MILWAUKEE- Over the years Milwaukee Rufus King boys basketball coach Jim Gosz has made his name for winning WIAA Division 1 state titles. But anyone that follows King basketball knows that Gosz has made a name for turning athletes into basketball players.

Meet Generals senior Mike Ward.

Ward is not going to blow you away with speed or throw down a one-handed slam dunk but he does all the little things very well.

“Every program in the state could benefit from a player like Mike Ward,” said Gosz.

That’s quite a compliment coming from a coach who has sent more than 20 players to Division I colleges.

Still, Ward is one of the more humble guys you will ever meet.

“He comes to practice and competes hard every day and is very coachable,” said Gosz. “Mike is a three-sport athlete which is rare for kids these days.”

Ward runs for the track team and is the running back for the Generals football team. But it was football that set Ward back when the basketball season started.

“He started the season as our 12th man and a lot of that was because of football but he just needed to get back into the swing of things for basketball,” said Gosz.

Ward got back into things in a hurry and found himself in the Generals starting lineup and as helped guide King to a 10-4 record.

“Every day I work hard in practice and I know my role on this team,” said Ward.

Ward played basketball in middle school and thought he might try out for the team at King.

“I really liked basketball growing up and I tried out and made the team,” said Ward. “I had to work hard all the time because nothing was going to be given to me.”

One of Gosz’s more notable athletes turned into a phenomenal basketball star was Jarred Jenkins. Jenkins, who graduated in 2007, walked on to both the football and basketball teams at Division III powerhouse University of Wisconsin Stevens-Point.

Ward and Jenkins are very similar; both thrived on the little things that coaches, like Gosz, crave.

“Mike is a true blue collar kind of player he brings his lunch pail to work every day,” said Gosz. “He is the guy who goes all out for that 50-50 loose ball.”

Ward knows it is a blessing to have made it this far and hopes to lead King to the WIAA state tournament, which King could not participate in last year.

“Last year taught us a lot about things,” said King guard Marcus Kirk. “Guys like Mike are making this year exciting because we are hungry to get back.”

With Ward’s hustle and Kirks’ smooth ball handling skills to go along with a deep roster, the Generals have their sights on revenge.

“I never thought in a million years I would be where I am right now,” said Ward with a smile. “I know I’m going to make the most of it.”