Wojo: Young players find direction with the Spartan way

East Lansing — They're here for a lot of reasons, from the coach to the players to the relentless, grinding effort. Like many collective accomplishments, the Spartans are here because they appreciate where they were, and how they were pushed.

They're here because two freshmen, Marvin Clark Jr. and Lourawls Nairn Jr., took their junior statuses seriously and looked up to others. They're here because two seniors, Branden Dawson and Travis Trice, took their senior statuses seriously and reached down.

The distance between travails and triumph always has been narrow, in life and basketball. Clark knows it as well as anyone, hitting the go-ahead basket with 39 seconds against Louisville, then missing two free throws before Michigan State won in overtime. That gap closed in a matter of seconds. The biggest gap has taken a lifetime.

"Adversity, that's kind of a crazy word," Clark said before Michigan State headed to Indianapolis for its Final Four clash with Duke. "Because on the floor, for us basketball players, we kind of see that as the end of the world. Off the floor, people are hungry, starving, having to go fight in wars. Going through what I've gone through, that's given me the never-quit, never-die attitude, and I try to translate it to the floor."

The translation is apparent, and the transition is underway. After a blazing start, Clark hit a slide, played sparingly for more than a month, and now re-emerges at critical times. He thanks Dawson, his mentor, just as Nairn thanks Trice. And in those relationships, you find the secret code of Michigan State basketball under Tom Izzo. There aren't many polished products — certainly not as many as Duke — so you play with passion and you help the next guy any way you can.

Clark was lost growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, shuttled from relatives' homes to a foster home to a domestic violence center, sometimes to no home at all. His father, Marvin Clark Sr., died in a car accident when Clark was 3. His mother had six children and struggled to provide for them.

Amid a cluttered life, there always was basketball. And while Clark's story isn't rare, his response is revelatory.

"I would just say, at the end of the day, nobody's going to feel sorry for you, no matter where you come from," Clark said. "If you want to make a change, be different. Treat people with respect. I grew up with a lot of kids in the same situation, and a lot go the wrong way. They treat people with disrespect instead of respect."

It's similar to Nairn's tale, growing up in an impoverished neighborhood in the Bahamas, using basketball channels to reach the U.S. without his family. Nairn ended up with Clark at the same high school, Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, and they bonded.

After Nairn signed with Michigan State, he convinced Izzo to take another look at Clark, who had de-committed from Oregon. Nairn is an engaging leader, a 5-foot-10 point guard with the charismatic traits of Mateen Cleaves. He also had to convince Clark that Michigan State was the home he'd long sought, the perfect place for an energetic 6-foot-6 forward who can shoot.

"We meshed right away, once we knew each other's life story," Nairn said. "Any kid growing up without their dad must be hard, but you can never tell by the way Marvin carries himself. He's such a respectful young man. I'm proud of him, and he continues to grow."

Izzo sees players' promise

You listen to Nairn and Clark talk about their pasts in such humble tones, without a hint of anger or regret, and you see what Izzo sees, future leaders. You see what Dawson saw when Clark showed up and immediately started contributing, scoring 15 twice in Michigan State's first four games.

Dawson also grew up without his father, but that wasn't his only connection with Clark. The freshman needed guidance, an occasional ride to class, and a little help understanding why Izzo was yelling at him, and why it was important to listen.

How did Dawson know how to deal with the newcomer? Because others — Draymond Green, Derrick Nix — had done it for Dawson. It's how a great program endures, how Izzo has crafted such continuity, 18 straight years in the tournament, one generation passing traits to the next. When the Spartans talk of their deep-rooted chemistry, this is what they mean.

"Most seniors look at it like an ego thing, they don't really want to help the freshmen," Dawson said. "Not here. Marvin's like my little brother, and I have to take him under my wings. Same thing with Travis and Tum. We're doing it because we love them, we love this team, and they're going to be special in a few more years."

Dawson saw pieces of himself in Clark, just as Trice sees pieces of himself in Nairn. This is not by accident, by the way. Izzo and his staff recruit a particular type of player, valuing toughness and drive as much as talent and height. Oh, Izzo gladly would take a superstar such as Duke's Jahlil Okafor, but players like that attract the heavy recruiters, and perhaps are less willing to deal with the rigors of Michigan State's style.

Dawson is the only McDonald's high school All-American on the roster (Duke has eight). Nairn, like Trice, was a raw, undersized recruit, and his speed and defense have made a difference.

Looking for a spark in February, Izzo started Nairn over the senior. While Trice returned to the starting lineup five games later (replacing Bryn Forbes), the message was sent, although no bond was broken. Nairn calls Trice "an amazing guy," and almost couldn't believe the welcoming response. Trice knew no other way.

"There wasn't any resentment," Trice said. "Nairn's easy to mentor because he wants to learn, he wants to be great too. That's something my parents stressed in me, you're supposed to take care of your younger brothers and sisters. The object is for your younger brothers and sisters to be better than you were. At the same time, I'm helping carry on the legacy here, so it stays the right way."

It may sound repetitive, all this talk of younger and older brothers, of fathers and sons, of family and friends. But it's what Izzo has fostered, and what Clark was desperate to find.

Clark said his mother, Donette Collins-Miller, made choices that put the family in a tough spot, but he doesn't belabor it. She's now a registered nurse and saw him play for the first time at the Big Ten tournament in Chicago, and she'll make the trip to Indianapolis. Speaking of help, here's another example — a new NCAA program allows a $3,000 travel stipend for families of Final Four players, and Clark went out of his way to express his gratitude.

Clark has no regrets

This is no woe-is-me tale. Clark said he had paternal influence from his uncle, Daniel Collins, and foster parents, Jay and Sandy Greco. He estimated he attended seven or eight schools, and moved twice as many times.

"Not really knowing where you're gonna lay your head the next day, it's tough," Clark said. "Since I was 7, I've always had to be the father figure in my family. I love my mom, and she made some bad decisions. At the same time, I wouldn't have it any other way. That's made me the person I am today. I'm kind of happy it happened that way."

Happy? Actually, Clark is one of the most personable, outgoing players on the team. If there are calluses, he doesn't show them. If there are doubts, he doesn't express them.

"Marvin has had to endure things the majority of us wouldn't endure in our lifetimes," assistant Mike Garland said. "The most beautiful thing about it is, it hasn't made him bitter. It hasn't changed him or turned him into the monster that's trying to devour him. He refuses to be that kind of person. Has it made him tougher? Yeah."

It's the journey, not the destination, that defines the person. College basketball and the NCAA Tournament can be a transformative experience if you let it, and get some help along the way.

Clark remembers the hurt but cherishes the help, just like his buddy Nairn and his newfound older brothers. The story of a kid growing up poor isn't new, unfortunately, but there's a prize to be found, if you're determined to look.

"For me, it was just not wanting to be in the same place," Clark said. "Wanting to be better. Bitterness doesn't do anything but keep you in the same position. I envision myself growing up, moving forward and not staying in the same place."

From one rugged place to the next, it's the trip that has broken many and strengthened some. It's a tale always worth retelling, the tale of this team.

bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com

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