Walking onto the court, he is a player to be feared. Standing at 6’3” his physique is just as intimidating as his skill to shoot. 27-year-old Dominique McClendon is a force of nature as he plays basketball for the Everett Trojans. However, he is not a powerhouse that was built overnight. McClendon’s skills have grown like any other, a seed planted and grown with hard work.

Like most players, McClendon had humble beginnings when it came to basketball. He began playing just as something fun to do with friends at his local community center in Spokane. From there they began a team with the YMCA, and after that his hobby became his passion. He continued to play basketball through high school, getting so good he didn’t feel the need for advice from his coach.

McClendon entered a dark place once he graduated and got into trouble. After six years it seemed like he was going to remain there. However, as he watched his sister get arrested and his son turn two, he knew it was time to change.
His friend Rashad Jones had been trying to get him to enroll at EvCC to get out of trouble and play basketball; McClendon had continually brushed him off, until then. He intended to just come for the game, but ended up realizing something bigger: basketball wouldn’t last forever. McClendon decided that he wanted to turn his life around, to focus on school so he could be prepared for a working future. But most importantly he said, “I want to be someone [for my son] to look up to.”
His son wasn’t the only one looking up to him, though. Coming to EvCC for the first time he blended with the team right away. Since then he has been known for his loyalty and leadership toward his teammates, whether they are returning or brand new.

“Dom did a great job of taking some of the young guys under his wing and really help teach them how to become good college players,” Coach Mike Trautman said.
This isn’t a character trait that just happens, McClendon actually works to be a team player. When McClendon was asked if he wanted to increase his scoring stats, he simply stated “I just want to contribute to wins.”
Mclendon’s contribution averages at 18.4 points per game, a feat that comes only through a lot of hard work. While he practices with the team every day, he also stays afterward in order to work on his quickness and dribbling.

“You can almost always find Dom in the gym shooting extra shots and in the weight room working to get stronger after practice and during the off-season,” said Coach Walker.

Many players believe winning is the only goal of basketball, so those who appreciate the process to get there are a valuable find for a team. But what is the one way to succeed on and off the court for McClendon? “Don’t take things for granted.”