By Robert Wilson
McLaurin junior guard Michael Wallace doesn’t have any college scholarship offers yet, but his first-year coach Don Moore believes that will change soon.
Especially if the 6-foot-2 Wallace keeps putting numbers like last week.
Wallace scored 30 points with 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists in a 50-47 loss to Noxubee County in a MHSAA Class 3A, Region 5 game.
He also had a triple double – 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – and had 3 steals in a 56-44 victory over Lake.
For his outstanding performance, Wallace has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
“Michael is a true leader,” Moore said. “He is a gamer, the bigger the moment the better he plays. I told him at the beginning of the week that leading this team will come in many forms sometimes he has to score, sometimes he has to assist, and sometimes he has to do the dirty work. Michael told me before the (last) Tuesday game that he wanted to get one of our younger players going early to give him confidence and a spark to the team and he came out strong with four assists in the first quarter, seeking his teammates. All while crashing the boards like a big man. And when it was closing time, he took the responsibility of finishing game with great ball handling and a clutch free throw down the stretch.
“The next game night, we knew that he would need to have a big performance to us in a big district game. Both teams were playing tough defense and Michael was everywhere, sticking his nose in every play, rebounding and positioning himself to come up with steals and after they went on a run, we leaned on our leader, who scored 22 points in the second half alone, 13 in the fourth quarter.”
Wallace is averaging 25.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.4 steals this season going into this week for 13-9 McLaurin. Wallace, who transferred from Ridgeland to McLaurin this school year, has a career high of 37 points.
He has selected to the North-South All-Star Game, has never made below a B in high school and has been award the Student of the Month at McLaurin.
“Michael is a coach’s dream,” Moore said. “A tough player with skills, brains, court awareness, and plays selfless. With this being my first season as the head coach at McLaurin, our program was blessed to have Michael show up on campus. He is a leader, and willing to do whatever it takes to win. He is like having another coach on the court. He makes the game easier for everyone. The ting that is so refreshing about Michael is the fact that scoring points is not the most important thing. He would be content defending the other team’s best player and not scoring or assisting every time down the court as long as it results in a win. This kid is a program builder, program changer and any program would be better for having a player of his caliber and mindset.”
Wallace is the son of Cortessa Edwards of Brandon and Michael Wallace of Fort Knox, Ky. Cortessa is married to David Edwards and Michael is married to Marta Wallace. Cortessa was a member of the baskeball, track and cross country teams at Yazoo City High. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi University for Women and her master’s degree from Strayer University. Michael was a member of the basketball, football, and baseball teams, as well the band and JROTC. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Post University in Connecticut and his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. Michael is a retired military veteran from the United States Army.
Wallace has five siblings, Malia Wallace, Dhillion Edwards, Dhyaton Edwards, Micah Wallace, and Micayla Wallace.
Wallace’s uncle, Shaun Williams, coached him throughout his youth.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
Previous Players of the Week
Week One: Mike Williams, Jackson Academy
Week Two: Dylan Rowe, Madison Central
Week Three: Eric Paymon, Raymond
Week Four: Ashton Magee, MRA
Week Five: Morris Hammond, Ridgeland
