Like so many science projects, this one started in seventh grade. Joey Brunk was the student. Joey Brunk also was the project.
Doctors had told Joey, who already was pushing 6 feet, that he would grow to be at least 6-11 – perhaps as tall as 7-1. Along with height, basketball also was in his genes: His father, Joe, was a two-time NAIA All-American at Hanover in 1981 and ’82. Nearly 25 years later Joe Brunk still ranks fifth all-time at Hanover in scoring, sixth in rebounding.
For Joey Brunk in 2011, major college basketball was at least five years away, possibly forever.