For Maceo Austin and Ike Herster, basketball is the sport that formed a lifelong friendship. From growing up down the street from each other to playing on the same team, theirs is a bond that has only strengthened over time.
“We would hang out after school. We would do everything together,” Austin said. “The friendship has always been there.”
“We used to hang out every day, play basketball and just be kids. Just have fun,” Herster said.
Both men began their basketball careers at a young age.
Austin, being a year older, started in the fourth grade, and Herster in second grade. But basketball was not the only sport for these two athletes.
Herster was a three-sport athlete, also participating in football and baseball. Maceo was much the same, playing football as well. Despite developing a passion for the game, the two had to hang up their pads early, since Kenney Catholic High School did not have a football program.
“I had to make a choice, and I stuck with basketball,” Herster said.
Some would say they made the best choice
High School
While playing at Kennedy Catholic together, the two racked up numerous accolades. They saw the team to multiple Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Championships. Austin saw the team to four straight championships, while Herster was a part of three.
During Maceo’s four years in high school, he was ranked as the No.43 shooting guard in the nation by 247Sports, No.48 by ESPN, and No. 49 by Rivals. He was a three-time all-state, all-district and all-region honoree and scored 1,971 points.
Herster also had a stellar prep career, being a 1,000-point scorer, earning all-state honors and leading District 10 in scoring with 27.6 points per game in the 2019-20 season.
Winning the state championship happens to be their favorite memory of playing together.
“That was a great memory,” Herster said. “ I’ll never forget that.”
After the four years, it was time for the two to start looking at colleges. They had always talked about playing college but always thought it was a pipe dream.
Austin committed to Duquesne University, and Herster went to Gannon University.
127 miles between them did not weaken the friendship that those two created.
“We usually sent snaps every day or played Call of Duty together,” Herster said. “We would interact every day somehow.”
“Our relationship has always been strong,” Austin said.
Before The Rock
Moving from high school to collegiate basketball is an adjustment, like everything else.
During their transition, both athletes found themselves struggling with the same thing.
“The speed of the game and playing with a shot clock was a huge adjustment,” Austin said.
While Austin was at Duquesne, as a freshman, he started every game he played, only missing one game due to illness. He scored in double digits eight times, his highest being 18.
Austin set a season high in three-pointers, scoring 14 points during a win against Davidson College. He also put up a career high of 10 rebounds in a game against the University of Rhode Island. During his first two years, he tallied a total of 229 points with the Dukes.
He decided to take his junior and senior years off to focus on his education.
Herster, too, had difficulties he had to face.
Despite the pandemic, Herster had a strong first year at Gannon. He played in all 14 games with 13 starts for the Knights. He saw double figures in nine games and led the team in scoring four times.
Much like Austin, Herster’s sophomore year looked a little different. He was limited to 12 games, having 11 starts. Still, he scored double digits in 10 games, four of which he scored 20 or more points. His season high was 23 points in just 24 minutes. But during his second season, he battled a number of injuries.
“I was playing [well] for a minute, and then I had a concussion. Then I came back, then got another concussion, so I got shut down for the season,” Herster said.
Unfortunately, his junior year was not much better injury-wise.
“In the preseason, I tore my labrum in my shoulder,” he said. “I had to get surgery.”
Herster only played three games before undergoing surgery.
While not being in the same city, Austin was still a big part of Herster’s recovery.
“He would always check in on me, ask how I’m feeling,” Herster said. “And he would always ask ‘what’s next, are you doing what you need to to get through it?’”
For his third year of eligibility, Herster decided he needed a fresh start and entered the transfer portal.
Maceo, also having two years of eligibility left, earned his master’s degree and decided to play elsewhere.
That’s when Slippery Rock University came into the picture.
At The Rock
“We always thought it would be cool to play together [in college], but I never thought it would really happen,” Herster said. “And for it to happen, it’s crazy.”
After Herster entered the portal, head coach Ian Grady and assistant coach Jon Valeriano reached out.
“I appreciate them for taking a chance on me, and really no other coach would,” Herster said. “I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Around this time, Coach Grady was also looking into recruiting Austin.
“I found out they were interested in both of us, and it was an easier decision to make once I realized we could play there,” Austin said.
“We were excited when we recruited them, and they decided to come to Slippery Rock University,” Coach Grady said. “They’re the kind of kids you want in your program.”
Now, being back on the same court, the chemistry is still there.
During their first season in green and white, they collectively scored 885 points. Both were named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Athlete of the Week and ranked in the PSAC statistical standings.
Austin tied for third in the PSAC in blocks per game, eighth in offensive rebounding and steals, ninth in overall rebounding, 10th in minutes per game, 13th in scoring and field goal percentage, and 24th in free throw percentage.
Herster ranked sixth in the PSAC in free throw percentage, 11th in three-pointers made per game, 12th in total three-pointers made, 17th in three-point shooting percentage and 19th in scoring.
The two slipped back into a routine similar to what they had in high school.
“We’re in the gym together, we practice together. We know just how to play, our chemistry is just there. It always has been,” Herster said.
In their second year at The Rock, Austin and Herster reached 1,000 points in their collegiate careers. Both produced in the double digits for points multiple times throughout the season, with Herster putting up back-to-back 22-point outings.
“They’re both very talented players. They’re very coachable, and they practice hard,” Grady said.
They have a type of bond that only enhances their play on the court.
“They’re best friends, but they’re more like brothers,” Grady said. “The chemistry transfers onto the court. They have a good feel for each other.”
“Me and him, it’s like that one-two punch. He knows where I’m at, and I know where he’s at,” Herster said.
Not only do they have a positive impact on the team, but they are well-liked in the community. Being involved in their Sharon, Pa. community as well as Slippery Rock only speaks to their characters.
“You want to surround the team and staff with people you enjoy being around. I enjoy being around them every day, and that speaks to who they are,” Grady said.
A relationship far beyond basketball
From growing up together to playing together all those years, it is a bond that can never be broken.
With Austin being a year older, Herster saw him as more of a big brother.
“He always pushed me to do better, and I always appreciated that,” Herster said.
“I love those guys like sons,” Grady said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching them.”
