From small-town life to the Sweet 16

Here's a feature I wrote last week on WSU basketball player Caleb Forrest ...

By Josh Wright
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

PULLMAN - Caleb Forrest was raised on a 35-acre spread in one of the most remote sections of America, a town so secluded that he didn't have a clue summertime AAU basketball existed until late in his high school career.
The scrappy Washington State forward, however, was far from isolated in Pagosa Springs, Colo., at least in a familial sense. Along with his parents and three siblings, Forrest grew up with a flock of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents within walking distance.
"We all live on this property," said Bayard Forrest, Caleb's uncle and a former NBA player, "so we're close."
That tight-knit upbringing made last weekend in Denver all the more memorable. Not only did Caleb help the Cougars march into the Sweet 16 for the first time, he strung together two sturdy performances in his home state with 40 to 50 family members and friends on hand.
After the initial euphoria wore off - and the scores of media requests died down - he labeled beating Notre Dame "definitely the highest point of my athletic career that I've witnessed or been a part of."
Three years ago, merely getting a chance to come to WSU - a Pac-10 program with a losing tradition at that point - was a big enough thrill for the 6-foot-8 post. He thought he was destined for the University of Denver or Wyoming, two schools that offered close-to-home comforts but not the sort of competition he was craving.
Deep into the recruiting process, though, things started clicking for Forrest. He stumbled upon an invitation to play in an AAU tournament in Denver, then was asked to join a Colorado Select summer team. After realizing it would cost $2,500, he eventually joined another offseason squad - one that paid for everything and showcased his fledgling talents.
That led to a recommendation from another coach to Tony Bennett, then the top assistant under his father at WSU.
"... Still sometimes I think about the amount of things that had to go right in order for me to get here," the junior said. "There were so many coincidences ... . And I'm a Christian, so I believe God had a big part in that."
Situated in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Pagosa Springs (population 1,600) is slightly closer to Albuquerque, N.M., than Denver. So it's understandable why recruiters - and even AAU coaches - weren't aware of Forrest at first. Yet some of them had surely heard of Bayard, his uncle who played two seasons (1977-79) with the Phoenix Suns.
Caleb and Bayard share similar skills on the hardwood, though the younger Forrest has far less natural ability. Bayard, who now goes by Bay, was an agile 6-10, 235-pound center who averaged 4.1 points per game before sustaining a career-ending back injury.
He's now a Christian speaker who skips between churches and religious conferences throughout the country.
"I think the one way Caleb has changed his game some in a real positive way is he has become a lot more aggressive and plays a lot tougher probably than what I did," Bay said when reached by cell phone. "He has worked his tail off to get to the point he's at. I was kind of spoiled because I had a 35-inch vertical, you know, and so I could really get up."
While Caleb might not have eye-popping athletic ability, he's earned playing time with a nonstop motor and keen mid-range shooting stroke. This season, he's provided quick buckets and solid rebounding in spurts while scoring 3.5 ppg.
One of his finest moments came Saturday. He buried two key jumpers as WSU surged ahead of the Fighting Irish in the first half. He also hauled in five rebounds before fouling out.
Thursday, he and the fourth-seeded Cougs (26-8) will get another chance to extend their season when they meet No. 1 North Carolina in the East Regional semifinal in Charlotte, N.C. Tipoff is slated for 4:27 p.m. Pacific.
"He doesn't move the smoothest," Bennett said, "but he was aggressive, loosening up (the defense) and knocking down shots at very timely times ... .
"He gives you all effort."
After Saturday's win, the quiet yet affable Forrest was besieged by media in the Cougars' locker room - more, in fact, than he's ever had focus on him. Communicating with so many reporters added to the special day.
But does he want to repeat it?
"I don't usually get that much (attention)," he said, "and I don't ... necessarily want that much."
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Wright may be contacted at jwright@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.