Column: As commander of Chiefs, Oswego’s Joey Niesman grows into lead role. At first by sitting. ‘It motivated me.’

It started as a career interrupted before it even began, but sophomore guard Joey Niesman has seen things through for Waubonsee Community College.

Because he did, his legacy almost certainly will end as a dream fulfilled.

For the second year in a row, the 6-foot-2 Niesman is the leading scorer for the Chiefs. He’s drawing plenty of recruiting interest from NCAA Division II and NAIA programs.

“He’s even had some D-I sniffs, coaches asking about him,” Waubonsee coach Lance Robinson said.

With time winding down in his junior college career, the Oswego product should soon be moving on, completing his eligibility at a four-year school and playing on scholarship.

“Looking back, I would say it was definitely a blessing in disguise,” Niesman said of what he called a “crazy” first season that gave him an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic and more time develop in a number of ways.

“He’s improved a lot,” Robinson said. “Not just basketball skills but his mentality and maturity. He’s been the catalyst of our program these past two years.”

The pandemic led to a shortened 2020-21 season of six scrimmage games that didn’t start until April 2021 and had no fans in the stands.

“Joey, in high school was a high energy, defensive-minded guy,” Robinson said. “He likes to play with a crowd, and during those first scrimmage games that first year, he was struggling. His best game was when he came off the bench.”

Nieman doesn’t like to sit, however, and not starting all six games got his attention.

“I knew he was mad at me,” Robinson said. “I told him, ‘You have to start scoring the ball.’ He’s definitely competitive, but he had to get better offensively.”

Rather than stay mad, Niesman kept working. And he did get better.

“Those scrimmage games were not even close to the real thing,” Niesman said. “And going into last year, my first real season, coach told me before it started I was going to have to fight to be in the starting lineup.

“Oh yeah, it definitely motivated me.”

The Chiefs went 20-8 and finished second in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

And Niesman?

The high-energy player who loves to attack the basket ended up leading the team in scoring with a 17.2 average. He also led the Chiefs with 53 steals, averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists and earned first team all-conference and all-region honors.

WCC advanced to the final of the Region IV playoffs and gave undefeated national champion South Suburban, featuring West Aurora graduate Camron Donatlan, its toughest game in a 74-73 setback.

“I would say from day one here to now, I’ve developed a way better change of speed and I’m more cool under pressure,” Niesman said. “I control my attitude a hundred times better, too. When the going gets tough in a game I’m able to step back and control my emotions.

“This year, I’m more locked in on the game plan and scouting report and being more of a team leader, trying to keep everyone locked in.”

Niesman had the first triple-double of his career with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists Tuesday in a 74-70 loss to Moraine Valley, one of two teams ahead of the Chiefs in the league standings.

It’s been an up-and-down season for WCC (17-7, 5-4), which reached No. 12 in the national rankings but tumbled after losing three straight to open conference play. Tuesday’s loss snapped a six-game winning streak.

The Chiefs will have to pull off an upset to reach their goal of advancing to nationals, but Niesman is averaging 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.6 steals.

Backcourt mate Jaylyn Kelley averages 15 points and 6-10 center Brice Langford follows at 13.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. Yorkville Christian’s Colton Schutt averages 8.0 points.

Robinson believes all four will be playing next season at four-year schools. And he thinks the Chiefs are peaking at the right time.

“We’re ready to play our best basketball,” Robinson said. “Hopefully, we can get a home game in the playoff opener and get back to the tournament.”