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5/6
2006 Courier-Journal Super Five
A boon for college basketball
These guys will have to wait to play in pros By C.L. Brown
[email protected]
The Courier-Journal
For the college basketball purists out there, the ones who annually have cringed and shuddered in late June when the NBA draft plucked top high school players, you finally can exhale.
The Courier-Journal's Super Five -- the nation's best high school basketball prospects -- don't have that pro option this year. They all will be on a college campus near you this fall.
"College basketball will really pick up next (season) because it's getting some show stoppers back out there," said Ron Briscoe, publisher of Southeast Regional Basketball Report. "These guys are some headliners that people really want to see."
Under the NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement, a player cannot enter the draft until one year after his high school class graduates and must be at least 19 years old. That means 7-footer Greg Oden, the marquee player of the Super Five and the consensuses No. 1 player in the class of 2006, won't be the top pick in June's NBA draft. He'll be at Ohio State, despite talent that has led many pro scouts to say he could have been the top pick as a high school junior.
"He's the No. 1 pick this year, last year, next year or four years ago," said Sonny Vaccaro, director of Reebok's grassroots basketball program. "Big people with his kind of agility -- it's unbelievable."
A couple of the other Super Five selections also could have made the jump this season, but Kevin Durant (Texas), Brandan Wright (North Carolina), Spencer Hawes (Washington) and Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) will have to wait.
The C-J talked to coaches, recruiting analysts, NBA scouts and media to select the Super Five.
It marked the first time since 1999 the Super Five didn't have a member going straight to the NBA.
"Oden, Durant, they would probably be top-five picks in the draft this year," said ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale.
One thing Vitale can't guarantee is how long the giddiness will last. Super Five members could jump to the NBA after their freshman years.
"Once a kid steps on a collegiate level, sometimes they can be enticed about the excitement about what it's like to be a student," Vitale said. "Maybe their priorities are a little different … and they stay a lot longer than people think."
C.L. Brown can be reached at (812) 334-0669.
5/6
2006 Courier-Journal Super Five
A boon for college basketball
These guys will have to wait to play in pros By C.L. Brown
[email protected]
The Courier-Journal
For the college basketball purists out there, the ones who annually have cringed and shuddered in late June when the NBA draft plucked top high school players, you finally can exhale.
The Courier-Journal's Super Five -- the nation's best high school basketball prospects -- don't have that pro option this year. They all will be on a college campus near you this fall.
"College basketball will really pick up next (season) because it's getting some show stoppers back out there," said Ron Briscoe, publisher of Southeast Regional Basketball Report. "These guys are some headliners that people really want to see."
Under the NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement, a player cannot enter the draft until one year after his high school class graduates and must be at least 19 years old. That means 7-footer Greg Oden, the marquee player of the Super Five and the consensuses No. 1 player in the class of 2006, won't be the top pick in June's NBA draft. He'll be at Ohio State, despite talent that has led many pro scouts to say he could have been the top pick as a high school junior.
"He's the No. 1 pick this year, last year, next year or four years ago," said Sonny Vaccaro, director of Reebok's grassroots basketball program. "Big people with his kind of agility -- it's unbelievable."
A couple of the other Super Five selections also could have made the jump this season, but Kevin Durant (Texas), Brandan Wright (North Carolina), Spencer Hawes (Washington) and Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) will have to wait.
The C-J talked to coaches, recruiting analysts, NBA scouts and media to select the Super Five.
It marked the first time since 1999 the Super Five didn't have a member going straight to the NBA.
"Oden, Durant, they would probably be top-five picks in the draft this year," said ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale.
One thing Vitale can't guarantee is how long the giddiness will last. Super Five members could jump to the NBA after their freshman years.
"Once a kid steps on a collegiate level, sometimes they can be enticed about the excitement about what it's like to be a student," Vitale said. "Maybe their priorities are a little different … and they stay a lot longer than people think."
C.L. Brown can be reached at (812) 334-0669.
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I can't think of anything Matta could do with Greg that would better prepare him for college ball than banging heads with the players who will be in the Olympic camp. There simply is no one on the OSU roster that can approach that type of challenge in practice.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
link
5/7/06
Standouts get star treatment
Spiece frames Conley, Oden jerseys
By Greg Jones
High school sports editor
It is certainly an honor for players who are still relative infants in their basketball careers.
But then again, Mike Conley and Greg Oden are anything but typical when it comes to basketball in this state.
The Lawrence North pair delivered a state record-tying three straight Class 4A state championships to the school as well as national recognition for themselves.
And each spring and summer, the two would play AAU basketball for Indy Spiece and make frequent trips to the Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne.
