C Greg Oden (All B1G, All-American, Defensive Player of the Year, Butler Assistant Coach)

[jwinslow]

Just more proof that this kid is a class act

<hedline><hl1>Humble big man</hl1></hedline>

<hedline><hl2>7-foot prep star in no rush to chase NBA millions</hl2></hedline>

<!-- CUTLINE: --> <b><byline>By Mick McGrane</byline></b>
<byttl>STAFF WRITER</byttl>

<story.date>June 8, 2005</story.date>

<body.content></body.content><table align="right"><tbody><tr><td><table align="right"><tbody><tr><td><!-- IMAGE TABLE --> <table align="right" cellpadding="2" width="220"> <tbody><tr> <td>

JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune​

Greg Oden illustrates his shot-swatting ability against China.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" width="220"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table bgcolor="#dfdfdf" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td>

• 2005 International Sports Invitational
• Volleyball opens for U.S. men

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody></table> It's a tale so well-worn it comes with holes in its high-tops.

A superstar high school basketball player, perched atop a pedestal with its pinnacle in the clouds, succumbs to the seduction of millions, shoe companies panting for his endorsement like a Saint Bernard at the height of summer.

What the player lacks in maturity is meaningless. The NBA's hunger to hype the next-great-whatever is akin to pacifying a bear with bean sprouts. Swimming in a sea of unsolicited and often unsound advice, the school boy signs, walks away with a fistful of dollars and, Lebron James aside, promptly takes a dive into the depths of obscurity.

And then there is the tale of Greg Oden, which in an era of inflated egos and instant gratification seems firmly rooted in retro.

Oden is the Gatorade National Boys' Basketball Player of the Year. He has led his high school team – Indianapolis Lawrence North – to consecutive Indiana Class 4A state titles. He averaged 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game this season. He was the Parade Magazine Co-Player of the Year and is the only player other than James to win the Gatorade award as a junior.

<!-- BEGIN:SIDEBAR --> <!--startclickprintexclude--> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" width="250"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table bgcolor="#dfdfdf" border="0" cellpadding="15" cellspacing="0" width="240"> <tbody><tr> <td> 2005 International
Sports Invitational In San Diego through Sunday

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--endclickprintexclude--> <!-- END:SIDEBAR --> He also happens to be 7-feet tall, an asset that induces knee-knocking among NBA scouts and prompts owners to part with cash faster than an out-of-kilter ATM.

The kicker? Oden couldn't care less. In possession of a 3.5 grade-point average, Oden, of all things, plans to go to college.

Next thing you know, Terrell Owens will take on the regimen of a Trappist monk.

"My high school career hasn't been that great," said Oden, who as a member of the U.S. under-19 mens basketball team is in town this week taking part in the International Olympic Festival.

Oden's USA White team routed China last night 112-59 as Oden scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. He also recorded six rebounds and six blocked shots.

"Any 7-footer can average 20 points a game," Oden said. "Right now, I'm not good enough for the NBA. I'm just hoping I'm good enough for a Division I college, so it can help prepare me to get to the next level."

Humble? By comparison, Bob Cratchit was overbearing.

If Oden has his reasons for remaining reserved, he also has a shining example in Washington Wizards forward Kwame Brown. The first high schooler ever selected No. 1 in the NBA draft (2001), the 7-foot Brown was handed a season-ending suspension last month for what Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld called "philosophical differences." Long frustrated by his inability to become a consistent part of Washington's offense, Brown, who was 19 when drafted, is averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The suspension came on the heels of NBA commissioner David Stern's push to implement an age limit of 20 for players entering the league. As much as Oden admits to his own limitations, however, he views Stern's proposal as poppycock.

"Just because somebody isn't ready to go (to the NBA) doesn't mean he shouldn't be able to," Oden said. "I'm not a fan of the rule, because I know there are lots of high school kids that are ready. To deny them that right, just because they're young, doesn't seem fair."

Neither is this: In a state tournament championship game this year against nationally ranked and previously unbeaten Arlington High, Oden blocked a staggering 18 shots.

"The coach of the other team decided they were going to go right at him and try to get him in foul trouble," said USA Basketball coach Pat Fitterer, who while not overseeing Olympians serves as head coach at Eisenhower High in Seattle. "I can't even imagine someone blocking 18 shots. That's incredible.

<!---------- BEGIN BIGBOXAD ----------> <script language=\"JavaScript\" src="http://www.signonsandiego.com/scripts/oas_x32.js"></script><script language=\"JavaScript1.1\" src="http://oas.signonsandiego.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.cgi/www.uniontrib.com/uniontrib/news_1s8olyfest.html@x32"></script><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">

</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">

</td><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff">Advertisement</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <!---------- END BIGBOXAD ---------->"He's recognized as the top high school player in the United States, but you would never know it by his demeanor. He's just so humble and such a good person, but you can't overlook his talent. He's a very focused player. When we scrimmaged this week and substituted for him, the whole game changed."

As could the rest of Oden's life, should crates of cash crowd the mind of a premiere player said to have narrowed his college choices to Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wake Forest.

"To have as many kids who have come before him be suckered in by all that money, he is a rare case," said Fitterer, a proponent of Stern's under-20 proposal. "One of the reasons they're having problems in the NBA is that the kids aren't mature enough to have that kind of money or the responsibility that comes with it. A lot of them end up doing things that are destructive.

