Kevin Grogan,
Gear for Multisport
As the 2019 college basketball season gets underway, it seemed like a perfect time to check-in with Clermont’s favorite NBA legend; former UF Gator great Andrew Declercq. A longtime resident of south Lake County, Declercq is very involved with his family, church, and community these days. With a ten year NBA career in the books, Andrew is now an All-Star community leader around town.
Tablet: You were part of some great UF Gator teams and a storied career in Gainesville. I spoke to your former teammate Greg “Tiny” Williams. He had this to say. “Andrew was always very passionate; hard working. He was dedicated to his craft and showed up every day to work! It was an honor to know Andrew and play alongside him!” What is your best Gator memory?
Declercq: One of my favorite memories was from the Elite 8 game in Miami in 1994. There were just a few seconds on the clock. I think Craig Brown was on the free-throw line. The game was basically over and it finally hit me that we were going to win and we were going to the Final Four. We had been fighting and sacrificing for striving for that goal since our freshman year (3 years) and to finally be there together as a team and accomplish it.
Tablet: Former Florida Athletic Ticket manager Jason Kelso recalled, “Andrew gave a 1000% effort. A big man who would leave it all on the floor. His hustle alone carried him into the NBA.” What was your biggest obstacle to overcome during your basketball days?
Declercq: My biggest obstacle has always been myself. All the doubts about whether I was good enough or belonged on the team? It doesn’t make any sense now looking back. But I was always questioning my own ability to walk onto the court and be successful. It drove me to work as hard as I could each & every day. I would feel guilty about taking a day off.
Tablet: Describe your 10-year playing career in the NBA?
Declercq: Ha! This is a loaded question for me. To steal a quote from A Tale of Two Cities; “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…”
It was an amazing time and experience, it ruled everything in my life, and I was terrified it would go away any day. I got the chance to stand on a court with 360 of the best basketball players in the world at that moment. And I got to play with and against some of the best to have ever played the game. And every summer, they drafted 60 young guys and gave them the opportunity to take my spot on the team. Every day I wondered if I was going to be playing, traded or just outright told to go home because I wasn’t good enough.
Tablet: Your faith is very important to you. Tell us about how this has shaped the man and father you are today.
Declercq: This is a hard question to answer in just a few sentences. I was raised in the church and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a young age. It has shaped everything I have done in life. I have not been perfect, for sure. There were years, where I was not trying to live a Christian life. But along the way, I have always had a knowledge that there is a God and there is a Devil, there is a right and wrong. My path through life has been to try to discover those truths and to figure out how to live the way Jesus would want me too. How should I be acting or responding to the world and everything that is going on around me? As time goes on, and I grow older and I experience the joys and trials of being a husband and father, I have learned that I am innately a selfish person, but just being aware of that and by studying the Bible I can see a better way to live more open and giving.
Tablet: Born in the motor city of Detroit, Michigan. Were you always into hoops during your childhood?
Declercq: Growing up I was a huge Michigan Wolverine fan. GO BLUE! I enjoyed playing sports more than watching them. My first love was soccer. But about the time I hit high school, I was growing about 2 inches every month and I kept hurting myself trying to keep up with the shorter zig-zagging soccer players. As I grew I also realized I was getting better at basketball and so it became a natural transition for me.
Tablet: A graduate of Clearwater’s Countryside High before heading to the University of Florida. Was it an easy decision to stay home in the Sunshine State?
Declercq: Originally I wanted nothing to do with the University of Florida. Back then UF was in the Norm Sloan times and that style did not fit my game very well and then they had some sanctions from the NCAA that caused them to have to rebuild. I was looking to go to the Big10, Big 12 or ACC. But I like this one coach from Kansas State, Lon Krueger. I thought it was a joke the day he took the UF job. But once I got on campus and saw the facilities and met the guys on the team, it felt very comfortable and I realize how I could fit in there.
Tablet: Easily spotted (standing 6’10) on the South Lake trail riding your 63 inch, Seven Titanium road bike. What do you enjoy about cycling?
Declercq: I have always been a big fan of bikes. My ancestry is Belgium as well, so I grew up watching my Dad rode his road bikes in groups. When I was ending my basketball career I had some knee injuries and so running was no longer a viable option for staying in shape. But cycling is a lot easier on the knees, plus I like to go fast and see the scenery change. For me, cycling is my time to challenge myself physically and give my brain a chance to focus. I always seem to think better after intense physical exercise.
Tablet: I happened to be on the NTC fields to watch a couple of your soccer practices that you coach. I can’t help but think some of your phenomenal leadership skills have been passed down from the great coaches you have had coached by Lon Kruger (UF), Rick Pitino (Celtics), Rick Adelman (Warriors), and Doc Rivers (Magic) to name a few. Do you find yourself reflecting those days as a player when you’re out there coaching your kids & the youth of Clermont?
Declercq: Sport, in general, has been such a big part of my life. I pretty much relate everything to it. The lessons that can be learned on the court, field or track can be applied to so many parts of life. I enjoy coaching my kids and their friends as a way to help pass down these lessons. Having played at every level that sport can provide, I can also see the importance of letting kids experience both sides of sports, winning and losing, being the best player and the one who needs help to learn. My dad used to tell me “Don’t let your highs get too high, or your lows get to low. There is another game coming up on the schedule. And in the next game, there may be someone bigger, faster, stronger or just plain better than you. Go give it your best effort today, and if you are not satisfied with the results and go practice more to get better.”
Clermont Holiday Parade; only guy as big as Declercq..Chewy
Kevin Grogan is a contributing writer for the South Lake Tablet. He is also the owner of Gear for Multisport, Athletic Gear and a south Lake athlete.
