Twenty years later, Nick Van Exel returned to his old stomping grounds.

After taking part in the inaugural Brandon Morris All-Star Charity Basketball Game on Saturday night at St. Joseph, the school’s most high profile alum graciously took time to sign autographs and pose for photos before retreating to the bleachers for a quick interview.

Nick, when is the last time you’ve been in this gym?

“First time,” he replied.

Since high school?

“Probably,” he said. “I don’t remember. It’s been a long time.”

Digging into the archives, it is believed to be the first time Van Exel ran up and down the court at St. Joseph since Feb. 14, 1989, when the Lancers throttled Racine Lutheran 78-46 in a non-conference home finale. Van Exel scored a game-high 29 points in that game — just under his season average of 29.5.

The Lancers went on to lose to Marquette in the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association Class A State title. It was St. Joseph’s second runner-up finish in as many years.

Van Exel then went on to play at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, and helped the University of Cincinnati reach the Final Four before embarking on a memorable 13-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. He retired after the 2005-06 season.

After all that time, he didn’t forget how to fill it up at St. Joseph.

In a game between the Kenosha All-Stars and the Racine All-Stars on Saturday, Van Exel, who originally wasn’t going to play in the game, buried his first shot — a 3-pointer from the left wing — less than one minute into the contest. He then made three more deep 3-pointers in the first 7 minutes, 12 seconds.

If you squinted your eyes, it was late 1980s all over again.

Van Exel, who currently resides in Houston, said that he has favorable memories of St. Joseph’s old Madrigrano Gymnasium.

“Sitting up in the stands and just watching Al Steel and Sean Mahone,” he said. “I always wanted to follow in those guys’ footsteps. That’s probably what I remember the most.”

As for memories of his own playing days?

“Oh, there are a few,” he said. “I had some pretty good games in here. We had a good two-year run going to State championships.”

Morris, who has known Van Exel “since I was about 4 or 5,” enjoys playing on the same team with the former NBA All-Star, but he pointed out that Saturday night wasn’t the first time the two teamed up.

“We’ve played down in Louisiana a few times,” Morris said. “In Houston, we work out together and play pick-up games.

“It’s a great experience because while you’re playing he gives you little pointers — small things that you wouldn’t think about.”

In his third season out of the NBA spotlight, Van Exel has an itch to return. In a coaching capacity, that is.

He got his first taste last July when he served as a coach for the Nuggets during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

“Definitely,” he said about a future in coaching. “I’m trying my hardest to get into it now. I’ve talked to a few teams here and there. I got a break last year with the Nuggets. I’m trying to get in there.”

**A winning weekend**

If the Kenosha All-Stars looked like they were out of gas at the end of their 111-97 loss to the Racine All-Stars on Saturday night, there was good reason.

Earlier in the day, a majority of the team — playing as Jay-Bee Auto — won the championship in the Hoops for Christ tournament at the Hinkston Fieldhouse in Waukegan, Ill.

Jay-Bee went 5-0 in the two-day tourney.

Along with Morris and Van Exel, other members of the winning team were Trent Bardwell, Maurice “Stretch” Barnett, Jose Garcia, Damon Osborne, Jeremiah Randle, David Tolefree and Oreyanta Young. The team is coached by Tony Moore.

“It’s a great tournament to help out their community,” Morris said. “It was a charity weekend.”