"Just having the college experience for a year or two can make a lot of difference. If you look at a guy like Marvin Williams at North Carolina, (a graduate of Bremerton High in Washington who played against Fitterer's teams), he was ready to go out of high school. But he decided to go to college for a year to get that experience and now he's a lottery pick. He was mostly a sixth man, but that maturity and the unselfishness he developed showed him that even greater things could happen."

Things that Greg Oden envisions for himself.

"I'm still trying to take everything in," he said of the recruiting process. "All I can do is just keep working hard and keep trying to improve my game. And, hopefully, one day I will be able to say I made it to the NBA."

 

[wadc45]

It's not often that you see a kid who has reached the status that Greg has that is as tempered as he seems to be. I am going to enjoy watching his career no matter which road he travels.

 

[ohiobuck94]

interest list

According to this prospect list, Oden has Indiana and Mich. St as high interest and tOSU as medium interest. FWIW :osu:

 

[wadc45]

interest list

According to this prospect list, Oden has Indiana and Mich. St as high interest and tOSU as medium interest. FWIW :osu:

sounds kind of like what I posted on the previous page of this thread...

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scouthoops.com (free)

6/9/05




Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>USA Wins A Pair

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>

Bill Walker (Scout.com, Jim Hawkins)

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By USA Basketball Media Relations Department
Date: Jun 8, 2005

The International Sports Festival tipped in San Diego Tuesday afternoon. Courtesy of USA Basketball Media Relations, here are some recaps and box scores from the first day of action.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>
<HR>Box Score

With the help of 21 points from Bill Walker and 20 from Kyle Singler, the USA White Team (1-0) used a strong defense, hot shooting and an 18-0 second-quarter run to breeze past China (0-1) 112-59 in a game in which the Americans forced 25 turnovers and shot 58.8 percent from the floor.

Already ahead 30-16 at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to Walker's 11 points, USA White kept up its stingy defense and lights-out shooting in the second quarter and reeled off 18 consecutive points. The 18-0 run was capped by a Singler break-away dunk that pushed the lead to 52-23.

The U.S. White team entered the locker room at the half ahead 57-27 behind 58.5 percent shooting from the floor, while forcing 15 China turnovers. The USA defense, behind Greg Oden's four blocked shots in the first half, limited China to 33.3 percent shooting.

"It starts with defense," said USA White head coach Pat Fitterer. "This group is so good defensively. We put so much pressure on China we got them on their heels. Our goal was to come out and play really well and win each quarter."

USA White came out at the start of the second half playing as well as it had in the first. Walker sparked a 9-0 run, scoring six points on three dunks to put the Americans ahead 70-31 with 6:01 remaining in the third. The USA White Team improved its field goal shooting to 59.0 percent in the second half while out-rebounding the taller Chinese squad 47-27 for the game.

"The team came out with a lot of intensity from the start," said Oden. "My mind set coming into the game was just to play hard. Blocked shots come along, rebounds come along when you play hard."

Walker scored his team high 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbed six rebounds to led six USA White players in double figures. Singler posted 20 points, Oden had 16 and a team high six blocks, Darrell Arthur added 11, while Michael Conley and Javaris Crittenton each scored 10. Paul Harris and Bryce Webster grabbed eight rebounds apiece.

Chen Jiangua, a 6-2 guard, led China with 14 points. Zhou Peng, a 6-10 center, De Lehei, a 6-11 forward and Han Shuo, a 6-6 guard, scored 12, 10 and 10 points, respectively.

<HR>Box Score

In first day action of the five-day tournament, the USA Red Team (1-0) behind 15 points from Gerald Henderson rolled past Canada (0-1) 82-64.



The USA Red Team, relied on relentless end line to end line defensive pressure that forced 35 turnovers in the victory. Additionally, the United States never trailed in the contest and led for all but 1:37.

Owning a 25-16 lead after the first quarter, the USA Red squad began the second quarter with a 9-1 run and held Canada without a field goal for the first 4:23 of the period. The USA Red's defense was just too much for the Canadian team as the U.S. held Canada to only 11 points in the quarter to take a 17 point lead, 44-27, at the break.

Canada kept the U.S. Red team from blowing the game wide open. The Canadians cut the U.S. lead to 14 points halfway through the third quarter, however, the USA refused to relinquish momentum or the lead, and extended its advantage to 24 points after posting a 7-0 run just before the end of the third quarter.

"They are a very well-coached team," said U.S. Blue's Henderson, a 6-5 guard from Blue Bell, Penn. "They played hard. We got on them defensively which I thought rattled them early, so we were able to get off to a quick lead."

Henderson and Canada's Scott Brittain led all scorers in the game with 15 points. Two other players, forward Bryan Davis and Brook Lopez also scored in double figures for the U.S with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Lopez was also tied for the team lead with Damion James with eight rebounds each. "Our effort was good," said Red head coach Otis Hughley. "Gerald did a good job tonight. He's just steady. That's 15 (points) I didn't know he had. He's just steady and solid. He's a guy you never worry about." Forward Olu Ahaolou and guard Junior Cadougan also scored in double figures tonight for Canada, totaling 12 and 11 points, respectively, while center Robert Sacre pulled down nine boards to lead all rebounders.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

rivals.com$

6/9/05

At the International Sports Invitational in San Diego, California......The USA White squad defeated Canada 105-69......Oden had 12 points and 5 rebounds in limited action.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

6/9/05

SAN DIEGO -- Greg Oden is against increasing the NBA age limit to 20, not because he has plans to enter the NBA draft after high school but because he said the decision of when to go pro should be up to each player.

