Looking across the gym at Binghamton University men’s basketball coach Kevin Broadus, I could imagine what he was probably thinking.

‘Just wait until I’m through with him.’

That’s because between Broadus and I, on the Broome Community College basketball court, his future point guard had just fouled out with 3:30 remaining in a close game.

On Dec. 15, Emanuel ‘Tiki’ Mayben, a highly touted Binghamton recruit, visited BCC with Hudson Valley Community College, his current team. Hudson Valley, which is currently ranked No. 1 nationally among Division III junior colleges, went on to finish BCC off for a 97-87 victory.

Before fouling out, Mayben had 22 points, eight assists and four rebounds. He is a spectacular passer, but that means he sometimes turns the ball over spectacularly. He picks up a lot of assists even though he plays without a true big man or slasher. With Mayben passing to athletic bigs like Lazar Trifunovic and Reggie Fuller next year, expect to see some great alley-oops. Against BCC, he got to the rim at will, using a great crossover move and surprising quickness to finish easy layups.

But despite picking up five fouls, his defensive effort was sorely lacking. In one stretch at the end of the game, he guarded an opponent while holding his hands behind his back. Mayben also struggled at the foul line, going just 4-for-11 (strangely, he shoots free throws standing between the foul line and three-point arc). Next year, coach Broadus has his work cut out for him, getting Mayben to work on his shooting and defense.

Not coincidentally, when I asked Mayben what parts of his game he works on the most, he said: shooting and defense.

Tiki is self-aware for a person who has faced so much media scrutiny over the years.

For example, in an article on UMass’ athletics Web site from 2006, Mayben said, ‘(Making the NBA) is my main goal. I plan on getting my diploma, but I’m not going to lie ‘ getting my diploma is second.’

Mayben and his Hudson Valley coach insist that quote was taken out of context. So, I asked Mayben what his priorities are now.

‘My son. School,’ he said. ‘Basketball is just day-to-day.’

So forgive the guy if he is no longer on the fast track to basketball stardom. It sounds to me like he has his priorities in order. The NBA dream is gone, but Mayben has more modest aspirations now. He wants to be a Binghamton graduate and a good father.

‘I lived life day-to-day before my son. It’s good to be a father. That’s something I never had,’ Mayben said. ‘Coach Broadus wanted me to come (to Binghamton) this year but I needed to be close to my son.’

He’s also aware of the risk that his future coach took by recruiting him.

‘I want to make sure that (Broadus) doesn’t look bad,’ Mayben said. ‘He told me to be a warrior and not to quit when things don’t go my way.’