Respect Grows for Housman's Talents

What are the odds a boy could enter high school at 5 feet 3 and end up playing NCAA Division I basketball?

Drew Housman of Calabasas is the 1,000-to-1 longshot who's going to make it.

He was so small three years ago that his jersey reached his knees when it wasn't tucked in.

"I was swimming in it," he said.

He would enter gymnasiums and would be greeted by snickers, smirks and laughter, with fans wondering whether Housman had missed the junior high bus.

At one road game, students chanted, "Oompa Loompa" when he shot free throws, comparing Housman to the diminutive workers from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

"I guess it took some strength and inner courage to stand in there and play," he said.

His coach, Russell White, believed so much in Housman's skills that he started him as a freshman.

Now, in his senior year, Housman has grown to 5-10, is a four-year starter, has committed to Harvard and ranks among the best point guards in Southern California.

In the opening week of play, Housman scored 29 points in a one-point loss to Clovis West and 30 points in a double-overtime loss to Long Beach Poly in the Huntington Beach Ocean View tournament. He also scored 26 and 39 points in victories over Fontana and Laurinburg (N.C.).

"It wasn't until after he fouled out we could breathe a sigh of relief," Long Beach Poly Coach Sharrief Metoyer said. "Offensively, he's as good as they come. We threw a variety of defenses at him. He's very clever."

A year ago, in the Southern Section Division III-AA championship game against Santa Margarita, Housman earned respect for rallying the Coyotes from a 19-point deficit. He scored 23 of his 26 points in the second half. Calabasas lost, 57-55, but Housman, who made five three-pointers at the Arrowhead Pond, proved he could play.

"I was bummed out," Housman said of the defeat, "but it was like a statement. I learned I could shoot in an arena."

During the summer, college coaches got an audition of sorts from Housman, who played at camps and in tournaments.

They expressed the logical concerns whether Housman could guard someone at the next level because of his size.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride," Housman said of the recruiting process. "Some schools I wish they had recruited me more, but my goal is to become good enough to lead Harvard to the Ivy League championship."