For those efforts, the two had their McDonald’s All-American jerseys framed for prosperity and were presented these unique mementos of their high school careers in a ceremony Sunday.
“I never thought it would be in a glass case this early in my career,” Conley said of his No. 11 jersey. “They are recognizing us for playing for Spiece and all the stuff they did for us and what we did for them. This just goes to show you how far our relationship goes.”
The two, along with future Ohio State teammate Daequan Cook (No. 14), were honored as members of the Spiece Wall of Fame before the championship games of the Run ’N Slam Classic.
“It is pretty cool,” Oden said of seeing his No. 50 jersey in a glass case.
“I enjoyed playing in the McDonald’s game; it was a lot of fun. It is an honor.”
Both players spent most of their time before the jersey ceremony signing autographs and talking with basketball fans at one of the largest basketball tournaments Spiece Fieldhouse hosts.
“The freshman, sophomore and last year seemed like it was ‘oh my gosh, it is so long.’ But when it finally comes, you are like ‘dang, that went by so quick,’ ” Oden said of his high school career.
Oden and Conley were champions on almost every court they played on, from Conseco Fieldhouse for the state titles to Las Vegas for the Big Time Tournament for the Spiece team, where they won the open division in 2004 and 2005.
The winning won’t stop in high school, the pair said.
“We don’t have the mindset that we are freshman, and we need to adjust,” Conley said of heading to Ohio State in the fall.
“We want to be able to fit right in and have an impact from Day 1.”
That idea was echoed by Oden, who was named Indiana’s 2005 Mr. Basketball last month.
“Anybody who comes into college, their expectations are high because you always want to be that person who turns a program around and bring a championship to that program,” he said.
Oden, projected to be the top pick in the NBA draft before a rules changed meant he had to stay at least a year in college, is looking to remain at Ohio State for half of his college eligibility.
“I have to get there first,” Oden said. “I will stay longer than two years, I am pretty sure of that. I want to get my education, that’s always first.
“That’s the plan.”
In June, Oden and Conley will pair up again as Indiana All-Stars in the state’s annual two-game series against the Kentucky All-Stars on June 17 and 24.
Also part of the Indiana All-Stars are Huntington North’s Chris Kramer and Homestead’s Grant Leiendecker.
“We have a whole bunch of talent on the team,” Conley said. “They have not gotten as much recognition or TV time as the city schools
(Indianapolis), but there are a lot of players around the state who are well deserving of being in the spotlight like we are. It will be a show, and a lot of people should come out and watch.”
5/7/06
Clint Keller/The Journal Gazette
Bill Hensley, middle, director of Gym Rats Basketball, greets Greg Oden after his jersey was retired Sunday at Spiece Fieldhouse.
Standouts get star treatment
Spiece frames Conley, Oden jerseys
By Greg Jones
High school sports editor
It is certainly an honor for players who are still relative infants in their basketball careers.
But then again, Mike Conley and Greg Oden are anything but typical when it comes to basketball in this state.
The Lawrence North pair delivered a state record-tying three straight Class 4A state championships to the school as well as national recognition for themselves.
And each spring and summer, the two would play AAU basketball for Indy Spiece and make frequent trips to the Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne.
For those efforts, the two had their McDonald’s All-American jerseys framed for prosperity and were presented these unique mementos of their high school careers in a ceremony Sunday.
“I never thought it would be in a glass case this early in my career,” Conley said of his No. 11 jersey. “They are recognizing us for playing for Spiece and all the stuff they did for us and what we did for them. This just goes to show you how far our relationship goes.”
The two, along with future Ohio State teammate Daequan Cook (No. 14), were honored as members of the Spiece Wall of Fame before the championship games of the Run ’N Slam Classic.
“It is pretty cool,” Oden said of seeing his No. 50 jersey in a glass case.
“I enjoyed playing in the McDonald’s game; it was a lot of fun. It is an honor.”
Both players spent most of their time before the jersey ceremony signing autographs and talking with basketball fans at one of the largest basketball tournaments Spiece Fieldhouse hosts.
“The freshman, sophomore and last year seemed like it was ‘oh my gosh, it is so long.’ But when it finally comes, you are like ‘dang, that went by so quick,’ ” Oden said of his high school career.
Oden and Conley were champions on almost every court they played on, from Conseco Fieldhouse for the state titles to Las Vegas for the Big Time Tournament for the Spiece team, where they won the open division in 2004 and 2005.
The winning won’t stop in high school, the pair said.
“We don’t have the mindset that we are freshman, and we need to adjust,” Conley said of heading to Ohio State in the fall.
“We want to be able to fit right in and have an impact from Day 1.”
That idea was echoed by Oden, who was named Indiana’s 2005 Mr. Basketball last month.