Oden's views will be among those featured in the HBO show "Costas Now," scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Friday.

The program includes a taped interview with Oden at his home and interviews with other players projected as possible NBA lottery picks in 2006, such as Derrick Caracter, a 6-8 forward from New Jersey.

"It was basically us speaking for the rest of the high school players," Oden said Wednesday from the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival at San Diego State University.

Currently, players are eligible for the draft at 18. NBA commissioner David Stern is pushing for a minimum age of 20.

"I'm not a fan of it, but I personally want to go to college," said Oden, projected as the No. 1 NBA pick in 2006 if he declares. "But if there's a player good enough to do it, why not give him the chance.

"It's not like they have to draft him if a player enters the draft. I don't see what's the problem with them being so young. It should be the player's choice."

Oden, a 7-foot center entering his senior season at Lawrence North, reiterated he has no intention of declaring for the draft after high school.

"I still want to go to college," said Oden, who has narrowed his college choices to Ohio State, Wake Forest, Indiana and Michigan State.

Still No. 1

Rivals.com unveiled new player rankings Wednesday and Oden remained the No. 1 player in the Class of 2006.

"I think it's a tribute to Greg that he stayed No. 1," said Jerry Meyer, the rivals.com scout in San Diego this week. "It's human nature for people to look for a reason to change. A lot of national analysts are looking for a reason to debunk Greg and put someone else No. 1, but it's a tribute to him that he stayed No. 1."

Oden, who has been the No. 1 player in his class since after his freshman year of high school, said he doesn't care where he's ranked.

"I know there are a lot of players better than I am," he said. "They are just rankings. But I'm still going to go out and try my hardest and play my best every time I play."

Scouts have noticed improvements in Oden's game, from his developing jump shot to stronger moves in the post.

Teammate Mike Conley, also playing this week in the festival, dropped from No. 35 to 40 but was No. 7 among point guards.

Like Oden, he shrugged off the rankings.

"College coaches know what they want in certain players," the 6-1 Conley said. "Some player they might be looking for might be in the back of the rankings."

Rare chance for Doc

Most everyone associated with an NBA coaching staff or front office is in Chicago this week for the predraft camp. Celtics coach Doc Rivers got a reprieve.

He's here at the festival, where his son, Jeremiah, is playing. Ranked as the 92nd best player in the nation, the younger Rivers, a 6-2 point guard committed to Georgetown, plays for his high school in Winter Park, Fla.

It also allows Rivers a chance to see players who may be declaring for the NBA draft in the future.

Rivers gave a hearty endorsement to changes in the festival format. For the first time, USA Basketball is having American teenagers face international competition. The three U.S. teams are playing Canada, China, New Zealand and Russia.

"They say the reason we lose the Ryder Cup (in golf) every year is because the Europeans play soccer country against country every year, and they're used to that," Rivers said. ". . . I think this is the best idea we've come up with in a long time."

Another victory

The USA White squad, featuring Oden and Conley, improved to 2-0 with a 105-69 victory over Canada in Wednesday's late game. Oden had 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists. Conley had eight points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist.

The most anticipated game of festival pool play is at 10 tonight when the USA White plays USA Red, led by D.J. Augustin, one of the nation's top-ranked point guards, shooting guards Daequan Cook (Ohio State) and Jon Scheyer (Duke), and 7-foot Brook Lopez (Stanford).

In USA Blue's 118-57 win over New Zealand, Thaddeus Young, a 6-8 forward from Memphis, Tenn., ranked No. 3 in the 2006 class, fell attempting a spin move on a fast break. The preliminary diagnosis was a minor ankle sprain.

USA Red beat China 107-70 behind 25 points from Cook.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

LINK

6/11/05

The USA White Team (4-0) fought a tough Russian (1-2) squad and came out on top 105-86 for the right to advance to the gold medal game. With four starters whistled for no less than three points apiece, the White looked to its bench and Javaris Crittenton (Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy / Atlanta, Ga.) and Kyle Singler (South Medford H.S. / Medford, Ore.) did not disappoint, combining for 40 points.

"It was a great team effort," said USA White head coach Pat Fitterer (Eisenhower H.S. / Seattle, Wash.). "Javaris was huge tonight, he came in and gave us a great spark. We didn't adjust the to officiating very well and Greg (Oden) got out of it early. You don't always get what you want but tonight we finally adjusted and got the job done."

Darrell Arthur (South Oak Cliff H.S. / Dallas, Texas) opened the scoring with a jumper 48 seconds into the game but Russia stayed close and took the lead on a three-point play by Maxim Sheleketo. The Russians fought for second-chance baskets, continued to build their lead thanks to six first quarter offensive rebounds, and earned their biggest lead, 24-17, on a Konstantin Berkov jumper with 2:25 left in the first. The U.S. closed the gap and Crittenton hit one of two free throws 3.9 seconds left in the period to cut Russia's lead to three (28-25) at the break.

Reynolds found Greg Oden (Lawrence North H.S. / Indianapolis, Ind.) for a layup after Paul Harris (Niagara Falls H.S. / Niagara Falls, N.Y.) stole the inbound pass 18 seconds into the second quarter to cut the Russian advantage to two, 27-29. Oden grabbed an offensive rebound and tied the game with a basket at the 8:06 mark and the teams were knotted at 29-29.

