SF William Buford (Big Ten Frosh of the Year)

[Buckskin86]

OSU men's basketball: Buford benefits from role models
Following father's advice, Jordan's example pay off
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The father of Ohio State freshman William Buford mentioned several times during a recent conversation a term almost as rare in college basketball anymore as the running hook shot.

William Jr. smiled when the term was repeated to him the next day.

"He always made me work on my mid-range (jumper) since I was as young as I can remember," he said.

The mid-range shot largely has been lost in the two decades since the three-point arc was drawn on basketball's floors. Guards come in two varieties now: three-point shooters who float around the perimeter, looking to catch and let fly, and penetrators who can get into the lane and either pass to the shooters or finish at the rim themselves. The best can do both.

A relative few have a pull-up jumper from somewhere between the arc and the rim. Buford has it, and has his father to thank for it.

William Sr., a Basketball Jones whose Toledo home sits across the street from a park with a court, was a Michael Jordan fan and owner of many M.J. videotapes. Buford Jr. was too young to appreciate Jordan's prime with the Chicago Bulls, but not the replays of it. He modeled part of his game after him.

"Everybody says they want to be like Mike," Buford said. "I wouldn't say I tried to do everything like him, but my mid-range, I always wanted my mid-range to be like his.

"Jordan's mid-range game was fantastic, and I guess my dad felt you need a mid-range game to get to another level because anybody can shoot a three."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU men's basketball: Buford benefits from role models

[Buckskin86]

William Buford, 6-5 freshman guard, Ohio State: "He makes the game really easy on the offensive end, but he doesn't have a clue how to play defense. He's got a refined game, can pull up on one dribble, he's getting better at getting to the rim. He'll be good down the road, but I would tell him definitely don't come out."

Blake Griffin and Greg Monroe top NBA scouts' lists - Seth Davis - SI.com

[BB73]

Congrats to William on being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by both the Coaches and the Media. He was also an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection by the Coaches.

Link

All-Freshman Team (Coaches)
Matt Gatens, Iowa
Delvon Roe, Michigan State
William Buford, Ohio State
B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Lewis Jackson, Purdue

Freshman of the Year(Coaches and Media):
William Buford, Ohio State

Honorable Mention
All-Big Ten

Mike Tisdale, Illinois
Jake Kelly, Iowa
Raymar Morgan, Michigan State
Lawrence Westbrook, Minnesota
William Buford, Ohio State
Jon Diebler, Ohio State
Stanley Pringle, Penn State
Tr?von Hughes, Wisconsin

[utgrad73]

Congrats to WB on the Freshman of the year news! We have much to look forward to in the games and years to come.

[briegg]

Originally Posted by utgrad73

Congrats to WB on the Freshman of the year news! We have much to look forward to in the games and years to come.

I sure hope so. "Years" seems pretty optimistic given our recent NBA departure track record and William's potential.

[utgrad73]

Originally Posted by briegg

I sure hope so. "Years" seems pretty optimistic given our recent NBA departure track record and William's potential.

Let's hope for at least two and three would be even better but I'm an optimist.

[LitlBuck]

Props to WB he is becoming one of my favorite Buckeyes. He is just a quiet kid but even when he is sitting on the bench he really gets into the game.

[Buckskin86]

Buford said he, too, has no intention of leaving after one season.

?No worries,? he said.

Posted by Bob Baptist on March 21, 2009 3:31 AM | Permalink

Turner reiterates: ?I?ll be back? (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

[LitlBuck]

That's good to hear. I really enjoy him. However, he does need to learn when to make better decisions in some instances.

[Napoleonbuck]

Buford is so important to keep IMO.

He's just someone that understands the game of basketball and oozes talent. A year in the weight room and he'll be such a better all around player since I think he'll be able to drive and post up smaller players a lot more.

[Buckskin86]

William Buford is in Orlando, Fla., working as a counselor and against fellow college wing players at the Nike-sponsored Vince Carter Skills Academy. DeShaun Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind., part of Ohio State's 2010 recruiting class, is among the high school talent invited to the camp, which runs through Friday.

Updates on Mullens, Buford and Turner (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

Vince Carter Skills Academy 2009 - INSIDE.NIKEBASKETBALL.COM

[OH10]

In terms of team success next year, its vitally important for Buford to work on his all-around game this offseason.

If he and Turner can play well off each other, the Big Ten will have a serious three-headed monster in MSU, Purdue and the Bucks.

[Jake]

I'm really looking forward to seeing Buford, Turner and Diebler this season. If we can improve the efficiency at PG our team could be really fun to watch.

[keeganbrick]

Originally Posted by Jake

I'm really looking forward to seeing Buford, Turner and Diebler this season. If we can improve the efficiency at PG our team could be really fun to watch.

I'd like to just see Turner run the point and have Lighty, Diebs, Buford and Turner all on the court at the same time.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by keeganbrick

I'd like to just see Turner run the point and have Lighty, Diebs, Buford and Turner all on the court at the same time.

not a bad idea....biggest downside is being unable to get Evan the ball in scoring positions.