Bingham latest good big man for Mesa basketball
By Ernest Hester
There is no shortage of big men walking through the Mesa Community College doors lately. A year after Caymn Boone led MCC to its Region I championship, there is a new big man on campus. His name is Kyle Bingham.
Born in Mesa to Kirk and Muriel Bingham, Kyle has always been a local, homegrown, talent. He fell in love with basketball at an early age mainly due to his older brothers. He quickly knew he would have to scrap and fight for everything in life, especially on the court. Growing up with seven older brothers will toughen you quickly. "They made me tougher, it helped me become more of man," he says.
The blue collar, hard-nosed work ethic that served Bingham well in his youth was evident all four years of his high school basketball career. Bingham attended Mountain View HS in Mesa. While with the Toros he played all four years for legendary coach Gary Ernst. Bingham help lead the Toro's to a 5A state championship in his senior year. He also compiled multiple accolades there. They included all-state honorable mention, central region defensive player of the year, and (most fitting) inspirational player of the year. While maintaining good grades, out of class and far from a basketball court, Bingham volunteered for a two-year LDS mission.
After high school it was time to move on and he quickly enrolled in Mesa Community College and began his next chapter. Bingham is majoring in history at MCC, but has a vast array of things he wants to accomplish academically.
In basketball, he has inserted himself right into the starting lineup and is averaging near double figures in scoring and six rebounds a game, while also adding an occasional block.
"I love this team. Once we execute better, and our chemistry matures, we'll be a force". The Thunderbirds returned only one starter from last year's championship season. Bingham adds "In terms of talent, we can compete with anyone, for us it's about execution." Now into ACCAC play exclusively, the T-Birds are in the hunt for another regional title.
Bingham is 6-9, athletic, has great hands and good footwork making him a matchup problem for opposing players. He can score with either hand, runs the floor and defends.
"I work hard when I'm out there, I just want to give my best," he adds Just in his freshman year, Bingham has a lot more upside to his game that one would love to see develop. Already he has drawn interest from Division l Utah State and St.Mary's.
"I'll think about my future when I'm done here at MCC. Right now we have business to attend to, and that's bringing home another championship".