Two free throws by Singler gave the Americans their first lead, 31-30, since the 6:50 mark in the first frame. Russia tied the score on the following possession but Harris hit two free throws to put USA White ahead 35-33, a lead it never relinquished.

After a turnaround jumper from Artem Yakovenko brought Russia within one, 38-37, the White Team reeled off seven straight points, capped by a Scottie Reynolds (Herndon H.S. / Herndon, Va.) layup from his back court steal to up the American advantage to 45-37 at 5:00 left in the half.

"We didn't play our best in the first quarter so I just tried to come out and play with my all and pump my team up," said Crittenton, who had 12 points before the break. "There are a lot of great players on our team so we have to be very unselfish and play our best."

Another 7-0 run, which included five points from Michael Conley (Lawrence North H.S. / Indianapolis, Ind.), gave USA White a double-digit cushion, 51-41, with 3:18 remaining in the half. The Americans entered the locker room with a comfortable 56-43 lead after outscoring Russia 31-15 in the second quarter in large part to 87.7 percent (20-23 FTs) from the foul line in the half.

Singler and Crittenton scored 14 of the White Team's first 18 second half points to give the Americans a 22 point lead, 74-52, with 4:24 gone in the third. Russia never got closer that 16 points and the Americans eased into the gold medal game with a 19-point final margin.

"I'm really excited (about playing for a gold medal)," said Fitterer. "The kids are really excited. They've come here and earned the right, they've worked hard done everything we've asked and earned the right to play for a gold medal."

"I always watched the NBA players (play for a gold medal)," said Crittenton. "It's great now that I'm in the situation. I know we're going to take it."

USA White received a game-high 21 points from Crittenton. Harris posted a double-double with 12 points and 14 boards and added five assists and Singler notched 19 points on 5-of-6 field goal and 6-of-8 free throw shooting. Oden, despite playing only eight first half minutes due to foul trouble, scored 12, Arthur added 10 and Reynolds nabbed a game-high four steals.

Sheleketo led Russia with 19 points. Igor Smyghin scored 15, Anatoly Kashirov added 13 and Yakovenko had 10.

<!-- #EndEditable -->

http://www.usabasketball.com/men/2005/05_mydf_game11-story.html

LINK

6/11/05

June 11, 2005


USA Basketball Youth Development Festival notebook
Oden's teammates show they can win on his off night
Fouls slow 7-foot Lawrence North star, but USA White guards lead team to title game.

<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>

</TD><TD><!--MAIN PHOTO--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>Showdown: Cincinnati's O.J. Mayo (right), the No. 1 player in the Class of 2007, and USA Blue await Greg Oden's team in tonight's final. -- Jeff Swinger / The Enquirer
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!--RELATED ARTICLES--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Related articles
• Oden to face top-ranked junior in gold-medal game
• Bill Walker: 'Dirty McNasty' likes to dunk

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By Jeff Rabjohns
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'jeff.rabjohns'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]


SAN DIEGO -- Greg Oden and his teammates have yet to face a team they can't dominate.

Through their first three games at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, their superiority inside was the decisive factor.

In Friday's semifinal against a Russian team with a front line that included 6-10, 6-10 and 7-2 players, the USA White squad leaned on its perimeter players.

Guard Javaris Crittenton of Atlanta scored a game-high 21 points, and forward Paul Harris from Niagara Falls, N.Y., added 12 points and five assists in a 105-86 victory. Mike Conley of Lawrence North added nine points and three assists in 18 minutes and teamed with Crittenton to spark a pressure attack.

The USA White squad is 4-0, winning by an average of 34.5 points. White plays at 10 tonight in the gold medal game against the USA Blue, led by O.J. Mayo. Blue beat USA Red 96-74 in the other semifinal.

"We just tried to match up well with them, but they can dribble and take it to the hole," said Oden, who had 12 points and three rebounds in 18 foul-plagued minutes. "Our big guys were in foul trouble, so there wasn't that much we could do."

Forward Kyle Singler of Oregon, a strong spot-up shooter, added 19 points, hitting 3-of-4 from behind the 3-point arc.

USA White's starting front line of 7-foot Oden, the national Player of the Year from Lawrence North, 6-6 Bill Walker of Cincinnati and 6-9 Darrell Arthur of Dallas each were called for three fouls in the first half.

The Russians shot 10-for-27 from 3-point range. Maxim Sheleketo, a 6-10 forward, scored 19 points to lead four Russians in double figures.

"They have one of those Peja Stojakovic-like shots," Oden said. "No matter how close you are, it's going off in a half second. . . . It's hard to defend."

The game was close for most of the first half. USA White finally went up by 20 midway through the third quarter when Oden posted up against 6-9 Artem Yakovenko and Sheleketo on the left block and spun around them for a dunk, drawing a foul.

Early in the third quarter, Oden appeared to block a shot from Sheleketo but was called for a foul by official Zhou Jiangan.

"You're taking away the best player in the country," USA White coach Pat Fitterer barked at Zhou. "He's played about six minutes because of you."

Russian looks to be drafted

Yaroslav Korolev, considered the best player on the Russian squad here this week, said Friday he hopes to be drafted by an NBA team. He hasn't played at the festival amid rumors an unnamed NBA team has promised to draft him in the first round.

Korolev, the 18-year-old son of Russian coach Igor Korolev, is listed as a 6-11, 202-pound forward. He said Friday he wasn't playing because of a sore knee.

