Baltimore Area News

October 30, 2002

Draper Chooses school

By Dave Telep
Date: Oct 30, 2002

The College of Charleston landed itself a point guard. A Baltimore native
will one day take over the reigns for Tom Herrion. Draper Picks Cougars.
Tom Herrion, the first-year head coach at the College of Charleston, has
himself a point guard. "I liked it when I went down there," said Dontaye Draper. "If I go there I'll do good because they have a lot of scorers. They have good wing players
and big men." Draper, a 6-0 point guard from Pawling (NY) Trinity-Pawling, averaged 17 points and 8 assists a game last season for Baltimore (MD) Walbrook. He's a
fifth-year student at Trinity-Pawling. He'll play alongside Pittsburgh commitment Dante Milligan . Draper said that he had offers from Central Connecticut State, Robert
Morris, Siena and Rider. "I didn't really talk to anyone once I went to
Charleston," Draper said. The guard was enamored with Herrion and the program. "He's a nice guy. He's a good coach. They play the up-tempo style like my AAU team." Draper said.

He is the second player from Cecil Kirk (AAU) to give a verbal committment over the past two weeks. If you recall, Josh Boone committed to UConn a few weeks ago.

http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/2/72922.html

October 28, 2002

The leader of Adidas Grassroots Basketball gets recoginized for decades of accomplishments.

"The Last Don"

By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

The man responsible for the most points, rebounds, assists and highlight plays in NBA history is a diabetic and amnesiac who has avoided exercise since injury aborted his college football career 40 years ago. He's hobbling this particular morning, having sprained his ankle a day earlier getting the morning newspaper. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. And that's by people who haven't seen him shuffling unshaven at 9 a.m. in sweatpants and a T-shirt, showing off his Calabasas, Calif., tomato garden like Don Corleone.

No one has more influence on the prep game than Vaccaro.
Those people were going on the bloodhound eyes beneath a balding pate, the wide shoulders above a round belly, the thin lips framing a wide mouth and a cackle straight out of The Sopranos. Throw in the nickname, the Las Vegas family ties, the lifelong battle with certain authority figures, the pretty, blonde wife -- Pam, his second -- 19 years his junior and his way of greeting everyone with a hug or a kiss, and Sonny Vaccaro fits the wise-guy persona down to the last cannoli.

Which is precisely why inner-city kids identify with this old white guy who reads Gandhi, listens to golden oldies, still doesn't eat meat on Fridays and never played organized basketball. It's the same reason Scarface and The Godfather are on every NBA player's favorite-movie list. Any minority who has busted his or her butt to succeed and has suffered that you-must-be-crooked look can relate. Any old Italian guy with lots of friends and money must be shady. A young black kid with fresh hip-hop gear and a nice car must be a drug dealer.

Let's just say it stings a little more than being tagged a yuppie because your Land Rover has a chocolate Lab in the back.

"We are all not created equal," Sonny says. "That's a fallacy perpetuated by The Machine."

Vaccaro rose to power challenging The Machine -- a.k.a. the NCAA -- on behalf of poor, young (mostly black) athletes and their families, and for those scoring at home, the war is over. The NCAA continues to craft new legislation hoping to restrict Sonny and anyone like him from holding sway over young athletes, but the bottom line is that playing in college is no longer a prerequisite for a basketball career. Instead of schools making millions off players who then have to reach the next level for their cut, the money is going directly to the players themselves.

And that means Sonny has won.

It all started in 1965 with a high school all-star game, the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic, which Sonny ran in Pittsburgh, near his hometown of Trafford, Pa. Selection quickly became the most coveted prize a young player with collegiate hopes could get. Thirteen years later, Sonny approached Phil Knight and his fledgling Nike outfit, offering to challenge Converse's dominance of the basketball shoe market. He paid college coaches (who readily accepted) to outfit their teams in Nike apparel. In 1992, a second shoe war erupted when Vaccaro joined adidas, taking his array of events -- his all-star game, his AAU tournament and his weeklong summer camp -- with him.

His legacy includes hooking up Michael Jordan with Nike and Kobe Bryant with adidas, but Sonny's success has always been based on selling himself, not his product. When Jordan took him along on a private jaunt around Europe, he did it as a friend. Sonny never approached Kobe directly, but he moved to New York for six months so he could have Kobe's parents up from Philly every week for Sunday brunch.

Even though Sonny doesn't expect his newest star acquaintance, LeBron James, to sign with either adidas or Arn Tellem (Sonny's favorite agent), Vaccaro is as valued as ever. Reebok made a run at Sonny last July, and adidas subsequently re-upped him as director of sports development for as long as he wants to work. The NBA generations whose hoop livelihoods were boosted by Sonny now extend from Stu Jackson to Wally Walker to Byron Scott to T-Mac. "It's 20-plus years since I played in his game," says Walker, Sonics CEO and part owner. "But if he's on the phone, you pick it up."

