Michael Cano Is Music To Sooners' Ears

By Dan Shell and Mike Houck

Nov. 15, 2000

He is not the most recognizable player on the Oklahoma basketball team. And he doesn't play for the glory, the court time he might see if the Sooners get a big lead or an occasional trip to Hawaii. Junior walk-on Michael Cano is the consummate teammate, and he plays to make the Sooner basketball program better. His contributions come in many forms, and because of his importance, Cano's teammates have labeled him the best walk-on in the country.

"He's the best in the nation, no doubt," said team co-captain Nolan Johnson. "First of all, he is a really good player who helps us when he is out there. He is always enthusiastic and he plays hard every second. He makes us all better."

Cano brings a well-rounded personality and character to the Sooner team. Before practice began this fall, the Sooners played pick-up games every afternoon at Lloyd Noble Center. When Cano was the odd man out, he found a way to support his teammates other than by offering words of inspiration from the sideline. There was Cano, playing tunes on the piano in the corner, anything from Mozart to Billy Joel.

"There was this piano that was kept on the floor for concerts or something," said senior co-captain Tim Heskett, Cano's roommate the past two years, "and he'd go over and play it. We might be the only team in the country that plays basketball to Beethoven. We had to tell him to get things a little more upbeat."

Cano began taking piano lessons in third grade and continued until the fifth grade before quitting. It wasn't until his sophomore year at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas, that he became interested again in the ivory. And it took a song by one of the world's most talented musicians to rekindle the desire.

"I heard the theme song to The Lion King," admitted Cano, "and it just kind of hit me. When I saw the movie I was like, `I've got to learn that song.'"

Since picking up where he left off five years earlier, his interest in music has never waned. His piano-playing ability has progressed to the point where he can play a song after hearing it for the first time.

Also skilled with the guitar, Cano says his father, Julian, taught him a couple of chords when he was a high school junior. Cano says the song "Say Goodbye" by Dave Matthews Band inspired him to learn the new instrument.

"That was the song that got me going on the guitar. Now I love to play all kinds of Dave Matthews songs. They're the most fun to play."

On the court, Cano's contributions are invaluable. He harasses the Sooners' starting guards with his relentless defense and often runs the second team's offense as its point guard. "Michael is not a walk-on anymore," said Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. "He has earned his place in this program and is a key component of our success."

Part of the reason Cano is so important to the Sooner team is his unselfish attitude and his clear understanding of his role and the team concept. Cano's job is to make the team better with his hard play in practice, and he has embraced that task.

"I really have never played basketball for myself," said Cano, who saw action in 13 games last season (all OU victories) and eight as a freshman. "I love my teammates and I have a great time being part of this team and this program."

Though he has become a main ingredient in the Sooners' recipe for success, there was a time that Cano never would have guessed he'd play for OU.

"My original intentions as a college student did not include trying out for the team," said Cano, now a finance major. "I came to OU as an engineering student on academic scholarship, and I had only picked up a basketball a couple times since my final high school game. Classes started my freshman year and I was just miserable for about three weeks. I didn't feel like I was involved with anything, I felt like a bum and like I was just a college statistic. It wasn't until two days before tryouts that I decided to give basketball at OU a shot."

Cano survived a few workouts and played pick-up games with the team's scholarship members. He also endured five grueling weeks of early-morning preseason conditioning. Despite his dedication and effort, there was no guarantee he'd make the team. Finally, assistant coach Bennie Seltzer delivered the exciting news.

"I got a call on my answering machine one day at 7 a.m.," recalled Cano. "It was Coach Seltzer and he told me to come to the basketball office to be fitted for a tuxedo for the team's poster photo. That's when I knew I'd made it. Right away I called a bunch of family and friends and played the message for them."

It is probably no coincidence that, since the early morning phone call, the Sooners have enjoyed tremendous success. In 1998-99, OU finished 22-11 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Last year, the squad finished with 27 wins, the fifth most in school history, and ended the regular season ranked 12th nationally. Of course, Cano likes to think that he has contributed to the prosperity. His teammates and coaches will not disagree.

Cano, who says his most memorable sports moment occurs each time he slips on his OU game jersey, feels the highlight of his college learning experience occurs every day from about 3:30 to 6 p.m.

"Each day I have an opportunity to learn about hard work, discipline and what it takes to have success in a team atmosphere," said Cano. "Those are things you can't learn in a classroom, and I will have long-lasting relationships with great people I never would have met if it wasn't for basketball."

It's no secret that Cano's spirit and enthusiasm are music to his teammates' and coaches' ears.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Michael Cano Is Music To Sooners' Ears

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