Korolev, who has an agent, Marc Fleisher, wouldn't confirm he has a deal to be drafted.

"I hope, of course," Korolev said. "I want to be there. I'm very, very excited. I'll get all the chances I can to be there."

Even if he is drafted, he could play in Europe before joining an NBA team. "I don't know what we'll do," he said. "We have to decide, me and my agent."

Korolev is reported to be an outstanding shooter and passer, in the mold of Milwaukee Bucks forward Toni Kukoc.

LINK

June 11, 2005

USA Basketball Youth Development Festival
Oden to face top-ranked junior in gold-medal game

<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>

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• Oden's teammates show they can win on his off night
• Bill Walker: 'Dirty McNasty' likes to dunk

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- STORY TEXT --><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->By Jeff Rabjohns
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'jeff.rabjohns'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]

SAN DIEGO -- For the second time this summer, there will be a head-to-head battle between the two high school basketball players ranked No. 1 in the next two graduating classes.

The USA White squad, led by Lawrence North's 7-foot senior center Greg Oden, will face USA Blue and Cincinnati junior shooting guard O.J. Mayo in the gold-medal game of the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. The game tips off at 10 p.m. Saturday at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

Oden is the No. 1 player in the class of 2006 while the 6-4 Mayo is the top-ranked player in the 2007 class.

"He's most definitely the most dominating player in the country," Mayo said of Oden. "All you can do is try to contain him, help on defense, talk. He's the most dominant player in amateur basketball right now."

The two faced off earlier in an AAU tournament. In the Spiece Run 'N Slam in Fort Wayne in May, Oden led Spiece Indy Heat to a 77-58 victory over Mayo's D-I Greyhounds. Oden had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks while Mayo had 27 points.

Mayo is the festival's leading scorer, averaging 26.3 points to go with four assists per game. He scored a game-high 29 points in Blue's 96-74 semifinal victory over the Red late Friday night.

Oden's best game came in a 103-83 victory over USA Red on Thursday. Facing Stanford-bound 7-footer Brook Lopez and 7-foot Tom Herzog of Michigan, Oden had game-highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds to go with three blocks and three assists

Oden is averaging 16 points, 6.8 rebounds, and three blocks per game.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

LINK

6/12/05

The USA White team captured gold at the 2005 International Sports Invitational, defeating USA Blue by a 107-85 final, despite a game-high 31 points by Blue's O.J. Mayo (North College Hill H.S. / North College Hill, Ohio).

USA White was able to pull away in the second half, outscoring Blue 31-19 in the fourth quarter as foul trouble kept Blue big men, Robin Lopez (San Joaquin Memorial H.S./Fresno, Calif.), Mike Washington (Heritage Christian Academy (Texas)/McGehee, Ark.) and Dwayne Collins (Miami Senior H.S./Miami, Fla.) on the bench for much of the second half.

The two teams battled back and forth in the first quarter and the game was tied at 23 with 23 seconds left, after Mayo scored 15 out of 16 straight points for the USA Blue team. Two free throws by Bryce Webster (St. Thomas Academy/St. Paul, Minn.) gave the White squad a slim 25-23 lead after one.

White pulled ahead by six points, 40-34 with 5:33 left in the half ,before Blue began a 7-2 run capped by a Mayo jumper at the 4:03 mark to cut the lead to one, 42-41. But, a cut above his right eye with just over three minutes remaining in the second quarter forced Mayo to head into the locker room early. USA White capitalized, outscoring Blue 15-5 over the remainder of the quarter to take a 58-46 lead at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, the Blue squad inched closer, 76-66, after the third quarter. However, the fourth quarter belonged to USA White. With an 11-point cushion, 82-71 with 7:44 left in the game, White began a 15-3 run, that included five dunks by four different players and gave them a 97-74 lead, sealing the victory with 4:09 left in the game. From that point the teams exchanged buckets, and USA White walked away with a 107-85 victory.

"It was really exciting," said White head coach Pat Fitterer (Eisenhower H.S./Seattle, Wash.). I'm most excited because we had 29 assists tonight, that was awesome. This is the most unselfish crew I've ever had. Greg Oden thanked everybody for letting him be a part of the team and everybody else was just awesome, they had a great team concept. I told them now I want them to go out and win a couple more gold medals for USA."

Three players scored in double figures for USA White, including 28 points (11-22 FGs) from Paul Harris (Niagara Falls H.S./Niagara Falls, N.Y.). Center Greg Oden (Lawrence North H.S. . Indianapolis, Ind.) and forward Bill Walker (North College Hill H.S. / Cincinnati, Ohio), aided by the foul trouble of the Blue squad, chipped in 21 and 18, respectively, and Oden pulled down 11 rebounds. Five players also dished out at least five assists. Oden also broke the USA Youth Development Festival record for field-goal percentage, shooting 74.4 percent (32-43 FGs) in the tournament.
"This feels good," said Harris. "I told my dad, ‘If I win, I'm giving you the gold medal,' so I'm going to give it to my dad."

Mayo and Wayne Ellington (The Episcopal Academy/Wynnewood, Penn.) shouldered the load for USA Blue. In addition to 31 points (11-24 FGs), Mayo also tallied six rebounds and seven steals. Ellington finished the game with 27 points (11-23 FGs) and a game-high 12 rebounds.

