Mike Oliver Jr. steps into spotlight for Curie: 'I've been a Curie Condor since I came out of the womb'

Mike Oliver has 542 wins, three city championships and a state title in his more than 20 years as Curie basketball coach. But the next two seasons will be special. His son, Mike Oliver Jr., is now a starter for the Condors.

Oliver Jr. came off the bench for last season’s city champions. He was a three-point-shooting threat. This season, the junior is showcasing his all-around game.

“People always say I’m only on the team because my dad’s the coach,” Oliver Jr. said. “I’m trying to show that’s not the reason. I’m better than guys who have higher rankings.”

Chicago’s basketball community has watched Oliver Jr. grow up. He has been around the team his whole life.

“I always joked about going to another school, but I’ve been a Curie Condor since I came out of the womb,” Oliver Jr. said. “The first time I put on this jersey, to be on the team was special. I watched guys before me lead, and it is my turn to step up and be a leader for the team and show the younger guys how to go.”

Oliver Jr. scored 13 points Tuesday to help lead No. 21 Curie to a 68-40 win against visiting Farragut.

“[Oliver Jr.] waited his turn,” Oliver said. “He’s finally a starter. He knows his job is to spread the floor and make shots. He’s been around basketball for a long time. He knows how to play the right way.”

Curie (2-0) jumped out to a 26-6 lead, and the 30-point running clock started in the fourth quarter. Farragut (2-2) had just eight players.

Admirals coach Emmanuel Little said he was without two players, including one starter, because of the flu.

All of Curie’s starters from last year’s city championship team graduated. Oliver Jr. and Brad Johnson (13 points) had significant roles off the bench last season. Senior Jahkil Jackson practiced with the team last year but was ineligible to play after transferring from De La Salle.

The Condors’ sophomore team also won the city title last season.

“Both groups are coming off championships, so they know how to win,” Oliver said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I like the way the guys share the ball and they are playing hard on defense. We aren’t as big as we used to be, but we have a bunch of athletes. They can all get it off the board and go.”

Junior guard Latrell Kelley led Farragut with 19 points. He started high school at Farragut and transferred to Curie briefly last season before winding up at Chicago Prep.

“He had something to prove today,” Little said. “We just gave up too much in transition. We will keep building.”