“Anybody who comes into college, their expectations are high because you always want to be that person who turns a program around and bring a championship to that program,” he said.
Oden, projected to be the top pick in the NBA draft before a rules changed meant he had to stay at least a year in college, is looking to remain at Ohio State for half of his college eligibility.
“I have to get there first,” Oden said. “I will stay longer than two years, I am pretty sure of that. I want to get my education, that’s always first.
“That’s the plan.”
In June, Oden and Conley will pair up again as Indiana All-Stars in the state’s annual two-game series against the Kentucky All-Stars on June 17 and 24.
Also part of the Indiana All-Stars are Huntington North’s Chris Kramer and Homestead’s Grant Leiendecker.
“We have a whole bunch of talent on the team,” Conley said. “They have not gotten as much recognition or TV time as the city schools
(Indianapolis), but there are a lot of players around the state who are well deserving of being in the spotlight like we are. It will be a show, and a lot of people should come out and watch.”
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“I will stay longer than two years, I am pretty sure of that. I want to get my education, that’s always first."
Kid's surely got his head screwed on right.
Kid's surely got his head screwed on right.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
IndyStar
5/7/06
5/7/06
indianapolis star indiana boys all-stars
Squad's picks understand concept of team
Area players believe well-rounded skills are key to their selections to face Kentucky stars
Curtis White said the news climaxed years of hard work. Andrew Warren said he was on Cloud 9. Vaughn Duggins called it a dream come true.
All-Star schedule
• June 11: Report to training camp, Greencastle.
• June 14: vs. Junior All-Stars, site TBA.
• June 17: vs. Kentucky, Bowling Green, Ky.
• June 20: vs. Junior All-Stars, site TBA.
• June 22: vs. Junior All-Stars, site TBA.
• June 24: vs. Kentucky, Conseco Fieldhouse.
The three Indianapolis-area high school seniors were describing their reactions to phone calls late last week informing the respective Pike, Brebeuf Jesuit and Pendleton Heights basketball standouts of their selection to the 2006 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Stars.
They, along with nine others, including Mike Conley of three-time Class 4A state champion Lawrence North, will join Mr. Basketball Greg Oden of Lawrence North on the roster announced Saturday by All-Star game director Patrick Aikman.
While Oden's spot on the 13-member squad had been assured by his selection as Mr. Basketball and Conley's was expected, White, Warren and Duggins didn't know they had been chosen to play in June's annual home-and-home series against Kentucky until they heard from Aikman.
"I didn't think I had the stats, but I'm glad they realized I was a team player for the state's No. 2 team," said White, who averaged just 13 points as a senior and noted that seeing jerseys of former All-Stars from Pike on a daily basis motivated him throughout his career.
"But I just wanted to win, and I didn't care about stats. I was about playing team ball, and it will be fun playing the same way with the best in the state."
Warren and Duggins are among eight selections who averaged 19 points or more as seniors, but both said they strived to display well-rounded skills in postseason events.
"I thought I did what I was supposed to during the season," said Warren, who averaged 19.4 points. "I was focused on showing other parts of my game such as defense, assists and rebounding in the Top 40 (Workout) and City-County All-Star Game."
Added Duggins, who averaged 26.7 points, best of the All-Stars: "Defense is a priority for me, and I felt that showed at the Top 40 and the North-South (All-Star) Game."
All-Star coach Chris Benedict of Columbia City said he is pleased with the unit. It also includes Jeffersonville's Antonio Ballard, Andrean's Luke Harangody, Bloomington South's Cole Holmstrom, Forest Park's Brandon Hopf, Huntington North's Chris Kramer, Homestead's Grant Leiendecker, Anderson's DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis and Gary West's Jamil Tucker.
The 7-foot Oden is the tallest player, while the 5-10 Holmstrom and 6-1 Conley are the only players shorter than 6-3. Nine of the choices are from Class 4A schools, three are from 3A schools and one (Hopf) is from a 2A school. Five players are headed to major college programs -- Oden and Conley to Ohio State, Harangody to Notre Dame, Kramer to Purdue and Tucker to Virginia.
"We've got good versatility," said Benedict, who will be assisted by New Castle's Steve Bennett and Loogootee's Steve Brett. "Some of the guys are strong in specific areas, and several are capable of multiple things."
Oden, Harangody and Hopf will be counted on to provide a strong inside presence, while Conley, Kramer, Holmstrom and Leiendecker offer an excellent perimeter threat. White, Warren, Duggins, Ballard, Sawyer-Davis and Tucker all possess a variety of inside-outside talents.
