Aquille Carr, Overseas Pros and Major League Basketball
If you’re surprised Aquille Carr is skipping college to play pro basketball overseas, you shouldn’t be. Reports that an Italian club had offered him $750,000 first surfaced in 2011, not long after the 5-foot-6 dynamo used a dazzling array of crossovers, stutter-steps, blind passes and dunks (yes, dunks!) to become a viral video sensation and … Read more
NCAA, Pay-for-play and the search for sympathetic victims
Monday night the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team vanquished the Kansas Jayhawks to win their first national championship in 14 years and tie together several compelling subplots. There’s the one about high-profile coach John Calipari delivering an NCAA crown to long-suffering fans who expect Sweet 16 appearances like the rest of us expect taxes. And … Read more
Buzz Bissinger, the NBA and False Friends
When I enrolled in Spanish class two years ago my instructor warned me about “false friends” — words that sound familiar to English speakers but actually mean something different and potentially embarrassing en Español. Exitado was one of them. An anglo looks at that word and thinks it means “excited,” but in many parts of Mexico, … Read more
October 2006 — Miracle Man on the Mend
In the aftermath of the shooting at Dueuesne University, Toronto’s Sam Ashaolu faces an uncertain future, but he’s facing it with family love and support, writes Morgan Campbell. 14 October 2006 - Toronto Star PITTSBURGH – On a recent trip home to Toronto, John Ashaolu downloaded 36 Jay-Z tracks to his iPod. He knew how much … Read more
April 2006: Reaching Out to the Unreachable
29 April 2006 - Toronto Star By Morgan Campbell SIMCOE, ONT. – Rayshawn’s flashing those fast hands again, poking the ball from his buddy Kareem at the top of the key, then exploding toward the other hoop. Before he came to the Sprucedale Youth Centre, the only thing quicker than Rayshawn’s hands was his temper. Anyone … Read more
Long Shots Chapter I: The Holy Wars
Tensions rise between the teams and the teammates as the Jean Vanier Mavericks take on the Saints and Mother Teresa Scarborough high school players embark on long, difficult journey to an Ontario championship, writes Morgan Campbell. 31 May 2003 - Toronto Star The Jean Vanier Mavericks are one of the best high school basketball teams in … Read more
Long Shots Chapter II: On a Cold Night…
1 June 2003 – Toronto Star By Morgan Campbell JANUARY 10 The change room door swings open and in walks Oliver Prince to announce an important bit of news. He has the skinny on tonight’s opponent, the North Albion Cougars. “They’re suss,” the 6-foot-5, 215-pound star basketball player tells his team. “Kamar Burke is gonna … Read more
Long Shots Chapter III: Short Sight, Tall Plans
At 5-foot-7, Nedrie Simmons is the Vanier Mavericks’ smallest player, and perhaps the most reckless. But he’s head and shoulders above when it comes to confidence in his talent, writes Morgan Campbell. 2 June 2003 - Toronto Star Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 Nedrie Simmons launches jump shots alone in the gym at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary … Read more
Long Shots Chapter IV: Chance of a Lifetime
Andrew Lomond gets his opportunity to impress at an audition for a U.S. college recruiter. The question is, can he become the post player the coaches want, reports Morgan Campbell. 3 June 2003 - Toronto Star Jan. 27, 2003 On a frigid winter night, about 20 young men gather at the Stanley Park Community Centre for some … Read more
Long Shots Chapter V: The Angry Young Prince
National Newspaper Award Long Shots — Part 5 of 8 Mavericks star Oliver’s toughest opponent is the one he meets at every game: his own rage. A thorny medical history buys him some slack from his coach but, as Morgan Campbell writes, toleration can only go so far. 4 June 2003 - Toronto Star Sunday, Feb. … Read more
