Rejuvenated Kalan returns to Penguins basketball

Arman Kalan is one of a handful of second-year players on the Clark College men's basketball team. This season he is looked upon to be a strong team leader for the 4-2 Penguins.

This is not, however, Kalan's first stint with the Penguins.

Kalan, a sophomore, attended Clark and played basketball for the Penguins two years ago. He sat out a year and has since returned to a much bigger and younger team than his previous season.

Kalan said he sat out the 2009 year because he wasn't focused on school. Since then, he said has returned with a more determined outlook and an improved set of skills.

"I wasn't very focused on school," He said. "I sat out a year, worked on my game, and got a lot better."

Having played basketball for one year at Fort Vancouver High School, Kalan has since become an experienced leader and team captain for the Penguins.

"(Kalan) is a teammate that brings a lot of experience to our team," Clark guard Daniel Anderson said, "which is very important with us being mostly freshman. He brings the experience of already going to the (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges) tournament and having a year of playing already under him."

The Clark forward was born in Armenia, moved to Los Angeles when he was 3-years-old and came to Vancouver when he was 10.

He said he has always dreamed of becoming a basketball player and plans on continuing his aspiration at another school after Clark. He plans on receiving his bachelor's degree in business.

"I'm just looking to find another school," Kalan said. "Whatever school wants me the most to come play there."

Head coach Mike Arnold said Kalan has been receiving attention by a lot of small colleges, some universities, including some schools in Canada.

He shares his jersey number, 24, with his lifelong inspiration, Kobe Bryant.

Arnold said when Kalan first started playing for the Penguins, he was very shy and afraid of contact.

According to Arnold, Kalan has come along way, "Taking charge on the floor. He's banging, pushing and shoving. … He's a joy to coach."

Kalan's said his greatest achievement was graduating high school and getting the opportunity to play basketball at Clark.

"In high school, I didn't play much," Kalan said. "I only played my senior year and didn't get to play at all."

He led the team to a second-place finish in Clark's Holiday Invitational with the team's only defeat coming against Vancouver Island University, a four-year college with a rich basketball history.

With two years of competitive, organized basketball on his resume, Kalan has been thriving in his role of team captain.

Anderson said Kalan's most important quality is the tenacity he brings on defense, "He always brings toughness on the defensive end."

Arnold appreciates Kalan's hard work and determination he brings to the game.

"He brings a passion everyday," Arnold said. " … I'd love to have him for four years if I could."

Contact Kyle Bliquez at k.bliquez@students.clark.edu.