Single Minded Focus: The Road to Success
From the series: "STAND OUT IN THE CROWD"
by Frank Allocco, Sr.
Series Introduction
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
- 2.9% of high school players will play college basketball.
- Less than 1 in 75, or 1.3 percent of NCAA Seniors will be drafted by an NBA Team.
- About 3 in 10,000 players (0.03 percent) of high school seniors will eventually be drafted by an NBA team.
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
In a region known for talented players, Todd Lichti stands out as one of the greatest high school players in the history of Northern California. Todd’s legendary status as a special athlete grew from his first experience in Little League Baseball where he once earned a win and a save when he pitched half of a little league game right handed and then switched to his left hand to close out the game!
I first met Todd when the young high school freshman attended an open gym at the Latter Day Saints Church in Concord, California. Todd had heard the tales of the Tuesday evening pickup basketball games and the great competitive environment on the cramped court in the middle of the church on Denkinger Avenue. The weekly competition was intense with young adults and college players ignoring the sweltering summer heat and playing each possession as if it were the NBA Finals. Despite his young age, Todd was a gifted player who had the size, strength, ability, and maturity to compete with these players almost twice his age.
I first met Todd when the young high school freshman attended an open gym at the Latter Day Saints Church in Concord, California. Todd had heard the tales of the Tuesday evening pickup basketball games and the great competitive environment on the cramped court in the middle of the church on Denkinger Avenue. The weekly competition was intense with young adults and college players ignoring the sweltering summer heat and playing each possession as if it were the NBA Finals. Despite his young age, Todd was a gifted player who had the size, strength, ability, and maturity to compete with these players almost twice his age.
Despite his young age, Todd was a gifted player who had the size, strength, ability, and maturity to compete with these players almost twice his age.
The tension was high at the conclusion of his baptismal game as Todd stood poised in the right corner, his oversized hands in the shot ready position eager to make the game winning basket. As a crisp chest pass struck his shooting pocket, Todd elevated his body upward creating the power to launch his perfect jump shot. With the game on the line, an eager off-balance defender sprinted toward him, stumbled and caused Todd to fall toward the wall that narrowly framed the baseline. As his body turned uncontrollably, the 6’4” fifteen-year old shifted the ball into his left hand and executed a left handed jump hook as he spiraled to the ground. The game action appeared to freeze in time as the ball reached its perfect arc while both teams looked upward, watching the ball swish perfectly through the net. The crowded gym became eerily silent as everyone realized the unique talent this young man possessed.
Todd’s amazing ability would have been welcomed at any school, but Todd chose to stay in his own neighborhood and make Mount Diablo High School, one of the oldest schools in the Mount Diablo School District, great once again. Todd instantly elevated the Red Devils program and his leadership, unselfishness, and talent made his team a serious contender for league and section championships. The dynamic guard had the ability to score 50 points a game but his unselfish play and wizardry passing skills elevated the performance of his teammates. Their individual and team improvement throughout the year led to a magical season that had them on the brink of their first League Championship in decades.
Throughout high school, Todd was a regular at our Excel Basketball Camps and truly stood out in the legendary post camp games where many of our talented campers would test their skills against the coaches and counselors. There have been countless, unforgettable moments created by our players and staff in the thirty-nine-year history of Excel in Basketball, but none stand out more than the famous slam dunk in the summer of 1986. Everyone who attended camp that year still remembers the Friday afternoon when every camper excitedly lined up, forming a tunnel that stretched from the small gym at Mount Diablo across the length of the main floor. With the final awards ceremony about to begin, Todd burst through the doors and dribbled swiftly across the green and crimson court as two hundred and fifty campers chanted in expectation. As his lead foot touched the foul line, his body elevated gracefully, pausing in midair, hanging in suspended animation. With the brown leather ball secured snugly in his hand and his arms outstretched to the heavens, his body defied gravity as he floated endlessly toward the basket. The orange rim never had a chance as he slammed the ball through the net to the incredible roar of the adoring campers and staff.
