Nate Flowers is not quite the biggest guy on the basketball court when the 6-foot-5 senior checks into the game for Oklahoma City University, but his mindset says he’s the toughest to hit the hardwood.
Flowers, this week’s Super Star of the Week from Waldorf, Md., displays his toughness by leading the Stars in a multitude of statistical categories. He averages 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game and has racked up 12 double-doubles this season. His pride on the court is snagging rebounds on the defensive end of the court, a category in which he ranks third in NAIA Division I basketball.
OCU head coach Kevin Morrissey sees Flowers’ rebounding skills as an undervalued commodity for the Stars.
“Nate has been very influential on the rebounding part of the floor which is really undervalued by many people,” Morrissey said. “It takes someone who is tough to go rebound because it’s a physical aspect of the game. A lot of times guys shy away from that contact, and Nate certainly doesn’t shy away from the contact. Nate is one of those players that is really committed to rebounding.”
“It’s just about heart and toughness,” Flowers said of the art of the rebound. “Coach always says that defensive rebounding is defense; to end the possession you have to get the rebound. I think it just shows toughness and a will to want to win.”
Perhaps for Flowers that toughness and heart comes with pedigree. You see, Nate’s mother Pamela Kelly-Flowers knows a thing or two about the game. She’s a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, has three all-American nods and two national championships with Louisiana Tech to brag about.
In college, Kelly-Flowers was considered a dominant low-post player even though she just reaches 6-foot tall. Kelly-Flowers racked up her fair share of points and rebounds too, totaling 2,979 points and 1,511 rebounds as her team lost just 10 games during her career.
Those facts should make it no surprise that Nate and his younger brother John grew up with the game from as long as Flowers can remember.
“I’ve been playing pretty much since I was a baby. Ever since I was little, we had a Fisher Price hoop that me and my brother used to play on in the basement. From there, our father got us a hoop, and we put it in the front yard and we would just beat up on each other all day until my mom would tell us we had to come inside. She’d have to make us come inside.”
John, a starter at West Virginia, is averaging 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Mountaineers in his senior season. This sibling rivalry and competition on the court is still alive and well as the two brothers finish up their collegiate careers.
The sometimes braggadocious brothers compare stat lines, talk about who will win their next game of one-on-one, share advice and exhibit pride in each other’s accomplishments as they weave their way through separate collegiate basketball paths.
That basketball love that was cultivated by family is becoming more and more refined this season on the court for OCU. But the words of advice from his family keep Flowers focused on being the best basketball player – and person – he can be.
“They tell me just to play hard, you never know who’s watching and anybody could be in the stands,” Flowers said. “My dad always tells me to play hard, cheer on my teammates and just try and be a good person because you never know who’s watching.”
“She’ll give her points here and there and drop her two cents and tell me what I can do better,” Flowers said of his Hall of Fame mother. “Really she just tells me to play hard and have fun and just keep your head up and listen to your coach.”
Morrissey can see that Flowers appreciates the words of wisdom his family has provided.
“The advice that his parents gave him is very sound,” Morrissey said. “You just never know who’s in the building and who’s paying attention not only to your game directly on the floor but how you carry yourself on the bench, away from the action. Nate’s not a real vocal leader per say. I think he does a lot of his leadership through his actions perhaps.”
Flowers is working to recognize his own game, separate from his brother and mother. A game that he hopes he can continue on with as a career.
“I’m my own person, so I’ve got to try to build my own niche,” Flowers said. “I’m going to bring the heart and I’m going to bring a toughness to your team that is unmatched. I’m a player that’s going to bring it every night.”
Flowers believes his niche is playing basketball whole-heartedly. And with unparalleled toughness.
More on Nate:
Favorite OCU professor: Professor Lochman
My next vacation is to: Miami
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan
If I played another sport, it would be: Football
Career plans: Become a professional basketball player