"Our first intention will be to get (the ball) to Greg and the other guys in the paint," Benedict said. "But we know Kentucky will try to limit that, so we've got to have guys who can knock down outside shots. We also want to play solid defense, run, handle the ball smoothly and score in transition."
While every All-Star team is special, there already is an added buzz about this one because of Oden and Conley.
"Those two have done such a tremendous job for Lawrence North," Benedict said. "They're team guys who adapted their game to do well in every situation. I'm sure they will be good leaders for this team."
Warren said playing with the heralded duo adds to the honor of being selected.
"This is a great opportunity," Warren said. "This team definitely will go down in history."
Meet the team
PlayerSchoolHt.PPGCollege choiceAntonio BallardJeffersonville6-416.2UndecidedMike ConleyLawrence North6-116.4Ohio StateVaughn DugginsPendleton Heights6-326.7Wright StateLuke HarangodyAndrean6-823.6Notre DameCole HolmstromBloomington South5-1014.2Indiana StateBrandon HopfForest Park6-716.9Southern IndianaChris KramerHuntington North6-319.1PurdueGrant LeiendeckerHomestead6-419.9ButlerGreg OdenLawrence North7-022.1Ohio StateDeJovaun Sawyer-DavisAnderson6-420.2UndecidedJamil TuckerGary West6-822.0VirginiaAndrew WarrenBrebeuf Jesuit6-519.4BradleyCurtis WhitePike6-413.0HowardHead coach: Chris Benedict, Columbia City.
Assistant coaches: Steve Bennett, New Castle; Steve Brett, Loogootee.
Assistant to the coaches: Alex Borst, Purdue.
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Link
5/9
Sports in brief
Oden is player of the year
Greg Oden (Lawrence North High School) was named player of the year on the EA Sports All-America Boys Basketball Team after averaging 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. He led the Wildcats to their third straight Class 4A state title, 45 consecutive victories and a wire-to-wire run atop the Student Sports FAB 50 national rankings.
Oden's teammate Mike Conley also was named to the 20-player first team. The 6-foot-1 guard, who will play with Oden at Ohio State University next season, averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals.
North Central's Eric Gordon was named to the 30-player second team.
The honor teams are selected by the editors of Student Sports.
5/9
Sports in brief
Oden is player of the year
Greg Oden (Lawrence North High School) was named player of the year on the EA Sports All-America Boys Basketball Team after averaging 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. He led the Wildcats to their third straight Class 4A state title, 45 consecutive victories and a wire-to-wire run atop the Student Sports FAB 50 national rankings.
Oden's teammate Mike Conley also was named to the 20-player first team. The 6-foot-1 guard, who will play with Oden at Ohio State University next season, averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals.
North Central's Eric Gordon was named to the 30-player second team.
The honor teams are selected by the editors of Student Sports.
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hoopsfan
Senior
Not sure if anybody on here reads SLAM magazine (my boys get it in the mail), but the most recent edition has Greg on the cover and says (THE NEXT BIG THING" -- the article about him is one of the most accurate portrayals of Greg as I person I have read. Reading how he thinks - if somebody does something better than him i.e. dribbling, shooting, etc. -- he considers that person better than him. That is what drives his work ethic and will help him just continue to improve over the years.
Good read if you can get your hands on it.
Good read if you can get your hands on it.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
LINK
5/20/06
5/20/06
Greg Oden waves green flag to start Friday's practice
Greg Oden
INDIANAPOLIS Indiana high school Mr. Basketball Greg Oden and Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley waved green flags to start Friday's Indy 500 practice.
The seven-foot Oden led Lawrence North to three straight Indiana Class Four-A championships. He and Conley will attend Ohio State in the fall.
Oden says it's the first time he's been to the track while cars were running.
Defending Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon has the top speed so far Friday at 225.379 mph. Vitor Meira is second at 225.269 and Scott Dixon is third at 225.039. So far 31 drivers have been on the track.
The revised schedule of qualifying will start Saturday, weather permitting.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Finally had a chance to read the magazine article and it is just amazing how humble and mature Greg Oden is at this point. He repeatedly talks about how much he needs to improve his game. Only three weeks until he hits campus!
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IrishEnvy
Rookie
Congrats on landing Oden. Just registered today, and while I'm a Notre Dame football fan, I'll be pulling for Greg and Conley while at OSU.
I like literally 5 minutes from Lawrence North and had the chance to see Greg 20 or so times. If he holds true to his statements about wanting to play out his eligibility, he may rewrite some record books as his body continues to mature and he gets into a good weightlifting program.
I like literally 5 minutes from Lawrence North and had the chance to see Greg 20 or so times. If he holds true to his statements about wanting to play out his eligibility, he may rewrite some record books as his body continues to mature and he gets into a good weightlifting program.
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