St. Louis Connections at the Elite Eight

Former Great Players on the Two Staffs

(Chicago, IL) – There are some fun St. Louis connections at the Elite Eight here in the Windy City. While Tennessee and Michigan are preparing for their Sunday game at United Center, we caught up former St. Lousians that are right in the middle of the mix.

Volunteer assistant coach Gregg Polinsky and Michigan grad assistant Luke Kasubke each enjoyed spectacular high school basketball careers. Polinsky played in the 1970s for the Ladue Rams. During Kasubke’s prep career (late 2010s) he was one of the greatest scorers in the storied Chaminade Prep High School history. Chaminade celebrates NBA stars, Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal and David Lee.

Polinsky was an elite scorer for his Rams and was recently inducted into the school’s athletics hall-of-fame. (Side note, Polinsky and I played against one another in high school and I’m not in my high school’s hall-of-fame). He went on to play and New Mexico and Northern Arizona (I went on to play intramurals and Central Missouri State).

During Kasubke’s college career, he  spent time at Kansas State, Illinois State and North Dakota State. He battled injuries throughout his collegiate career.

Polinsky has spent most of his adult basketball career in the NBA. Prior to 23 seasons in scouting positions for the New Jersey Nets, he was an nine-year assistant coach at Alabama and was a head coach at Georgia Southern.

Kasubke’s Experiences

Kasubke is Chaminade’s fourth leading career scoring leader Tatum, Beal and Lee and a two-time all-stater.

He’s thrilled to be a part of the Michigan staff and obviously to be a part of an Elite Eight program.

Kasubke says Dusty May is an amazing coach.

There was amazing high school talent in the St. Louis area during Kasubke’s prep career. He says the great rivalry between Christian Brothers’ College and the play of Caleb Love comes to mind. Kasubke has had the privilege of playing with Tatum in some ‘open gym’ situations.

St. Louis Connections – Polinsky

Polinsky joined the Tennessee program as a volunteer scout and has worked his way into coach Rick Barnes’ inner circle. He says he has great respect for head coach Rick Barnes and loves being able to help young men and younger coaches grow and develop. He wants to lend to others, what has been lent to him.

He remembers his days at Ladue with great fondness. He says Hasan Houston (University City/Kansas)  was the best prep player he faced (I wasn’t on his list).

Polinsky’s return to college basketball was as a volunteer analyst with Barnes and Tennessee. Due to his age and history, he created the ability to choose where he wanted to go. He wanted to work with someone he truly respected and work with young people he could truly help.

 

So St. Louisians can choose which of their former neighbors they want to win, but either way one of these St. Louis connections will be heading to the Final Four.

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