North Central's Gordon builds his reputation
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By Jeff Rabjohns
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Eric Gordon sat on the bench between games at North Carolina's Dean Smith Center and his gaze never drifted upward.
Not toward any of the dozens of banners hanging from the rafters for Atlantic Coast Conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances or national titles. Not toward any of the jerseys of former Tar Heels greats.
Games at the Dean Dome, at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium? Killing time in airports, hanging in hotel rooms? It's all part of the summer basketball circuit for a rising young high school basketball player.
Aside from the many perks, the summer season is also a crucible of scrutiny.
Gordon, a 6-3 shooting guard from North Central High School, already is considered one of the top 20 players in the Class of 2007. But this summer, the one between a player's sophomore and junior years, is when a national reputation is forged, when a player solidifies himself as of one of the best in the nation or just another solid recruit.
Spiece Indy teammates such as Greg Oden and Mike Conley, seniors-to-be at Lawrence North, already have made their reputations, and are likely close to picking a college. For Gordon, the time to shine is now. Playing well in events like last weekend's Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions can push Gordon into the elite, position him to be next year where his more-famous teammates are now.
"Once you're on the national scene and playing against everyone else who is the man in their state, that right there is exposure, and then you start to rise," said O.J. Mayo, a shooting guard from Cincinnati who is the top-ranked player in the Class of 2007 and projected as a possible NBA lottery pick.
Gordon played well at the Gibbons event, scoring in double figures in four of five games even though Spiece, the defending champion, was upset in the quarterfinals. Playing alongside Oden, Conley,
Ohio State-bound Daequan Cook and other nationally ranked players, Gordon was the leading scorer in one game with 18 points. He displayed a growing repertoire of skills: above-average defense, even against older, nationally ranked players, and more moves off the dribble in addition to his already deadly 3-point shooting.
"It's nice when you go to the big atmospheres and big tournaments," Gordon said after Spiece won a game at the Dean Dome. "You always see the better teams. That's what makes it exciting. Every big place you go, there's always so many good players."
After one of the summer's first showcase events, the Spiece Run 'N Slam in Fort Wayne, Ind., that ended May 1, there was considerable chatter about Gordon's head-to-head battle with Mayo.
An explosive scorer and exceptional leaper, Mayo already has been on magazine covers, one labeling him "The next LeBron." Gordon held his own.
Guarded by Gordon, Mayo missed his first five shots as Spiece jumped ahead. Gordon finished with 16 points, including 10 of his team's 12 during one key stretch. Mayo finished with 27 points, many coming with Spiece comfortably in the lead on the way to a 77-58 win.
"If you're holding your own and competing with O.J. Mayo -- he's projected as a guy . . . who can beat the odds and go straight from high school to the NBA -- that's something," said Gibbons, who has been rating high school basketball players for more than two decades.
So far this summer, Spiece has played in four major tournaments, which attract scouts whose rankings are sold to every major college in the country. The rankings are important because college coaches are forbidden by NCAA rules to watch some of the events, even though NBA scouts are regularly in attendance.
The next big stage of the summer for top players is individual events, such as Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis, July 5-9; the Reebok ABCD Camp in New Jersey, July 4-9; and the Adidas Superstar All-American Camp in Georgia, July 5-9. More team events follow later in July.
In the normal course of recruiting, high school players become known during the summer after their freshman year, make their mark after their sophomore year and usually pick a college the summer after their junior year.
Gordon, who lists Illinois as his favorite, said he plans to have a college decision by the beginning of his senior year.
For Gordon's class, this summer's performances will determine which players will be doggedly pursued by college basketball's elite.
"It helps significantly in terms of getting national recognition, in terms of being a candidate for postseason honors like McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American," Gibbons said. "You go head-to-head in competition with your peers from all around the country, whereas in high school, you're limited to who is in your league and who you meet by chance in tournaments and the state playoffs.
"This gives a player a great gauge where they stand, what they need to work on to make it to a higher level. It determines what level you can play in college and, for some, even the NBA."
Gordon, the best player on his high school team, often faced double teams last winter. Now, surrounded by other great players who demand attention, Gordon has a better chance to show his ability.
"I would say it's more fun," Gordon said of the summer season. "You're playing with guys who are the best players in the country all the time."
He got a taste of the big-time last summer in a tournament in Houston, when he first noticed the hordes of college coaches watching.
"When I first saw it, I couldn't believe it," he said. "I wasn't used to seeing hundreds of coaches from around the country going to a game.
"It makes a big impression."
Just like Gordon is trying to do.
