Mononucleosis has slowed the progress of the men’s baketball team’s prized recruit, Mike Lipnisky.

Lipnisky’s college career has started on a sour note because of mononucleosis he contracted in the summer. He’s been limited to only one-hour practice days until his condition improves.

Lipnisky’s high school honors include being last year’s runner-up in the Illinois “Mr. Basketball” voting and leading his Rolling Meadows squad to a top-four finish in the state playoffs last year.

He averaged over 30 points per game, made a state record 71 free-throws in a row, and was selected first team All-State.

“My senior year in high school came easy to me,” Lipnisky said. “I just concentrated on playing the game, and we were winning as a team.”

Despite all of his high school accomplishments, Lipnisky may have been overlooked by the major basketball universities. But Lipnisky didn’t give them much of a chance to take a look at him. Lipnisky signed with NIU in the early November signing period last year.

After the show Lipnisky put on in a state playoff semifinal loss against Gordon Tech when he scored 43 points, many college scouts saw first-hand the talent Lipnisky brings to NIU.

“I liked (NIU) and all the coaches,” Lipnisky said. “Coach Molinari is a great motivator. He treats everyone the same and he pushes us hard.”

On this year’s senior-dominated NIU squad, Lipnisky and the other freshmen will be designated to support roles. Lipnisky said he understands his place on the Huskies.

“The seniors on this team are the leaders. I look up to them. I’m just going to try to be a role player,” he said.

“Right now, I want to get my health back. That’s the important thing right now. After that I’m just going to take one step at a time,” Lipnisky said.

Huskies head coach Jim Molinari said Lipnisky’s love of basketball is what made Lipnisky the player he is now.

“I think his love of the game is what made him successful. That’s what showed when I was recruiting him,” Molinari said.

“I think Mike can tell you that everyone has to earn playing time,” Molinari said. “Right now, Mike needs to get his health back and show what type of a player he is and can be. It’s just going to take some time. But I think all our fans will enjoy watching Mike play. He is an exciting and colorful player,” Molinari said.

Lipnisky said the biggest difference between high school basketball and college is physical strength. “That’s the biggest difference. Of course I’m playing sick now, but everyone is much stronger,” Lipnisky said.