THE LATEST LINE: AVGERINOS COULD BE A FAN FAVORITE

Kostas Avgerinos would be the tallest basketball player in SEMO history.

I haven't seen Avgerinos play, but after talking to him Tuesday during his first visit to Cape Girardeau -- and the United States -- I'm certain that Indian fans would love seeing the big foreigner in a SEMO uniform.

The 7-foot-2 Avgerinos was in town on his `official' visit to the campus. He had never visited the school -- or this country, for that matter -- prior to signing with SEMO during the spring.

The native of Athens, Greece, reportedly plays a pretty mean game of basketball, although at only 18 years old -- and being very thin -- there's no doubt he still has a long way to go.

But after speaking with Kostas for just a few minutes, I could tell right away that it wouldn't take him long to become a fan favorite at the Show Me Center.

Avgerinos, who spoke surprisingly good English, is witty and personable. After some informal chatter and then a short interview, it felt like I had known him for quite a while.

Of course, there is no guarantee Avgerinos will ever suit up for the Indians. He's not likely to meet NCAA eligibility requirements for next season. He could still attend SEMO as a freshman -- which would be the best-case scenario for the Indians because it would virtually assure Avgerinos of wearing a SEMO uniform some day -- but he would have to pay his own way.

Other options are attending a junior college or prep school, but if he does that -- and he turns out to be as talented as SEMO's coaches believe he is -- then the major schools will be all over him and he might end up playing his college basketball some place else.

If you're a SEMO fan, you're hoping Kostas skips the juco or prep school route and comes directly to Cape.

Having a 7-2 center patrolling the paint at the Show Me Center -- and wreaking havoc on the OVC -- is definitely a pleasant thought.

* Here's hoping things went well -- and I'm sure they did -- for Cape Girardeau's Dustin McKinnis during Saturday's Christian Family Day at Busch Stadium.

Dustin, 15, threw out the first pitch prior to the Cardinals-Mets game and he spoke to the crowd during ceremonies following the contest.

It would be very hard to find a nicer young man than Dustin. Because of a birth defect that prevents him from breathing through his nose or mouth, Dustin has had more than 100 surgeries, with another scheduled for this week.

But rather than pity himself for the hardships he's had to endure, Dustin attacks life with the type of gusto that we should all have. His outlook is simply incredible.

Talking with Dustin for just a while -- and seeing his frequent smiles and laughs -- definitely puts things in perspective for me.

We could all learn a lot from a young man like that.

* The Dutch Enterprise Dogs 13-under girls basketball team has qualified for the Basketball Congress International national tournament July 2-7 in Dallas.

But making the trip will be expensive. Any area businesses or individuals wishing to help out should call Rick Wieser at 335-1335.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian