When the University of Saskatchewan Huskies trumped Carleton in the close 86-82 Canadian Interuniversity Sport semifinal victory March 20, they not only ended the Ravens’ season but also the Carleton basketball career of team captain, Kevin McCleery.

“He stepped into the role of leader and he was our best player on the floor,” said the other team captain and long-time teammate, Mike Kenny. “We’re gonna miss him a lot.”

McCleery, who is graduating this year after five seasons as a Ravens, helped lead the Ravens to another very successful season with 24 wins and only three losses.

“He’s a great guy on and off the court,” said second-year teammate Kyle Smendziuk. “And he had a great season.”

McCleery led the team in both points and rebounds this season, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. At 6’8” he was a huge force under the basket.

McCleery started basketball at age six, but stopped for a couple of years to play hockey. He didn’t return to the sport until high school, when he started playing on a summer team for Carleton head coach Dave Smart.

“When he asked me to be a part of that I thought maybe I could play in university,” he said.

McCleery said even in university, basketball wasn’t something he took seriously until his last three years, and now he regrets it.

“You get out what you put in and I didn’t put as much effort into it in the first two years,” he said.

However, he stepped into the leadership role for Carleton this year and was named to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) first all-star team, as well as being named to the second All-Canadian team at the CIS awards. He was also named a tournament all-star at the CIS championships.

“I was a part of three national championship teams,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”

After graduation, McCleery said he will look to play basketball over in Europe.

“I’m not totally sure where yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing in September,” he said.

McCleery continued to say that what he’ll take away most from Carleton is the lessons he learned from basketball and what it’s like to be a part of a team atmosphere.

“I don’t know if I’ll always play basketball,” he said. “I’m more passionate about people and being a part of a team. I don’t think I would be who I am today without being a part of sports.”

So now, after wearing number 45 as a Raven for the last time, McCleery said he’ll never really leave Carleton basketball.

“I’m gonna miss it tons,” he said. “But I’ll always be a part of it. That’s one of the things I like about Carleton. Guys who graduate stay involved, they still care and I’m going to do the exact same thing.”