Todd’s consistent improvement led to many travel opportunities to further showcase his blossoming skills. Despite the demands of his challenging basketball activities, Todd always made it home to reconnect with his “Excel Family.” He was a regular staff member throughout his basketball career and although he is fondly remembered as one of the finest players and coaches at Excel in Basketball, his ability and competitive fire was truly unique as he lit up the “winners stay on” after camp basketball wars.
Todd’s amazing ability would have been welcomed at any school, but Todd chose to stay in his own neighborhood and make Mount Diablo High School, one of the oldest schools in the Mount Diablo School District, great once again. Todd instantly elevated the Red Devils program and his leadership, unselfishness, and talent made his team a serious contender for league and section championships. The dynamic guard had the ability to score 50 points a game but his unselfish play and wizardry passing skills elevated the performance of his teammates. Their individual and team improvement throughout the year led to a magical season that had them on the brink of their first League Championship in decades.
Throughout high school, Todd was a regular at our Excel Basketball Camps and truly stood out in the legendary post camp games where many of our talented campers would test their skills against the coaches and counselors. There have been countless, unforgettable moments created by our players and staff in the thirty-nine-year history of Excel in Basketball, but none stand out more than the famous slam dunk in the summer of 1986. Everyone who attended camp that year still remembers the Friday afternoon when every camper excitedly lined up, forming a tunnel that stretched from the small gym at Mount Diablo across the length of the main floor. With the final awards ceremony about to begin, Todd burst through the doors and dribbled swiftly across the green and crimson court as two hundred and fifty campers chanted in expectation. As his lead foot touched the foul line, his body elevated gracefully, pausing in midair, hanging in suspended animation. With the brown leather ball secured snugly in his hand and his arms outstretched to the heavens, his body defied gravity as he floated endlessly toward the basket. The orange rim never had a chance as he slammed the ball through the net to the incredible roar of the adoring campers and staff.
Todd’s consistent improvement led to many travel opportunities to further showcase his blossoming skills. Despite the demands of his challenging basketball activities, Todd always made it home to reconnect with his “Excel Family.” He was a regular staff member throughout his basketball career and although he is fondly remembered as one of the finest players and coaches at Excel in Basketball, his ability and competitive fire was truly unique as he lit up the “winners stay on” after camp basketball wars.
There have been countless, unforgettable moments created by our players and staff in the thirty-nine-year history of Excel in Basketball, but none stand out more than the famous slam dunk in the summer of 1986.
One June afternoon, after six intense post camp basketball games, several of our staff members decided to keep the spirit of competition alive by traveling to my house where we competed vigorously in a Nintendo Baseball tournament. After an afternoon of sweeping curve balls and the hypnotic, repetitive electronic music of the now primitive video game, we ended the day lounging on my backyard deck and soaking in the hot tub where the good-natured bantering and basketball war stories continued.
With dinner time approaching, I suggested the “party” move to Skipolini’s Pizza in Clayton where I would buy dinner for everyone. All of our staff members eagerly accepted the invite except Todd who informed us that he could not join us as he had not yet completed his daily workout. Despite the coaxing and cajoling, Lichti remained firmly committed to his plan. The subtle pressure intensified but finally dissipated as we piled into our cars for the short ride to the Pizzeria while he got into his car and silently drove away.
Sixty minutes later, our lengthy Excel day was finally coming to an end as our group, stomachs filled with pizza, finally disbanded and went our separate ways. I hastily entered my car and began the hurried drive to watch my son compete in the Junior Optimist Baseball League. As I drove toward the Tosco playing fields off of Highway 4 in Concord, I was distracted by the sight of a young man drenched in sweat, dribble goggles shadowing his eyes as he rhythmically bounced two basketballs while running alongside the road. I shook my head in admiration as I watched the efficiency of his movement and the strength of his resolve. It was crystal clear that Todd Lichti had a unique commitment and was not going to miss an opportunity to work on his game!
With dinner time approaching, I suggested the “party” move to Skipolini’s Pizza in Clayton where I would buy dinner for everyone. All of our staff members eagerly accepted the invite except Todd who informed us that he could not join us as he had not yet completed his daily workout. Despite the coaxing and cajoling, Lichti remained firmly committed to his plan. The subtle pressure intensified but finally dissipated as we piled into our cars for the short ride to the Pizzeria while he got into his car and silently drove away.
