After being benched for the entire basketball season during his junior year, senior John Lazar is now one of the biggest threats to every team’s defense. Nicknamed “Lazer Beam,” Lazar is a star both on and off the court and is the main reason for the Wolves’ incredibly powerful offense this year.

Standing at 5’6″ during his freshman year, Lazar remembers his very first tryouts and the dread that washed over him after he received a jersey that indicated his placement on the Freshman B team.

“I could not believe what just happened. It was one of the toughest times in my life because I knew I was better and [the tryouts] did not represent my skill. But once I started playing with my teammates, I started to think, ‘maybe this isn’t so bad,’” Lazar said. “So I kept my head up and as my team began to come together, I felt a newfound sense of pride even though I was not on the A team.”

Rather than stressing about his place on the team, Lazar took his new position with drive and determination, pushing the team to be its very best and becoming the leader that freshman basketball coach Larry English knew he could be.

“From freshman year, he was a fiery young man, and he still is. Riding the bench was tough for him but instead of giving up, he fought through to play on the team. This shows a lot about his character. Younger levels might look at him and see a “B” player, but it does not matter if you are on the A or B team because regardless, they can still eventually play as juniors or seniors at the varsity level,” English said. “You see a lot of his personality on the court because that is where he is free to express himself as an athlete, but his personality is similar off the court. Lazar may be the smallest kid out there, but he won’t let you overpower or dictate the game because he is a hard worker. He is a shining example of the boys basketball program.”

During Lazar’s first basketball season, his Freshman B team held one of the best records in the CSL conference and it became increasingly clear that his hard work had paid off. Lazar would go on to leave everything he had on the court during his freshman games, but he owes it all to his coach.

“Coach English made the game competitive, but fun at the same time. He didn’t only push me to be my best, but the whole team as a unit. I think that’s why our team had finished so well in the end of the season,” Lazar said. “I still use [the lessons] that he taught me since freshman year, and I owe him a lot.”

Now, Lazar has become a vital part of the varsity basketball team. He averages 10.3 PPG, and is one of the leading scorers on the team. With each game, he surprises the crowd more and more, and nothing but greatness is expected from him. Senior Mirsad Mackic, the captain of the varsity basketball team, credits many of the team’s wins to Lazar’s three-point shots which open up the floor for the rest to the team to do their jobs.

“John went from playing very little in the beginning of the season to working his way up to being one of the key factors. John is one of the best three-point shooters in the state. He’s a threat [to other teams] because of his ability to shoot three-pointers, which helps to expand the floor and sets up his teammates for easy shots,” Mackic said. “Personally, it’s been a pleasure to play with John. He is one of my best friends and it is always reassuring to know that he has my back. He is like my brother and I’m always hoping for the best for him both on and off the court.”

Be sure to support the boys over winter break as they prepare for their basketball tournament at Pontiac, and keep your eyes open for John “Lazer Beam” Lazar as he continues to dominate the court.