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7/12/05
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Preps talk camps, colleges, NBA
By Christopher Lawlor, USA TODAY
TEANECK, N.J. — The summer high school basketball circuit was in full swing last week as three events — Reebok ABCD Camp, Nike All-America and Adidas Superstar USA — featured the nation's top boys players.
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</TD><TD class=sidebar vAlign=top width=75>Greg Oden, who attended Reebok ABCD camp last week, drives in the Indiana High School All-Star game.</TD><TD rowSpan=2>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>By Joshua Smith, AP</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Six campers shared their thoughts on issues such as recruiting, the value of summer camps and the NBA age restriction.
Taking part:
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Guard O.J. Mayo, North College Hill (Cincinnati), who was at ABCD.
• Guard Javaris Crittenton, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Adidas.
• Forward Thaddeus Young, Mitchell (Memphis), Adidas.
•
Center Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis), ABCD.
• Guard/forward Wayne Ellington, Episcopal Academy (Merion, Pa.), Adidas.
• Guard Tywon Lawson, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Nike.
Q: Is it necessary to attend one of the top camps to get noticed by colleges?
Crittenton: No doubt. Most of the big schools want to see you play against the best competition.
Ellington: Most definitely. Coaches usually find players they never knew about. Personally, it gave me a lot of recognition when I played well at Adidas a year ago.
Lawson: If you plan on attending a top college you better be there. Camps put you in front of the top Division I coaches, and you're competing against the best players.
Mayo: It's good to play against the top players, but in some cases camps can hurt players. Sometimes there's a point guard that likes to shoot first and that takes away from a shooting guard who's suddenly out of rhythm.
Oden: I think so because it gives you a chance to measure yourself against other players your size. Two years ago I attended Nike camp in Indianapolis, and I was scared to death. I didn't know what to expect, but I had good teammates and that gave me confidence.
Young: More so for the unknown players who have all to gain by performing against the best (players). That's where players make a name.
Q: What do you think about the NBA's (recently adopted) age minimum?
Crittenton: It's unfair, but I understand why it's being done. The NBA is guarding against players that are not ready mentally, physically or spiritually. College (he selected Georgia Tech) will make me a better man.
Ellington: There are two views. First, it's sad for the high schoolers that were ready and capable of making the jump. Then there are the NBA veterans that are trying to hold a job.
Lawson: It's unfair because there are some ready for the NBA. The NBA makes rules for good reasons, but I know a few guys who won't attend college. Instead they'll play a year of prep school ball and then declare. Eventually you'll see someone challenge this in court.
Mayo: At least for me it's not unfair because I want to attend school.
Oden: There's no reason to be mad; it's here and not going away. I know some guys don't like it and those are the same ones that don't like school. They'll probably try the prep school route before jumping to the NBA.
Young: It goes both ways. Some are ready and some aren't (for the NBA). What you will see is more players headed to prep schools for a year before declaring for the draft.
Q: If you could change one thing about recruiting, what would it be?
Crittenton: Coaches need more opportunities to call recruits. As it is, coaches aren't allowed to speak that often with players, but given the opportunity the players could get a better feel for the coach and their program.
Ellington: Leave it alone. It's all good.
Lawson: Lengthen the summer live period for coaches. Give them a full month instead of breaking it up in parts. With more time, coaches and players benefit. Selecting a college is a big decision.
Oden: Change the rules regarding (visits). My two official visits, Ohio State and Wake Forest, went great. I was taken to great restaurants and had a chance to meet with the coaches in a real social setting. When I visited North Carolina, Michigan State and Indiana on unofficial visits, it was different. Basically I sat in the coach's office and talked. It just didn't have the same feel as the official ones.
Young: More restrictions on phone calls. There's this one time of the month when all they do is call ... call ... call. It's crazy, non-stop calls.
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