Norway definitely doesn’t have a good reputation as far as producing basketball talents. Beside winter sports other popular choice in the land of the fjords is soccer. It was no different in Lars Espe case.
“Both of my parents played football, so that’s what I started out as well – he reminisces. Honestly I played both sports parallel until 8th grade when I decided to fully focus on my hoop dreams.”
First introduction to the game he fell in love with happened in another basketball backwater – Scotland, where he lived for a year during 2nd grade.
“Family friend who played the game visited us and introduced me to it. I really loved it straight away. We would spend hours playing on a clothesline because there were no rims nearby. When we moved back home to Norway I got my own basket outside my house and kept on spending hours there”.
At that time Lars also joined the club Gimle where he has been playing ever since. Although being just in his late teens he has achieved a lot with the organization on a senior level. Last two seasons he made 31 of 43 starts, was named the best young player of Top Norwegian League and averaged more than 15 points & 5 assists per game. However biggest asset he gained during that period and what matters the most for Grizzlies program is Espe’s maturity.
“I hope that my experience as a main guard with a lot of responsibilty will help me make an early impact at University of Montana. This last season I have made big steps mentally both on and off the court. I definitely think it will help me in my NCAA career”.
What else talented guard can bring to the table beside that in his eyes?
“I have a good vision to find my teammates, and I feel that I make the players around me better by driving and creating open looks for them. I also have moves of my own so i can finish around the basket as well if that is what’s needed.”
Lars is not going to be the sole Norwegian in Big Sky Conference as he will have a chance to compete against his countryman Harald Frey who suits up for Montana State Bobcats. Both guards managed to create strong bond over the years.
“I definitely talked to Harald Frey before making my choice, he is a great guy and I know I can trust him. But at the end of the day it is my decision to make, and most of the consulting was between me and my mother who attended the visits with me” – claimed Espe.
However on the court there is no time for friendships: “I really look forward to playing against him. That’s something I have been doing for a couple of seasons now, either on a junior level and in the BLNO league.”
Lars was also considering visiting University of Wisconsin Milwaukee but after he stepped on UMT campus was confident that this is right place for him. When asked about long term goals he answers:
“First and foremost I wanna play well here and then follow it up with a pro career at a high level”
