Central Michigan’s all-American candidate Chris Kaman loved playing in NIU’s Convocation Center on Saturday.

This comes as a surprise since he was held to a miniscule half-dozen points and fouled out midway through the second half. His performance was borderline embarrassing, especially since a large portion of his family, who made the trip to DeKalb, also witnessed the less-than-impressive outing.

The constant chants of “Kaman sucks” from the Dog Pound wouldn’t help his opinion of DeKalb’s new $36 million arena either – or so you’d think.

“I like the new gym; I think it was awesome,” Kaman said, in a most sincere fashion.

Where’d he come from?

“Hidden gem” is a term used to describe athletes who have gone from unnoticed to superstar.

A hidden gem is the gangly 7-footer, Kaman.

Coming out of Tri-unity Christian High School in Michigan, Kaman was only fifth in balloting for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award. Now, the not-so-GQ looking big fella is projected by some as an NBA Lottery pick.

He gets up and down the floor pretty well for a man his size, has good hands and isn’t afraid to mix it up – although that’s what got him in foul trouble against NIU, with his elbows flaring every which way after he snatched each of his team-leading seven rebounds in limited time (24 minutes).

About a month ago, barely anyone outside of Mount Pleasant, Mich., had heard of the guy they call “Mikan” after the mid-1900s mechanical-moving star who was the NBA’s first true big man.

After blowing up while leading the Chippewas to first place in the MAC and garnering a career-high 43 points against Ball State on Wednesday, Kaman is the talk of NBA scouts.

He has CMU on a six-game winning streak and people are taking notice.

In his game against NIU, seven NBA scouts made it out to the game – including former Chicago Bulls guard B.J. Armstrong, representing The Jerry’s. For the uninformed, it is not common for NBA scouts, especially seven, to make it out to Huskie games.

The Web site NBADraft.net, which gives a predicted draft order, didn’t have Kaman listed until last week. Now, he ranks in at No. 10.

But you’ve got to think Kaman knew all along he was NBA-bound. Come on, what job in the real world are you going to get with a major like Kaman’s – sports studies?

The catch with him is that he’s only a junior. Kaman is a dominating force. Don’t let his meek performance against NIU fool you.

NIU threw everything but the kitchen sink at Kaman to rattle him and throw him off – which is why power forward Mike Manciel had the easiest 21 points he’s seen all year, and why guard J.R. Wallace had enough time to tie his shoe laces before firing up his seven three pointers for 27 points.

Oh yeah, Kaman was injured against NIU, too. He got shoved in his lower back two days before, and he didn’t even practice the day prior to the NIU game. So he wasn’t 100 percent healthy.

But, if Kaman is a possible lottery pick this year, is he even thinking of returning?

“I’m coming back,” confirmed Kaman after the game. “There are too many distractions with the NBA. So, for now, I’m saying I’m coming back. After the season, I’ll sit down and talk with coach and see where I’m at.”

The 20-year-old also has a good support group in last year’s teammate David Webber and his older brother, Chris, who plays for the Sacramento Kings. Kaman plays with them and other Michigan-bred stars during the summer, and they are helping him through his decision-making process with the NBA.

As dominating as Kaman is this year, think of him a year down the line when some of that baby fat has turned to muscle. The MAC is not a league known for 7-footers – especially not with any of his capabilities.

Scary thought, if he returns. Oh yeah, scary thought on March 5, when the Huskies have to face “Mikan” again.