| |
Earning his rep Wallace lives up to billing at adidas ABCD camp
By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI TEANECK, N.J. -- For observers who were disappointed by Gerald Wallace's opening performance at the 1999 adidas ABCD camp Wednesday afternoon, consider this -- they're lucky he can even play at all. The 6-foot-6 Wallace, considered by many to be the top overall prospect in the Class of 2000, pulled one muscle in his back and bruised two others in an AAU tournament in Atlanta late last month. Smashed to the ground by an opposing rebounder, Wallace was taken by ambulance to a hospital, and stayed off his feet for more than a week after returning home to Childersburg, Ala. "I really shouldn't be letting him play [at ABCD]," said his AAU Alabama Ice coach, Kenneth Harris, who accompanied Wallace everywhere he went Thursday making sure he didn't strain himself. "But, he wanted to play. He's played in a game with a concussion before." The hobbled Wallace was limited to six points his first game, drawing concern from those not informed of his condition. That is, until he sprang for 23 points and three blocks in a game Wednesday night and 22 points Thursday, shooting 20 of 24 from the field the latter two games. Revered for his unmatched leaping ability, Wallace dazzled onlookers in his game Thursday night with a series of lightning-quick drives to the basket on offense. Wallace's rise to the top of recruiting charts draws many parallels to those of Toronto Raptor Tracy McGrady three years ago. McGrady was an unknown until the summer shoe camps, where his stock rose so high he was an NBA first-round pick the following summer. Wallace, too, was unknown outside the South, where he put up big numbers against inferior competition, until his stunning performance Memorial Day weekend at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions. It was there coaches first got to see his explosive drive to the basket, long-range shooting ability and thunderous dunks. "We got a tip on him in the spring," said Brick Oettinger, author of Prepstars' Recruiter's Handbook. "One of my sources told me he was like [Auburn senior] Chris Porter with a jump shot. That caught my attention." Perhaps because of the parallels to McGrady, a widespread rumor began that Wallace was headed straight to the NBA after his senior year of high school. Whatever the source, Wallace denies that possibility. "I'm only thinking about college right now," said Wallace, who is an academic qualifier. "I have to narrow my college choices down." His list of choices right now include Alabama, Auburn, UAB, Tennessee, Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State and Connecticut. But, says Harris, "It will be hard to get him away from the state of Alabama. He has such a great family and so many good people around him." Indeed, it's Wallace's mother, Alice, who may be the biggest factor in his decision. After all, she's the one that often keeps him on the court at a nearby park until 3 or 4 a.m. practicing free throws. She's also his biggest critic. "To y'all, I could have a perfect game, but to her, there would still be something I need to work on." Two other possible knocks on Wallace's game are he sometimes looks lackadaisical on the court, and he admittedly doesn't watch much college or pro ball. Wallace has a logical explanation for both. "I'd rather be playing [than watching]," he said. "I'll catch the highlights, but I can't stand to watch four quarters of a game if I'm not even playing a quarter." As for his demeanor on the court, it's easy to perceive lethargy when Wallace often plays so effortlessly. "I've always tried to relax before a game, so I feel no pressure," said Wallace, who labeled the star-studded crowd of coaches Thursday as "just another audience." While it's safe to label Wallace's "favorites" at this point as in-state powers Alabama, Auburn and UAB, he and Harris did speak extensively with North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge after the Gibbons tournament. One good sign for Tar Heels fans -- his current, braided hair-style is a tribute to alumnus Michael Jordan. "I've only had hair since he retired," said Wallace, "and it will stay this way until he comes out of retirement." And like his idol Jordan, Wallace has the potential to one day tear up professional basketball. Said Oettinger: "He's a whole lot better prospect, in my opinion, than Jonathan Bender or Leon Smith or Al Harrington, all of whom were first-round picks."
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
