Richard Gallion

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Richard Gallion

By Mike Kosman; Web Sports Chicago

(Chicago, Il.) Having Luther Head as your first cousin has been the driving force behind Chicago State's Richard Gallion's will to succeed. As the N.B.A's first round draft pick from the Fighting Illini prepares for his next immense step, so also does Gallion. "Luther has been my inspiration", he said recently at a scorching hot grade school gymnasium while working out on Chicago's north side. "By seeing him go to the pros (Houston) now I know what I've have to do".

Gallion, a 6'4", 190lb. Chicago native from the west side will be playing for Chicago State University in the 2005-2006 season. He comes to the Division 1 Cougars via a few different routes. He played at the community college level for two schools, Clinton College and Parkland College. Because he was not seeing playing time at Parkland, Gallion found himself participating in the Rick Ball Camp at North Park College, where he was averaging 15 points a game. It was there he received a look-see from Chicago State assistant coaches, and an ensuing exchange of phone numbers with them resulted in an invite to the south side college.

Gallion was a four year starter at Lakeview high school in Chicago. His mother moved him and his 4 brothers and 3 sisters from the west side "for our own good" and it was at that north side school where he realized, after a huge growth spurt at the age of 13, that basketball was for him. He currently plays at both the point guard and small forward position. Gallion is athletic, well conditioned, and swift. He can run the point and also do the nasty body work in the paint. He has a fine gentle touch on the jumpers and gets back promptly on the defensive end.

Gallion is a down-to-earth 21 year old whose values and priorities are already focused and clear. Refreshingly he realizes that basketball is not his entire world (he has a 2 year old daughter) and is seriously considering making Pre-Medicine his major at school. "Basketball is not for everyone", he said. "My basketball skills will someday go away, but my smarts never will. Lots of guys take business courses, but I know I can make it in this field and have a career". Talking with him one realizes that he is aware of his compassionate and trusting nature but don't be fooled by that. "I'm the coolest person you can meet. But don't take my kindness for weakness", he said. "I hate being taken advantage of and make sure I'm aware of it when it happens". Here's hoping that in a few years Richard's foremost worries about being taken advantage by others comes from N.B.A. agents.


	WEB SPORTS CHICAGO \| home Richard Gallion By Mike Kosman; Web Sports Chicago (Chicago, Il.) Having Luther Head as your first cousin has been the driving force behind Chicago State's Richard Gallion's will to succeed. As the N.B.A's first round draft pick from the Fighting Illini prepares for his next immense step, so also does Gallion. "Luther has been my inspiration", he said recently at a scorching hot grade school gymnasium while working out on Chicago's north side. "By seeing him go to the pros (Houston) now I know what I've have to do". Gallion, a 6'4", 190lb. Chicago native from the west side will be playing for Chicago State University in the 2005-2006 season. He comes to the Division 1 Cougars via a few different routes. He played at the community college level for two schools, Clinton College and Parkland College. Because he was not seeing playing time at Parkland, Gallion found himself participating in the Rick Ball Camp at North Park College, where he was averaging 15 points a game. It was there he received a look-see from Chicago State assistant coaches, and an ensuing exchange of phone numbers with them resulted in an invite to the south side college. Gallion was a four year starter at Lakeview high school in Chicago. His mother moved him and his 4 brothers and 3 sisters from the west side "for our own good" and it was at that north side school where he realized, after a huge growth spurt at the age of 13, that basketball was for him. He currently plays at both the point guard and small forward position. Gallion is athletic, well conditioned, and swift. He can run the point and also do the nasty body work in the paint. He has a fine gentle touch on the jumpers and gets back promptly on the defensive end. Gallion is a down-to-earth 21 year old whose values and priorities are already focused and clear. Refreshingly he realizes that basketball is not his entire world (he has a 2 year old daughter) and is seriously considering making Pre-Medicine his major at school. "Basketball is not for everyone", he said. "My basketball skills will someday go away, but my smarts never will. Lots of guys take business courses, but I know I can make it in this field and have a career". Talking with him one realizes that he is aware of his compassionate and trusting nature but don't be fooled by that. "I'm the coolest person you can meet. But don't take my kindness for weakness", he said. "I hate being taken advantage of and make sure I'm aware of it when it happens". Here's hoping that in a few years Richard's foremost worries about being taken advantage by others comes from N.B.A. agents.