MEN'S BASKETBALL: Senior reflects on injury, style of play

As the son of a former Major League Baseball pitcher, fifth-year senior Matt Kamieniecki was raised in a competitive environment.

“I was taught from my dad to never take a play off,” Kamieniecki said. “To always play each game like it’s your last.”

Since arriving at Ball State as a freshman out of Clarkston, Michigan in 2010, Kamieniecki has experienced a lot of change.

He is the only player remaining from the 2010-11 men’s basketball team. The program is under new leadership, with James Whitford replacing Billy Taylor as head coach prior to the 2013-14 season. Kamieniecki has even grown an inch and added 18 pounds.

One constant over that time, however, has been Kamieniecki’s on-the-court effort.

“[The way I play] is something that I got credit for when I came [to Ball State],” Kamieniecki said. “It’s just kind of something that came naturally to me at a young age.”

Whether it’s diving for loose balls, battling on the boards for second-chance opportunities or giving up his body on a charge, Ball State’s lone senior has earned a reputation.

His reckless style does come with a few drawbacks, as Kamieniecki has played through nagging back and hip injuries all season.

“There’s a difference between being injured and being sore,” he said. “You just got to learn to play through some stuff. You kind of get used to it after a while.”

Last season, Kamieniecki, unable to play through an injured wrist, redshirted and missed the entire year.

The Cardinals finished 5-25, the programs all-time lowest winning percentage.

“[Missing the season] was very hard,” Kamieniecki said. “If you’re out for a reason you can control then I think it’s a little easier. But injuries you can’t really control ... that was the hardest thing about it.”

Kamieniecki has been an integral part of Ball State’s success since returning to the floor this year. At 6-foot-8, he is the tallest player on the roster, and through 14 games leads the team in total rebounds, blocks and steals.

Despite continuing to produce on the boards and on the defensive end, Kamieniecki has put time into improving his offensive game, resulting in a career-high 8.8 points per contest.

His work-ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

“You watch him in practice, and he’s limping,” Whitford said. “Then all of a sudden the game comes and it’s like balls of fire … He’s a warrior.”

As Kamieniecki concludes his final collegiate season, he doesn’t know what he wants to do after. He is working on finishing his master’s degree in business, but said he plans on returning home and taking time off before making a business decision.

For now, he is focused on helping Ball State reclaim the Mid-American Conference championship and return to the NCAA tournament, a feat the program hasn’t achieved since 1999-2000.

“We always talk about reaching [our maximum potential],” Kamieniecki said. “I don’t know how many wins that’s going to be; as long as we play our best, that’s what really matters.”

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