"I know O.J. (Mayo) is a good player so I tried to play full court on him and set a lot of picks." added Harris. " I tried to contain him but he's very good."

Mayo finished as the high-scorer for the tournament, averaging 27.5 points per game.

USA Blue Team member Thaddeus Young (Mitchell H.S. / Memphis, Tenn.) suffered a second degree (moderate) ankle sprain in his squad's 118-57 victory over New Zealand on June 8. Listed as day-to-day, Young was evaluated and treated by the U.S. Olympic Committee medical staff..

<!-- #EndEditable -->

Oden had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scouthoops.com (free)

6/14/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Oden & Co. Too Tough Inside

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Frank Burlison National Basketball Analyst
Date: Jun 13, 2005

O.J. Mayo led a 3-point barrage for Team USA Blue Saturday night. Ultimately, though, Greg Oden, Paul Harris and Bill Walker were just too powerful inside the lane and Team USA White came away with gold medals during the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival/International Sports Invitational at San Diego State.
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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]SAN DIEGO – When can a basketball team cruise to a 22-point victory despite missing 16 of 20 shots from behind the 3-point arc and committing 19 turnovers?[/font]

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When it’s got an overwhelming offensive attack inside the lane (or, as Hubie Brown is found of calling it, “the painted area”).[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That’s what Team USA White had throughout the week at San Diego State during the seven-team, USA Basketball Youth Development Festival/International Sports Invitational.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Five opponents were victimized by it, the last of those being Team USA Blue Saturday night in the gold medal game. Despite having, arguably, the two best offensive backcourt players anywhere on the school level for next season, the Blue squad was overwhelmed, 107-85, by the White, just like China (112-59), Canada (105-69), Team USA Red (103-83) and Russia (105-86) were the previous four evenings.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Team USA White center Greg Oden came into the event hyped as the most overpowering post player on the high school level. He left San Diego with his gold medal and his No. 1 big man credentials ever the more etched in stone.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Indianapolis resident, who was perfect from the field in the championship game while leading the Spiece Indy Heat to the Reebok/Big Time Tournament title in Las Vegas last July, was just as near-flawless in his Saturday night performance in Cox Arena.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He converted all nine of his field-goal attempts and all three of his free throws for 21 points to go with 11 rebounds. He was credited with just one assist and two blocked shots but those totals should have been more like three or four assists and four or five blocks.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paul Harris and Bill Walker, who have the frames and physiques of NFL outside linebackers, scored 28 and 18 points, respectively, with Harris also doing a more then commendable 1-on-1 defensive job on Team USA Blue standout O.J. Mayo.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How offensively skilled is the 6-4 Mayo? Harris’ defense on Mayo couldn’t have been any better yet the junior-to-be from Cincinnati scored 31 points despite missing the final five minutes of the second quarter while receiving five stitches over his right eye, courtesy an inadvertent elbow from Harris (who was dribbling against Mayo’s defense at the time).[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wayne Ellington (27 points and 12 rebounds) also had a marvelous game for Team USA Blue. Maybe something – more accurately, someone – will change my opinion in July but the four games he played in San Diego convinced me that he’s clearly the best two-guard in the national Class of 2006.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But while Mayo, Ellington and Tory Jackson (a very good point guard prospect from Saginaw, MI, Buena Vista) were combining to cast off 31 3-pointers (hitting 10), Team USA White was pounding the ball into the post to Oden.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And Harris and Walker were driving at will or overwhelming defenders inside the lane.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Game . . . set . . . match.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ALL-TOURNAMENT<o:p></o:p>[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](As selected by Frank Burlison)<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER:<o:p></o:p>[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Greg Oden (Team USA White/Indianapolis Lawrence North; 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: There are a lot of very, very good players in the national Class of 2006. But, literally and figuratively, Oden towers everyone. His offensive skills still need a lot of polishing but he’s made huge strides in that area over the past year.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]FIRST-TEAM ALL-TOURNEY<o:p></o:p>[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Oden included)<o:p></o:p>[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O.J. Mayo (Team USA Blue/Cincinnati North College Hill; 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 6.0 steals per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: He’s the most offensively skilled guard on the school scene today. And his defense isn’t bad, either. He scored 31 points Saturday night, despite the cut over his right eye. But he could have done a better job of getting his teammates (other than Ellington) involved in the offensive flow, too, in the title game.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paul Harris (Team USA White/Niagara Falls; 17.8 points, 9.0 points and 3.6 assists per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: His jump shot (to a great degree) and his decision making with the ball are going to need a lot of refinement if he’s going to be a full-time guard on the college level. But he’s 6-3 and about 225 pounds, and he gets maximum results out of all of that bulk and strength.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wayne Ellington (Team USA Blue/Merion, PA, The Episcopal Academy; 20.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: Offensively, he’s nearly as complete as Mayo. And there wasn’t a player with more fluidity, be it his velvety jump shot or slick/keep the defender on his heels/drives. He is North Carolina’s next All-America caliber guard.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Daequan Cook (Team USA Red/Dayton, OH, Dunbar; 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: He doesn’t have nearly the offensively versatility or fluidity of Ellington but he’s a more explosive (at least, vertically) athlete. With some ball-handling polish, he’ll be an All-Big Ten performer at Ohio State before too deeply into his college career.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]SECOND TEAM<o:p></o:p>[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bill Walker (Team USA White/Cincinnati North College Hill; 17.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: No matter how well I’m able to describe the way this guy jumps, you’ll still be stunned the first time you see him elevate with both elbows above the iron to darn near shatter a backboard. He has off-the charts strength and improving ball-handling, passing and jump-shooting skills.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Kyle Singler (Team USA White/Medford, OR, South; 14.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: This 6-8 wing has more long-term potential than any player in the event besides Oden and Mayo. Along with fellow junior-to-be and Portland Elite Legends teammate Kevin Love (Lake Oswego), he’ll go down as one of the all-time best ever out of Oregon.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gerald Henderson (Team USA Red/Merion, PA, The Episcopal Academy; 16.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: The only thing he lacks right now to be among Mike Krzyzewski’s better players very early into his Duke career is the kind of legitimate jump shot that can keep defenders honest. “Unorthodox” describes his jumper right now.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Maxim Sheleketo (Russia/Petrovsk; 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: He’s listed at 6-10 on his team’s roster but looks a lot closer to 6-8. Never mind, though: He could be in the NBA one day.<o:p></o:p>[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chen Jianghua (China)[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Frank Says: Listed at 6-2 (probably very generously), his point guard skills surpassed any of his event counterparts other than Mayo. If he wasn’t the quickest player with the ball in his hands in the event, he was certainly the fastest. According to the team roster, he turned 16 on March 12. Relocate him to the United States and he’d be a McDonald’s All-America in a couple of years.[/font]

