Those who stopped keeping track of Jarvis Varnado at the end of last season, while they know all about his records, have missed some big things. Varnado entered the NBA draft, though he eventually withdrew his name to return to MSU. He was selected to play on the USA Basketball World University Games Team and competed in Serbia in July. Then, news surfaced that Varnado gave up his scholarship for his senior year so coach Rick Stansbury could use it on an incoming freshman. Not to mention, he’s also been selected as a candidate for the John R. Wooden award for the top basketball player in the country. He’s been busy, but none of this has gone to his head.
“It just made me humble,” Varnado told media on Monday. “Nothing is given to you, and you have to work hard at it to try to achieve your goals.”
Varnado is a two-time SEC defensive player of the year who has 394 blocked shots to his credit, just 18 shy of Shaquille O’Neal’s career SEC record of 412. Given that Varnado blocked 170 shots last year, also a record, he should easily surpass Shaq before SEC play even begins. Varnado needs 142 blocked shots this season to beat the NCAA all-time record of 535, held by Wojciech Mydra of Louisiana-Monroe. With a resume like that, it is not surprising that Varnado decided to test the NBA waters. There was plenty of interest from NBA scouts, but in the end, he decided to stay with the Bulldogs.
“I feel like I wasn’t ready for the NBA,” Varnado said. “Another year in college can only help my game, and I’m really excited about this team. I’m looking forward to coming back and playing with these guys another year. I think we have a chance to make some noise – and not just in the SEC. This was a decision I prayed a lot about, and I feel this is what God wants me to do.”
“We’re obviously very excited Jarvis is coming back,” a smiling Stansbury said. “I know this was a tough decision for him and his family, but at the same time, it’s a well-informed decision, one we all felt was best for Jarvis. This was a process he needed to go through, and I think it will make him a better player. Now, he has a chance to do something that’s really special and achieve a feat no other player in the history of the college game has ever done.”
News came out recently that when Varnado declared for the NBA draft, he gave up his scholarship for his senior season. This selfless act allowed MSU more freedom in the recruiting process as the program had only 13 scholarships to offer and, including Varnado, had 14 people that needed them. It is still possible that Varnado will get his scholarship back, as Mississippi State is waiting on the NCAA to clear freshman Renardo Sidney. If Sidney is determined eligible to play then Winston Varnado, Jarvis’ father, says the family plans to take out a loan to pay for this final year of school.
In June, Varnado was invited to try out for Team USA of the World University Games and was selected for the final 12-man roster coached by Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan. The games were held in Belgrade, Serbia and Team USA got off to a promising start, though they lost in the semi-finals and finished with the Bronze medal.
“I am proud for Jarvis,” Stansbury said. “It’s a great opportunity for him and our university, too. There is no substitute for the experience he’ll gain from these games.”
Varnado believes he learned a great deal in Serbia that he can bring back to the Bulldogs.
“It wasn’t the best of places over there,” Varnado said. “But it made me humble; I learned about hard work. There were a lot of good players over there and my mind set going in was we were going to win gold. You can’t just show up, it takes a lot of hard work.”
Winston Varnado, head basketball coach at West Point High School, said he believes playing for Team USA has been great for his son.
“This experience opened his eyes up,” said Winston. “He was exposed to a different coach, a different style, and those international guys play a real physical game, which was good for him to play in.”
The most recent news in what has been an exciting few months for Varnado is that he has been selected as a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award that goes to the top basketball player in the nation. His nomination is an indication of not only what an outstanding basketball player Varnado is, but the leader he has become on his team.
“He naturally leads by example,” Winston said, “But he’s become more vocal. He pushes his teammates.” It is hard to believe, but Varnado still does not believe he has reached the top of his game.