Hard work and tough love helped turn Cheek into a top recruit (cont.)

Cheek stood out among his peers at the Team USA U-18 trials in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Team USA

Outside Hurley's gym, Cheek is also a Playa -- playing in events with the Paterson, N.J.-based AAU team, Playaz. Founded 12 years ago by former Paterson Catholic coach Jimmy Salmon, the Playaz have blossomed into the Garden State's preeminent AAU program, drawing players from the area's holy trinity of St. Anthony, St. Patrick's and St. Benedict's. "I think there's a level of respect that the top programs have for us being former high school coaches," Salmon says. "What we offer someone of Dominic's level is exposure for more college coaches."

Though the Playaz run few, if any, plays and practice time is limited, Cheek enjoys the freedom that summer ball affords him. Hidden at times by his role as a low-post defender in St. Anthony's structured defenses and the third option in the well-orchestrated offense, Cheek emerges with athleticism and maturity on the AAU scene. Playing among less-disciplined opponents in an open-floor format, he showcases his potential in the packed gyms of recruiting season. During the spring of 2007, his first breakout game was at the Charlie Weber Invitational as a sophomore. Last winter, he scored 23 first-half points on national television before fading into the background of St. Anthony's win over then-national power American Christian of Aston, Pa. "There's a difference now with Dominic," says Playaz coach Jerome Smart, who speaks with Hurley once a week. "He's going to have to play as the man now."

It is the hours in between being a Friar and Playa that Cheek works with Knight and Mulbrow. "You have to keep your feet on the ground for more push," Knights says as Cheek bench presses. "Remember to breathe, too. No use in lifting if you can't breathe."

Fitting in weight workouts with the heavy lifting of spring and summer ball, his bench press is 205 pounds and he does leg presses and curls to further fill his frame. As expectations bulge, he believes his family base is what firmly grounds him. Finishing an upside-down crunch -- like an opossum in a tree -- he looks at the flat-screen television on the wall above.

"Michael Beasley, Dom," Knight says as Beasley appears on the screen sitting courtside at an NBA game. "He's about to make it and get paid."

*****

Bring your game, not your name.

That's the slogan written on the backs of players' jerseys at the IS8 tournament in the South Jamaica section of New York City.

Though preaching team play, those with pre-announced reputations are identified by nicknames. For Cheek, a steal that leads to an open-floor dunk is highlighted by the announcer making an explosion sound into the microphone and saying, "That's Mr. Cheeks."

Playing alongside Cheek with the Playaz on this day, Philadelphia-native Maalik Wayns needs no introduction. A 6-1, 195-pound rising senior point guard from Roman Catholic High, Wayns has already given Villanova a verbal commitment. "I'd like him to come to Villanova with me," says Wayns, who befriended Cheek through the AAU circuit.

Coaches cannot attend IS8 games because the event takes place in a dead evaluation period, but the appearance of Wayns -- wearing his navy blue Villanova shirt and carrying a Villanova backpack -- may prove stronger than any coaching impression. On the court, Wayns, who displays excellent court vision, repeatedly feeds Cheek, lobbing alley oops and serving soft handoffs to him. "I think Jay Wright would be happy with him today," Knight says.

In recruiting, especially the pursuits that take place in New York's metro area, families matter. Rare is the empty seat next to Knight or Muldrow while watching Cheek play. Proximity is power to coaches, and there, strategically positioned next to Cheek's roving relatives at open events, are Division I assistants, exchanging pleasantries and promising to call. "Everybody wants to talk to us," Knight says. "But it's not us they want to talk about."

Already on the short list for the McDonald's All-American team, Cheek -- whose cousin Anthony Perry was a McDonald's honoree and played at Georgetown -- will have his name bandied about until he settles on a school. In between tournaments, mailings continue to pile up as well as the trophies. "We may need another case to contain the trophies," his grandmother says.

Cheek, who took an unofficial visit to Seton Hall last week, says the process has not become overwhelming. When the time is right, he says he will retreat behind closed doors to sift through the pledges and sort out his future. Scattered throughout the family living room, next to Knight's trophies and mementoes of yesteryear are the current signs of hope -- namely a national title ring and a golden basketball signed by the Friars. "I might go away, I might stay close to home," says Cheek, who roomed with Wayns at the Team USA trials. "I'm not closing any doors yet."