<o:p>[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font]</o:p>

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Recently elected to the USBWA Hall of Fame, Frank Burlison is Scout.com’s National Basketball Expert and also covers college basketball for the Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram. He can be reached at [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][email protected][/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]. Read more of Burlison’s pieces at [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]www.frankhoops.com[/font]

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[bucknut11]

Are you trying to say something about Oden with all those smilies?

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

rivals.com$

6/16/05

Last night the Indiana All-Stars defeated the Junior All-Stars which included Greg Oden...112-82.....Oden had 16 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 24 minutes of action.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

LINK

6/16/05

Indiana All-Stars vs. Junior All-Stars
Senior guards help neutralize Junior big man
All-Stars hit 19-of-40 3-pointers, Zeller 'got the best of' Oden; Taylor leads girls.

<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>

</TD><TD><!--MAIN PHOTO--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>Star showdown: Indiana Mr. Basketball Luke Zeller of Washington High School (left) guards next year's favorite for the honor, Greg Oden of Lawrence North. Oden said he was impressed by Zeller's strength after Wednesday's game. -- Rob Goebel / The Star
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By Pat McKee
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'pat.mckee'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]


WASHINGTON, Ind. -- The buzz was the Indiana All-Stars were going to struggle against the Junior All-Stars in the boys game.

The buzz proved to be bunk.

Led by 16 points apiece from Armon Bassett of Terre Haute South and Josh Mayo of Merrillville, the All-Stars used a barrage of 3-pointers to roll to a 112-82 victory Wednesday night in front 3,500 fans at the Hatchet House.

That came after Jerri Taylor of South Bend Washington scored a game-high 19 points and Cassie Kerns of Valparaiso hit the winner as the All-Stars hung on for an 85-84 win in the girls game.

Still, many in the exhibition-record crowd were on hand to see the hometown star, Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball Luke Zeller of Washington, face 7-foot junior Greg Oden of Lawrence North, who has been projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.

While interesting inside where Oden had team highs of 16 points and nine rebounds and Zeller countered with six points and a game-high 11 boards, the seniors' outside shooting was the real story.

The All-Stars hit 19-of-40 from 3-point range, led by Bassett and Lapel's Jason Holsinger with four each.

"This has been going on all week in practice," said Bassett, who hit 4-of-6 3s. "All these guys are good players and we've got great chemistry, so this is easy."

Lawrence North's Brandon McPherson said the outside shooting wasn't planned as much as it was forced by the Junior All-Stars, who also got 11 points from Bloomington South's Cole Holmstrom and 10 from Lakeland's Jon Workman but hit just 1-of-14 on 3-pointers.

"They rotated real well on help-side (defense), so that caused us to drive and kick," McPherson said.

All-Stars coach Joe Buck of Pendleton Heights was pleased with virtually all aspects of the performance.

"We shot the ball real well, but the fact we have players who shoot the ball well is not a surprise," Buck said. "But it was so good to see how unselfish our players were and how they made the extra pass to create the open shot. When you do that, you're going to shoot a good percentage."

Zeller said he and his teammates were motivated to face the Junior All-Stars and described his matchup with Oden as "tough." Oden credited the seniors for their play and said Zeller did a terrific job.

"They showed they're really prepared to play Kentucky," Oden said. "They got all the (loose) balls, all the rebounds and outhustled us. And Luke was a lot stronger than I thought he would be. He got the best of me (Wednesday night)."

In the girls game, Taylor was the source of good news and bad news for the All-Stars. The 5-6 guard scored 19 points as the seniors survived a late 3-point barrage from the Junior All-Stars. But Taylor also injured her right elbow with 13:19 to play and did not return.

"I'll be OK," said Taylor, whohit 7-of-9 shots, including all four 3-pointers, in 13 minutes. "It was good out there, while I was out there."

All-Stars coach Jack Campbell of Chesterton said he was not surprised by Taylor's performance.

"My team didn't play hers, but I have seen her and she's a dynamic player," said Campbell, whose squad also received 13 points from Corydon Central's Dana Beaven. "(Taylor) can shoot the 3, take you one-on-one or get the ball to other people. She's electric."

