by Keenan Davis
LSU Sports Information
The name ” Collis Temple” is becoming synonymous with LSU basketball. During the early seventies (72-74), Collis Temple Jr., helped integrate basketball here at LSU. He was the first African-American to ever play in the purple and gold. Of course, it was a rarity to see blacks participating on the collegiate level.
Nonetheless, Temple denounced all of the stereotypes that confronted him and undoubtedly set the stage for those who would follow behind.
“Yes, it was difficult at times,” said Collis Temple Jr. “But my father (Collis Temple) made sure … as a matter of fact he made it his primary mission in life that I was prepared mentally as well as physically to deal with any and every adverse situation that might arise.”
Nearly a quarter of a century later, Collis Temple III, helps to continue the family legacy at LSU. In his red-shirt freshman season, Temple has blossomed into an all-around player. At 6-6, Collis displays amazing ball-handling skills. Currently, he fills the back-up point guard role to fellow freshman Torris Bright. Temple’s all-round playing ability also allows him to collect minutes at other positions on the floor.
Temple saw limited action last year due to a hip injury during Fan Day drills. The hip injury sidelined him for almost the entire season, however he was able to practice with the team the latter portion of the campaign.
“Last year was tough for me, said Collis Temple III.” “We had discussed red-shirting as a possibility before the injury but it was not what I really wanted to do. Now, I’m a firm believer that it happened for a reason. This year has really proven to me that I needed that year.”
Collis Temple III possesses several qualities that derive directly from his father. “My father always told me one thing,” Temple said. “You can’t get ahead by staying in the bed.”
It was his father, Collis Temple, who instilled in junior some of life’s most important principals. “My father played an important role in my life, said Collis Temple Jr.” “I have always told my son (Collis Temple III) that the most important thing that creates success is hard work. Nothing surpasses old-fashioned hard work. My father always told me that and when my sons need advice to overcome obstacles I just tell them to keep working hard at whatever it is.”
During Collis Temple III junior season in high school, he put his father’s “favorite saying” to the test. He woke up every single morning at 5 a.m. He would really begin to develop his game by exercising, shooting, dribbling and conditioning; meanwhile, he managed to eat a hot breakfast before the bell rang for school.
“I know how dedicated my father is in everything he does, said Collis Temple III. “He challenged me to be better … not just better than myself but better than the next man.”
Those rigorous early morning workouts paid off serious dividends for Collis during his senior season. He averaged 26.9 points per game, seven rebounds, seven assists and shot 52 percent from the field. Those numbers earned Temple his second consecutive All-State selection as well as an honorable mention All-American nomination.
Despite the fact that Collis Temple III is rangy and has the obvious ability to score, many people have people wonder how is he responding to the pressures of handling the ball more.
“It’s funny how people ask me how does it feel to play point, said Temple. “The truth is I’m a natural point. Every time I’m not at point I’m technically out of position.”
Temple has been point guard every since he was six years old. He didn’t begin to grow until the eleventh grade. “When I was in the tenth grade I was just 5’9″, the eleventh I got up to 6’1″, and my senior year I was 6’4″,” Temple said. Over the last year alone I’ve grown almost three inches.” The height advantage that Temple has over much smaller guards proves to be another weapon in his repertoire to offset the opponent.
Many skeptics who have followed Collis throughout his life wondered how he would respond to his new role on the team. Despite being a deadly scorer in high school where he tallied over 2,000 points, Temple has been relinquished to a different role on the team. He leads the team in charges taken in just over ten minutes of action per game.
“It’s been a hard adjustment for me especially at the beginning of the season,” said Collis Temple III. “I always want to play an important role on the team. When I wasn’t playing as much it helped me dig further down inside to find out what I was really about. Coach Brady has brought me along slowly and I understand how that has benefited both myself and the team.”
Despite playing a critical role for the Tigers this season, Temple has been plagued with injuries. “I’ve had four ankle sprains this year already, said Temple.” “It’s been my right ankle three times and my left once. They’ve bothered me severely at times but it was just something else that I used to dig deep within myself; that’s what my father would have done.”
Nonetheless, Temple is averaging a modest four points and two assists per game and leadership that is priceless to a team with a 21-4 record. It can safely be said that losing isn’t a part of the “Collis Temple” pedigree. When the governor asked the original Collis Temple if his son could come in and help integrate LSU he didn’t hesitate. During the early seventies when equal opportunity was unwarranted, the second Temple refused to hesitate as well. Today, the stage has been set for Collis Temple III, perhaps the next in the bloodline that won’t hesitate. Valuable qualities have been passed down and barriers have been broken that allows this Temple to compete at such a high level. If given the opportunity, Collis shows the potential and desire to guide this team to higher plains.
“I can’t lose. If you give me the smallest of a chance, I won’t lose!”