Sixty minutes later, our lengthy Excel day was finally coming to an end as our group, stomachs filled with pizza, finally disbanded and went our separate ways. I hastily entered my car and began the hurried drive to watch my son compete in the Junior Optimist Baseball League. As I drove toward the Tosco playing fields off of Highway 4 in Concord, I was distracted by the sight of a young man drenched in sweat, dribble goggles shadowing his eyes as he rhythmically bounced two basketballs while running alongside the road. I shook my head in admiration as I watched the efficiency of his movement and the strength of his resolve. It was crystal clear that Todd Lichti had a unique commitment and was not going to miss an opportunity to work on his game!
It was crystal clear that Todd Lichti had a unique commitment and was not going to miss an opportunity to work on his game!
It was no surprise to me or anyone else in Concord when Todd became an All-State player and one of the most dominant players in Northern California basketball interscholastic history. His athletic prowess, unconditional commitment, outstanding work ethic, and excellence in the classroom earned him a basketball scholarship to Stanford University where the greatness he exhibited on the Diablo courts quickly transferred to Maples Pavilion as he became a four-time All-Conference performer and three time All-American.
His career at Stanford saw him average 18.8 points per game while becoming the All-Time leading scorer in school history with 2,336 points. I had the pleasure of sitting in Todd’s home with his family the night of the 1989 NBA Draft. I can still recall the spontaneous sound of the tiny room erupting with pride and satisfaction when he was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 15th overall pick.
Todd had a fine rookie season, averaging 8 points per game, and followed that up with an outstanding sophomore season where he continued his development while scoring over 14 points per game competing against the best players in the world. Everything was in place for an amazing NBA career until a foot injury sustained in a car accident contributed to further knee injuries that ultimately limited his effectiveness and ability to perform at an elite level. At the conclusion of his NBA career, Todd’s basketball odyssey took him to Australia where he joined Stanford teammate Andy Vlahov and became a star player for the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League, averaging 16.8 points per game and 5.4 rebounds.
After his playing days, Todd utilized the many lessons he learned through competitive basketball to become a successful entrepreneur and business leader influencing many through his work and leadership in Australia. His impact on college basketball and Stanford University was acknowledged this past year as he was elected into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, forever imprinting his inspiring career in the annals of history.
Despite the passage of time and the distance in miles that separate us, I still delight in the memories of an amazing young player who transformed a high school, energized a community, and elevated others with his humble and unselfish approach to the game.
Over three decades have passed since a coach tried to talk a special player out of working out. Thank God he didn’t listen…
His career at Stanford saw him average 18.8 points per game while becoming the All-Time leading scorer in school history with 2,336 points. I had the pleasure of sitting in Todd’s home with his family the night of the 1989 NBA Draft. I can still recall the spontaneous sound of the tiny room erupting with pride and satisfaction when he was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 15th overall pick.
Todd had a fine rookie season, averaging 8 points per game, and followed that up with an outstanding sophomore season where he continued his development while scoring over 14 points per game competing against the best players in the world. Everything was in place for an amazing NBA career until a foot injury sustained in a car accident contributed to further knee injuries that ultimately limited his effectiveness and ability to perform at an elite level. At the conclusion of his NBA career, Todd’s basketball odyssey took him to Australia where he joined Stanford teammate Andy Vlahov and became a star player for the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League, averaging 16.8 points per game and 5.4 rebounds.
After his playing days, Todd utilized the many lessons he learned through competitive basketball to become a successful entrepreneur and business leader influencing many through his work and leadership in Australia. His impact on college basketball and Stanford University was acknowledged this past year as he was elected into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, forever imprinting his inspiring career in the annals of history.
Despite the passage of time and the distance in miles that separate us, I still delight in the memories of an amazing young player who transformed a high school, energized a community, and elevated others with his humble and unselfish approach to the game.
Over three decades have passed since a coach tried to talk a special player out of working out. Thank God he didn’t listen…
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