Kokomo's Audrey McDonald had 18 second-half points to lead the Junior All-Stars, who overcame a 20-point deficit to lead 84-83 before Kerns' rebound basket proved decisive.

"I felt we were going to win," said McDonald, who finished 6-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. "We were so close."

GIRLS

Indiana All-Stars 85, Junior All-Stars 84

Indiana All-Stars -- Howell 3-8 0-2 7, Beaven 2-5 9-10 13, Kerns 5-8 1-4 12, Taylor 7-9 1-2 19, Roudebush 3-10 3-4 9, Jarrett 1-4 0-0 3, Coner 0-5 3-4 3, Miller 1-5 0-0 2, Pruzin 0-1 0-0 0, Roberson 2-3 0-0 4, Green 2-4 0-0 4, Litka 1-6 1-2 4, Mayes 2-4 1-4 5. Totals: 29-72 19-32 85.

3-point shooting -- Juniors 10-31 (McDonald 4-9, Lechlitner 3-4, Payton 1-1, Lester 1-2, Harris 1-2, Huffman 0-3, Barlow 0-4, Malone 0-6), All-Stars 8-20 (Taylor 4-4, Kerns 1-1, Jarrett 1-2, Litka 1-2, Howell 1-5, Pruzin 0-1, Roberson 0-1, Miller 0-3). Rebounds -- Juniors 33 (Barlow 4, Lester 4, Wolfe 4), All-Stars 62 (Kerns 8, Beaven 8, Roudebush 7). Assists -- Juniors 17 (Malone 4, Huffman 4), All-Stars 18 (Taylor 3, Roberson 3). Turnovers -- Juniors 13 (Malone 3), All-Stars 18 (Taylor 3, Roberson 3). Blocks -- Juniors 9 (Harris 6), All-Stars 3 (Kerns, Roberson, Green). Steals -- Juniors 17 (Huffman 4), All-Stars 8 (Roudebush 2, Roberson 2). Total fouls -- Juniors 22, All-Stars 20. Fouled out -- None. Technicals -- None. Officials -- Mark Grundman, Dave Senning, P.J. Pitts.

BOYS

Indiana All-Stars 112, Junior All-Stars 82

Indiana All-Stars -- Zeller 1-11 4-4 6, Cloud 3-4 1-2 10, Holland 0-2 0-0 0, James 4-9 5-8 14, Holsinger 4-7 0-0 12, Rogers 2-2 2-2 8, Armstrong 1-4 2-2 4, Mayo 6-12 1-1 16, Drews 2-5 2-2 6, McPherson 5-5 0-0 12, Arnold 3-4 2-5 8, Bassett 6-8 0-0 16. Totals: 37-73 19-26 112.

Halftime score -- All-Stars 61, Juniors 37. 3-point shooting -- Juniors 1-14 (Holmstrom 1-5, Johnson 0-2, Conley 0-3, Workman 0-4), All-Stars 19-40 (Bassett 4-6, Holsinger 4-7, Cloud 3-4, Mayo 3-6, McPherson 2-2, Rogers 2-2, James 1-3, Drews 0-2, Holland 0-2, Zeller 0-6). Rebounds -- Juniors 48 (Oden 9, Robinson 6), All-Stars 43 (Zeller 11, Holland 5). Assists -- Juniors 14 (Conley 4), All-Stars 26 (Holsinger 8). Turnovers -- Juniors 16 (Conley 5), All-Stars 14 (Cloud 3). Blocks -- Juniors 3 (Oden 2), All-Stars 6 (Rogers 3). Steals -- Juniors 8 (Conley 2, Holmstrom 2, Robinson 2), All-Stars 7 (Zeller 2, James 2). Total fouls -- Juniors 17, All-Stars 20. Fouled out -- None. Technicals -- Player, Player. Officials -- Mike Zehr, Mark Gines, Dan Morgan. A -- 3,500.

 

[BuckWrestler141]

I think Oden was being pretty polite there, I mean the rest of Zellars numbers were pretty good but...

Indiana All-Stars -- Zeller 1-11 4-4 6

1 for 11 shooting, i'm liking Oden's Defense there :)

 

[hoopsfan]

Folks, I was at the game. And Greg saying that Zeller got the best of his is just Greg. Very typical of him to be so humble. Zeller had ONE FG - that was on a backdoor pass after Greg left him to help on defense - and Greg was literally within about an inch of recovering to pin the shot on the glass. I know Greg blocked at least 2 jump shots of Luke's, and Zeller could not handle him 1-on1 -- Greg was double and triple teamed nearly every time. When he wasn't, he scored - plain and simple.

I talked to Greg before the game, and he was extremely tired from San Diego last week. While his performance in this game might not have had the same energy as some others I have seen, he played barely half the game and dominated both ends while he was in. The Seniors made their runs with him on the bench. I asked Greg if they were planning to beat the seniors, and his reply was "No, we're just trying to help them get ready for Kentucky." A class act and team player all the way.
And, yes, I did ask him point blank "When are you and Mike going to make your college choice?". He said they will definitely wait to see what happens with the NBA age limit -- he indicated they really liked OSU, but said they would not decide until after the NBA decision. He didn't say why but read into it what you want!

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

great stuff hoopsfan.....any insight you can give us into the situation is greatly appreciated by all of us on BP.