Coaches, foes predict big future for Conley
Lawrence North point guard has skills, savvy to play in NBA one day, they say
By Jeff Rabjohns
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Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta knows his system places a heavy demand on point guards. When he and assistant John Groce look for someone to play that position, they're as picky as any college coaching staff in the country.
The first time they saw Lawrence North's Mike Conley, they were pretty sure they had found their guy. As Conley's high school career progressed, they became certain.
"He has the uncanny ability to see plays two to three seconds ahead of the other guys," Groce said. "He understands time and score and who needs to touch the ball when and where. And it's not like it's regimented; it's almost like it's his natural position.
"There are a lot of talented point guards, and you can say this guy scores this or that, but as far as being truly a point guard, we thought he was the best in the country and we've thought that for a long time."
Conley's high school career concludes Saturday when the 6-1, 175-pound senior and his Lawrence North teammates face Muncie Central in the Class 4A state championship game at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Playing alongside 7-foot center Greg Oden, Conley has spearheaded the Wildcats to a 102-7 record and a chance for three consecutive state titles.
A four-year starter who is headed to Ohio State in the fall, Conley averages 16 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 steals.
"He's phenomenal," Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer said. "He'll be a sensational college player and most likely be a Sunday-type player (in the NBA). He'll have to get more body to take the punishment of the Big Ten and the punishment of any level above that, but he will.
"He has the quickness. He has the savvy. He can do anything you want him to do."
A McDonald's All-American, Conley has drawn comparisons to Chris Paul, the 6-foot point guard who is averaging 16 points per game for the New Orleans Hornets and is a leading candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year.
In a February game against Glenbrook North, the defending Illinois large-school state champion, Conley scored 24 points, leading the opposing coach to call him "the best player we've faced."
"He's so deceptive," Glenbrook North coach Dave Weber said. "He's not real flashy, so people don't talk about him much, but he's going to be a great college player and pro.
"He has all the tools and all the ability to be successful at the next couple of levels."
Two parts of Conley's game often get overlooked because they don't translate into statistics: unselfishness and defense.
Often, Conley guards the opponent's best perimeter player. Over the summer, in both team and individual events, he shut down some the best players in the country.
He held O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 player in the nation in the junior class, to 3-for-13 shooting. He shut down two other highly ranked guards in Oklahoma recruit Scottie Reynolds (one point) and Memphis recruit Willie Kemp (two points).
Conley also had the Lawrence North career steals record after his junior year.
The son of Olympic gold medal-winning triple jumper Mike Conley Sr., Conley is relentless in his routines. He's in the gym every morning by 6:30.
"I learned a lot playing great competition, and our coaches have done a great job working us out in the morning, getting us ready for big games," Conley said. "It's a mixture of learning from our coaches -- getting a work ethic -- and playing the best competition in the U.S.
"Those two things really helped me those four years."
Oden was officially named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year on Wednesday. "Greg has been the No. 1-ranked player in the country all season long. He really is the complete package," Atlanta Tipoff Club president Gary Stokan said in a release.
Call Star reporter Jeff Rabjohns at (317) 444-6183.
