Cork Basketball: Lennie McMillan was one of the greatest Americans to play in the Super League

THERE have been many great American players gracing these shores since the golden era of the 1980s but consistently in the mix as one of the best and most charismatic was the legendary Lennie McMillan.

McMillan (64) now resides in Dublin but it all began for him back in 1981 when he arrived on Leeside to play with Blue Demons.

To say that Lennie was a character would be an understatement as he recalled how a 20-year-old felt when he landed in Shannon all of 44 years ago.

“I was recommended to Blue Demons by Wayne Williams who was one of the first Americans to play with the club and he knew what I was all about having played with me in Pittsburgh University,” he said.

There is a funny story about Lennie’s mix-up in geography as he recalled his landing in Shannon.

“When I arrived in Ireland for some strange reason I thought it was Iceland and believe the lads in Demons had many bouts of laughter when it was brought up in discussion from time to time,” he added.

After two years with Demons, a shock came his way when the club hired an American coach called Roger Dutremble who decided to axe Lennie.

I loved the club and the players and was shocked when Dumtremble told me I was too small and he replaced me with Larry Williams.” 

Demons' rivals Neptune seized on the opportunity and hired Lennie to play with their other American Mike Pyatt and in the words of McMillan his goal was to prove Dumtremble wrong.

“I will never forget we played Demons in a Cork league game the following week and I managed to score 46 points in helping Neptune win.

“In another way, I was sad for the lads but I don’t think anybody could question my ability as a professional at that time and it was basically payback time for the man who doubted me.” 

He also played with the North Mon at the top tier and in Division 1 with St Vincent’s.

Luckily for Lennie he met his beautiful wife Tina in Cork and they were blessed with three daughters and two sons.

Moving to the capital in the late '80s to play with St Declan’s was the foot into his new home as Dublin had a newly adopted son.

“I played with many clubs as you can imagine I retired when I was 49 so you could say I had good innings.” 

CUP UPSET

One momentous year was in 1995. 

Residing in Dublin he helped the North Mon win the National Cup as a Division 1 side at a time when it was open to clubs from both tiers. He scored 21 points in their win over Garvey's Tralee, where Ger Heaphy (with 14 points and MVP) and John McHale (12) also excelled.

“That was a great feat by the guys as they were a division below the top tier and with John Cooney my old playing partner in Demons coaching it was great to help bring joy to so many guys at the club.” 

During his 38 years residing in Dublin, Lennie has played with the majority of teams in Dublin as well in Longford, Galway, Sligo and a team in the north that he has forgotten the name of. The last club for Lennie was Longford Falcons but now his focus is coaching at club and schools level.

“I coach kids at Ongar Chasers basketball club in Dublin and I also do some school basketball programmes but it keeps the mind going as my love for the game will always be there.” 

So what is a normal day right now for McMillan?

“I have got three grandchildren the last named Ellis only arrived in this world a few weeks ago but they are all special as are my own children.” 

Nowadays Lennie does not see any Super League games so it would be unfair to pass judgement on the present standard of professionals.

“I don’t have time to go and see games but there is only one guarantee the present Americans would have to be really good to match the guys back in the '80s because believe me, they were in a league of their own.”