Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to interview three of the top high school players/incoming college basketball freshmen in the nation right before they had the opportunity to meet Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose, a McDonald’s All-American in 2007.
When I brought up Wayne Blackshear’s 56 points in one game, Blackshear’s fellow McDonald’s All-Americans Anthony Davis and Branden Dawson were in reverence and astonishment of his scoring achievement.
“My coach said I need a big performance this year, to try to put me up there,” Blackshear said about his 56 point outburst.
“So I was just working out that whole week putting a lot of shots up, and that game I played, I got to the free throw line a lot, and I couldn’t miss, so I was really focused.”
Blackshear patterns his game after Carmelo Anthony, rumored to be going to the Nets today and next year will be taking his talents to Louisville, to ball for Rick Pitino. Blackshear talked about his decision:
“I based mine on the relationship with the coaches and even my teammates. You got to feel comfortable where you’re going. They showed me a lot of love when I went down there, so that was big to me,” Blackshear said.
He also talked about the honor of being selected for the prestigious all-star game.
“A lot of people don’t get picked for this. It just shows how much all the hard work paid off.”
Blackshear has a seven foot wingspan, speed and quickness that will make him dangerous in transition at the next level. According to the bottom line at his ESPN Recruiting Profile:
“Blackshear is a strong and physical small forward that can get to the rim and score pretty well inside the arc in addition to being excellent in transition. He is a very good athlete and as his jumper improves his scoring will as well. His body is college ready and his toughness and competitiveness is very evident.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He is also a regular contributor to the Tribune’s Chicago Now network, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
He does a weekly radio segment on Chicagoland Sports Radio.com and Cleveland.com
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