Former Wildkats show respect, love, humility as they play overseas
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As a long-time Kokomo Wildkat basketball fan, I often find myself reminiscing about the glory days when my dad would take me to Memorial Gym on Friday nights. Those evenings were electric, the stands packed, the band playing, and the court alive with legends like newly inducted Howard County Sports Hall of Famer Herman Fowler, Joe Thatcher, Michael Gaines, Jim Lindsay, Brian McCauley, Donnie Bowling, Jeff Bender, and Dennis Balentine.
The list of names could go on, but what stands out most to me isn’t just the talent, it’s the humility that the game of basketball teaches.
Basketball, at its core, is a great equalizer. You can talk all the trash you want, but sooner or later, someone is going to humble you. That’s part of its beauty. It forces players to live in a constant state of humility and growth.
One of my childhood heroes, Allen Iverson, understood this deeply. He showed love and respect to those who came before him, his peers, and the younger generation who followed. Iverson knew who he was as a player, but he never forgot to give flowers to those who helped shape the game he loved.
That same spirit of respect, love, and humility can be found right here in two former Kokomo Wildkat standouts who are now living their dream as professional basketball players overseas: Alan Michael Arnett and Tayler Persons. As someone who has followed Kokomo basketball for decades, I can say without hesitation that both of these young men are among the finest players ever to wear the Wildkat uniform. But even more impressive is how they’ve carried themselves — not only as athletes, but as men of character and class.
On Wed., Oct. 29, Arnett and Persons shared a rare and historic moment, facing off against each other in a FIBA Europe Cup game. Persons, playing for KK Bosna BH Telecom, and Arnett, representing Rilski Sportist, battled it out in a competitive contest that Bosna ultimately won by nine points. Yet, the score seemed secondary to the moment. It was a proud day for Kokomo, as two hometown heroes squared off on an international stage.
Persons reflected, “Playing in a game against Alan was so special to me. I grew up watching him play for the Wildkats. As I got older, he became a mentor, someone who was always willing to talk to me. Playing a professional game against someone from our small city is one of the highlights of my career.”
Arnett added, “It was a very special moment. To share the court with Tayler was a blessing and a memory we’ll always carry. We even had dinner after the game to catch up.”
Two young men, one small city, and one shared love for the game, continuing Kokomo’s proud basketball tradition on a global stage.