim Tressel, LeBron James and Ken Griffey Jr.

That could be a heavy load for a 16-year-old playing the same game in which his father was an All-American at Cleveland St. Joseph High School, a Big Ten player of the year at Ohio State and NBA rookie of the year with the Indiana Pacers.

Almost two decades after a knee injury forced him to retire prematurely, Clark Kellogg remains visible as a college basketball analyst for CBS.

"There are some challenges for Alex being his father's son," DeSales coach Blair Albright said. "Every place we go, Alex will hear his name chanted. That can be intimidating, but he doesn't let it get to him. He just plays hard. That's because Alex is his own man."

When Alex is asked about the attention, he smiles and patiently answers.

"I've adjusted to all that," he said. "I know people are watching, but I don't have any pressure. I just play basketball.

"My dad told me a long time ago that everyone would be watching because of my last name and that I'd be a target. He says to play my game and play with poise . . . and never leave anything on the court."

It's obvious that Alex, a junior, has listened well. He has averaged 15.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in helping lead the Stallions (19-6) into their first state tournament since 1987. They'll face Wooster Triway (25-0) at 10:45 a.m. Friday in a Division II semifinal in Value City Arena.

Kellogg made first-team All-Central Catholic League and honorable mention all-district even though he was not serious about basketball until seventh grade. Soccer had been his favorite sport.

"I've seen a couple of highlight tapes of my dad and he was pretty nasty," Alex said. "He was a better shooter and more aggressive, but I think I might be more athletic. I can jump higher. I'm learning all the time. I'm getting more serious."

The state tournament is where Clark Kellogg's legend began to grow. He scored a championship-game record 51 points in a loss to East in the 1979 Class AAA title game. He was such a figure that opponents would ask for autographs after games.

Now, Clark and his wife, Rosy, will watch their oldest son on the big stage. As usual, they will try to be inconspicuous.

"I do get nervous watching the big games, but overall I'm a good fan," said Clark, who will fly from New York for the game. "The only things I ever told Alex were to give his best effort and to be a good teammate. He knew the last name would be a blessing and a curse. The fans do unload on him a little bit, but we talked about that a long time before it happened. As parents, we've never pushed him."

Clark learned the hands-off approach from his father. Clark Sr., a detective with the Cleveland Police Department, often stood in a doorway in a corner of the gym so he wouldn't be a distraction for his son or the St. Joseph coach.

"There will be games when I don't even know my dad is there," Alex said. "He'll sit way up in the stands."

Alex doesn't know how he'll react being on center stage. He said the bottom line is that this weekend is about DeSales and not him.

"I'm really excited. We've worked so hard for this as a team," he said. "I'm just going to go out there and compete. I'll play hard and play my best."

mznidar@dispatch.com

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Source: The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

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