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Steamboat Springs — It won't just be about getting back on the court to play in college for departing Steamboat Springs High School senior Aaron Calkins.

Calkins, who battled mononucleosis and severe sprains to both his ankles his senior year, said signing his letter of intent to continue playing basketball at Mesa State College in Grand Junction will allow him to finally get back on the court full strength and show the ability that made him the Western Slope Player of the Year and a second-team All-State performer his junior year.

"Last year was pretty tough on me," Calkins said. "I hurt my ankles pretty bad, and the mono from the beginning of the season took all my strength out of me."

Despite the ups and downs, Calkins still finished second on the team in scoring at 16 points per game. He was named to the Western Slope All-League first team two consecutive years.

"He's got some real possibilities there," former Steamboat coach Kelly Meek said. "Going in as a freshman, they don't expect you to play necessarily. They might red-shirt him. He just needs to build himself back up to where he needs to be."

While Calkins said he'd love to play next year, he's certainly not opposed to red-shirting.

Mesa State loses just two players off a team that went 13-14 overall and 10-9 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Mavericks return a team of five seniors and four juniors.

"It might be good to get stronger and grow as a player," said Calkins, who plans to major in sports management. "I'd like to play and get significant time, but I know once I get down to Mesa, I'll get out of it what I put into it."

Calkins said he plans to head to Grand Junction in late August. He wasn't sure what position Mesa State would want him to play, but he said he's willing to play either guard spot or on the wing.

"I can play anywhere they want me to," he said.

Calkins becomes the first Steamboat Springs boys basketball player to head to Mesa State College since Ron Chamberlain and Jon Baskin played for the Mavericks in the late 1980s.

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com