| The College of Manhattan basketball program that | | | | For Laue and many other high school athletes |
| usually can be seen on ESPN Full court is hoping | | | | trying to earn a full scholarship to any school, |
| for the best in freshman recruit Kevin Laue. Laue | | | | your senior year is your last chance to prove |
| who is from Pleasanton California is happy he was | | | | your critics wrong. |
| able to make his dreams come true by attending | | | | It seem things might change even after being |
| a division 1 school on a basketball scholarship. It's | | | | featured in a 2007 Sports Illustrated article he still |
| been a rough road for Laue who was not like | | | | had no takers. Instead of giving up he decided to |
| most 6'11 high school centers that have practically | | | | do a prep year at Fork Union Military Academy in |
| every major college program knocking on their | | | | Virginia. It was there that most mid major |
| door and sending them recruiting letters just | | | | coaches saw a kid who really did have potential. |
| because of their height. He has the skills to play at | | | | Unfortunately he was still only being recruited by a |
| a major program, but most coaches immediately | | | | majority of division three schools. |
| ruled him out because of one thing. | | | | Finally in March of 2009 he received a scholarship |
| When Laue was born, he was healthy but due to | | | | offer from division 1 Manhattan College. It was |
| low prenatal blood circulation his left arm never | | | | not the same, as going to UNC or Syracuse for |
| grew past his elbow. His right arm fully developed | | | | basketball but it didn't matter. After years of hard |
| but his left arm never has. As a child growing up | | | | work and listening to people tell him it's not |
| because of what his parents and most thought | | | | possible Laue made his dream come true. He had |
| was a disability for him, he was often encouraged | | | | already left the sunny coastline of California to |
| to play soccer but refused. Laue was interested in | | | | attend a military academy in order to get were |
| basketball and was determined to play the sport | | | | he always new he could be, and finally his chance |
| he really loved. As a youngster he had problems | | | | had arrived. |
| playing with only one hand and struggled a lot but | | | | For all the doubters in his ability to compete |
| he never gave up. By the eighth grade he had | | | | against division 1 competition, they will get to see |
| grown taller and was able to easily palm the ball | | | | on November 14, when Manhattan takes on N.J.I.T |
| and dunk with one hand. | | | | in their first game of the year. It will also be the |
| Once he reached Amador Valley high School he | | | | new beginning of Laue's journey to become a |
| was able to develop his game even more and as | | | | legitimate division 1 player. He knows its his first |
| a junior he was the starting center and a force to | | | | year at the college level and does not expect to |
| be reckoned with on the basketball court. While | | | | become an All American over night, but he is |
| other players he sometimes dominated got | | | | expecting to prove his point that don't matter |
| attention from big name schools he still received | | | | how much people try to hold you down, hard |
| no offers. After breaking his leg he missed his | | | | work and determination can get you anywhere. |
| senior year, which at the time was hard for him. | | | | |