North Lake Campus student and Blazer basketball guard David Clower is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Div. III national championship team.

He came to North Lake from the South Texas community of Mercedes where he was part of the Mercedes High School’s first All-District 32-5A team.

“My thought process on choosing Dallas North Lake was that this program with Coach Mills was a great fit for me and it was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Clower said.

It’s been an adjustment for Clower who is living and attending school away from his hometown.

“I have faced many challenges that have benefited me in my journey with this sport. One challenge is the distance between my family and me. Making them proud makes up for it though,” he said.

Clower has a record of scoring over 1,000 career points playing for Mercedes High School.

He has learned to adjust to new coaches and teammates.

“Another challenge that took a toll on my confidence was not getting a lot of playing minutes last year. That has helped me to be the player I am today,” Clower said.

Clower said that God and his family keep him motivated during such challenges. He has also learned strategies for dealing with challenges from his teammates.

Clower mentally and physically prepared for the national finals by focusing on the game, cutting out distractions, taking proper care of his body’s health and hydration and resting as and when necessary.

“Winning the national championship and ring was an unreal feeling, and I felt so blessed to be in that position with this team,” Clower said.

He said the team’s goal for this season is to beat the other Division III schools, win the conference, and run it back and win just like last year. It’s a winning formula he hopes to repeat.

“I have learned from last season that nothing is given. Everything is earned. To win, you have to play together as a team, trust what the coach is doing, and glorify God in everything you do.”