For Otis Livingston II, more than a year later, the snub still stings.
It was February of Livingston’s senior year at Linden (N.J.) High School, and the point guard did not have a scholarship offer—odd for a player who would be an all-state selection.
So this year, when Livingston, George Mason University’s freshman point guard, was named to the Atlantic 10’s All-Rookie team and voted Rookie of the Year in Virginia by the state’s sports information directors, there was a good deal of satisfaction.
“I play my hardest for George Mason because they gave me an opportunity,” Livingston said. “I want to give my heart and everything to this program because they gave me a chance.”
It’s difficult to say why Livingston was overlooked in the recruiting process. Perhaps it was his size (he’s listed at 5-feet-11) or that his shooting could be inconsistent. Assistant coach Dane Fischer eventually spotted him for Mason. Whatever it was, Livingston didn’t sign with Mason until May, a month after the signing period began, choosing the Patriots over Robert Morris, Niagara, Farleigh Dickinson and Delaware State.
Livingston started all 32 games for the Patriots and led the team in points per game (11.9), three-point shooting (46-for-130, 35.4 percent), assists (114), steals (23) and minutes (1,097).
“He has a real level of toughness,” Mason coach Dave Paulsen said. “He’s got a grit about him that is very good. He’s very fast and his assist-to-turnover ratio (114-69) was terrific given how much we heaped on his shoulders.”
But Paulsen said Livingston’s most important attribute might be his infectious personality.
“He has a passion for the game,” Paulsen said. “He’s also a kid who came in with a chip on his shoulder because he was under-recruited in high school.”
“I just want to prove to everybody I belong here,” Livingston said, “that the coaches [who didn’t recruit him] did miss out. I play with an edge because of that.”