Notes from the 2005 Reebok ABCD Camp
TEANECK, N.J. – Lute Olson, Tubby Smith, Jay-Z, Jim Calhoun. Jay-Z? What’s he doing here? Sitting courtside in shorts and the white “T” the rapper-turned pop icon chatted it up with camper O.J. Mayo. Just like some athletes, Jay-Z has a shoe deal with Reebok. Just remember, when in doubt, it’s gotta be the shoes.
At this summer’s edition of the Reebok ABCD Camp at Fairleigh Dickinson, O.J. Mayo has drawn comparisons to Jason Kidd, although it is principally agreed upon that Mayo has a much better shooting touch. The rising junior from Cincinnati, along with Greg Oden, were the public studs of the camp.
To just make an observation, it’s incredibly hard to watch these events. Why? All flash and dazzle, no skill and fundamental. For a select few classified as borderline mid-to-high majors, yes it is important for them to showcase more than flare. But whether it’s Reebok, Adidas (Atlanta) or Nike (Indianapolis), the marquee names such as Billy Walker, Mayo and Oden, for two weeks are prima donnas. Only some use this as a talent evaluation period.
There is always a buzz here but the air was particularly crisp this year for a couple of reasons.
First of all, B.J. Armstrong, the Babcock phenomenon (Rob, Pete, Dave), Danny Ferry and the NBA are usually out in full effect. Not this year. The new NBA Collective bargaining agreement will block these kids from declaring for the pros directly out of high school starting now. Secondly, the class of 2006 (and even more so 2007) are held in high regard. Also, some schools such as Syracuse and Connecticut will undergo major reconstruction in the coming years and big recruiting classes will be mandatory in order to remain highly competitive. With that in mind here are a handful of players to look for down the road.
Renardo Sidney
Any kid who concludes nearly every sentence with “sir”, I am a fan of. Sidney, a 6’9″ rising freshman from Mississippi, was all work and no play here at ABCD. It’s hard to call him a sleeper since he’s only 15 years old but he was so overshadowed by Mayo, Walker, Corey Fisher and the like. Sidney plays point guard. Point guard! He’s listed as small forward however in AAU ball, he says he plays PG. “I’m goin’ to Alabama,” said a humble Sidney. “I was there on campus two weeks ago visiting and really like it.”
He may want to keep his options open.
O.J. Mayo
Mayo should go and make a few hundred grand playing in Europe. Or maybe he should go to prep school. If Mayo decides to go to college, the rumor is he’s going to school in a packaged deal with three or possibly four other high major prospects. Whichever school gets lucky, they immediately have to be the favorite to win the national championship. Mayo is the cream of the crop. His shooting and court visibility alone are outstanding. Mayo is a 6’5″ rising junior and was named Reebok ABCD co-Player of the Week. Last year, Mayo was named the ABCD All-Star Game MVP, as a rising sophomore.
Paul Harris
After scoring the first eight points on a variety of moves in the Senior Game, you couldn’t help but wonder: Has Paul Harris cleaned up his academic problems? Two years ago Harris, a 6’5″ shooting guard from Niagara Falls High, had really bad grades. Colleges (i.e. – Syracuse and the rest of the Big East) were turned off. Assuming this is a moot point, the rising senior looked very, very good. A fast break power slam after a 3-point play after a conventional basket-and-the foul, Harris literally dominated. Since I saw Harris last summer in an AAU tourney at Seton Hall, he’s muscled up and his body looks chiseled. If his SAT’s qualify, he can make some team really good.
Will Harris
As Jim Calhoun got ready to leave (possibly back to Hilton Head), Will Harris went to the free throw line. The coach stopped for a second behind the basket in curiosity to see his soon-to-be Husky Harris shoot free throws. Clank. Clank again. I can see it now. UConn opens its season vs. Yale. Harris starts. 40 seconds into the game the Bulldogs take a 6-0 lead. Stomping his feet and unnecessarily screaming Calhoun benches Harris. A common initiation in Storrs.
Harris is definitely a tweener. At 6’5″ he should be playing small forward but his handle is suspect and his shooting is questionable. In the Big East, he’s too small to play at the 3 or 4. During a year when Denham Brown, Rashad Anderson, Ed Nelson are all leaving and possibly Rudy Gay and Marcus Williams as well, Harris’ scholarship offer may have been premature.
Other Notes
Rising senior Wayne Chism (6’8″, Tennessee) was another camper with a big interior force and matched up well against Derrick Caracter (6’9″, NJ) and Durrell Arthur (6’8″, TX). The hops, hustle and unselfishness of Daequan Cook (6’5″, Ohio) were the best in camp. Coming close, though, in the rear view mirror was Cook’s teammate in the Senior Game, Davon Jefferson (6’8″, California).
As always in so many hours on such a beautiful Saturday afternoon there was plenty to talk about here at the Rothman Center. Players from across the country were showcased looking and hoping to find the perfect fit. The NBA is no longer an option. A year or two at IMG or South Kent Prep probably sounds more appealing than ever. One thing is for sure: all these kids have skills.
The new generation of one-year college hoopsters has begun.