His contacts go even beyond basketball -- Ulice Payne, the Milwaukee Brewers' new president, played in Sonny's game too.

Sonny's critics, though, believe that greed-driven adulation of young talent with NBA potential has undermined the game's quality and integrity, and that Sonny opened the door to no-holds-barred recruiting of AAU and college players. Sonny's stock reply: Providing talented players with perks went on long before he had anything to offer. Besides, the players' best interests have always come first for him. "You can't find a kid I've hurt," he says.

Neither the NCAA nor Nike, which charged him with corporate espionage, has been able to make anything stick. The only gripe from players is that Sonny plays favorites. But that's tempered by the acknowledgment that he'll help anyone. During his all-star game in Chicago last March, a scrawny fan came out of the stands and walked away with Sonny's home phone number.

"I was nobody coming out of high school," says Shaquille O'Neal. "But he always treated me nice. The better-known players got everything -- jackets and bags. But I was in a mismatched pair of raggedy shoes, and he made a phone call to get me a pair of size 17s."

The NCAA creates new restrictions every year for Vaccaro's ABCD Camp -- and only loses more ground by doing so. In a camp Q&A session with NCAA representatives this summer, Sonny challenged the byzantine edicts on how and when phone contact may be made between a player's family and a school's basketball staff. The players, who were mainly upset that new rules prohibited them from keeping their camp gear, chanted, "Son-ny! Son-ny!" and piped down only when Vaccaro asked that they show respect for the officials.

"I can't think of anyone who is more out of place in their vocation than me," Sonny says. "But I thank all these kids for my life. They validate me by playing in things I've been involved in."

He fully admits to endorsing Tellem and certain college coaches, but he balks at any inference that he offers enticements. He's quick to note that Kobe got his initial shoe deal even though he selected the William Morris Agency to represent him instead of Tellem. Same with Antoine Walker, who got a fat adidas contract and is not a Tellem client. Sonny's responsibility, as he sees it, is to accurately assess a kid's talent, then help him maximize his value in the basketball marketplace. His power is derived from an uncanny accuracy. For decades now, both players and coaches have sought and trusted his advice because he's told them the truth, sometimes at his own expense.

"Highly recruited players develop a keen sense real early about who is trying to help them and who is trying to get in their pocket," Walker says. "And Sonny has always come off as only wanting to help."

Vaccaro suffered a onetime, three-day memory loss at the French Open eight years ago, a form of amnesia that he now takes medicine to prevent. But he forgets neither favors nor slights. He routinely sends out dozens of birthday, anniversary and wedding presents. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling, once his friend and the best man at his second wedding, because Raveling suggested that Sonny's business wasn't good for basketball -- a position Vaccaro found particularly galling after Raveling, the ex-USC coach, became his Nike counterpart.

Everyone, though, is a friend until proven otherwise. "There's no prejudging on Sonny's part," says Clippers forward Lamar Odom, who signed with Nike even though Sonny got in trouble for buying him clothes while he was in high school. "If you're a C student, he doesn't assume you're dumb. If you need help, he's willing to give it. He treated me like family, and Pam is like a mother to everyone."

That may be the most precious enticement Sonny has in a world of single-parent and broken-home players. All are welcome to eat one of Pam Vaccaro's meals, talk to her about girlfriends or hang on Sonny's couch watching TV. "It's like you're going to see your aunt and uncle," says former Nuggets guard Darrick Martin. "Wherever he goes, I'll follow him until the day I stop playing."

Photos of Kobe and MJ and T-Mac share space on his home office walls with a framed photo of the Rat Pack that includes gambling chips and poker cards from the Sands Casino, as well as a canceled check to a Little League team from Dean Martin. He defiantly embraces his Italian heritage and Las Vegas ties -- his brother is a "consultant to the gaming industry" (i.e., casino oddsmaker) -- despite the innuendo they've fostered. His heroes -- Mario Andretti, Muhammad Ali and Roberto Clemente -- are represented as well, though the photos of Ali and Clemente are different from the rest. Both photos are taken from behind, offering glimpses of the world from a great but misunderstood athlete's perspective.

That's why Sonny is so powerful: No one in basketball has devoted more time to appreciating that view than him.

This article appears in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

October 23, 2002

Gerald Brown and his new team fares well in scrimmage...

By Dave Telep
Date: Oct 23, 2002

MOUTH OF WILSON, Va. - The annual Hargrave-Oak Hill scrimmage was a high-scoring affair. After the smoke cleared, each team had won a twenty minute half but Steve Smith's Warriors came out on top 105-93. Opening Run Fuels Oak Hill
It might have been a pre-season exhibition game, but Steve Smith's Warriors slapped a patented Oak Hill run on Hargrave Military Academy that fueled their 105-93 win. Oak Hill used an 18-0 run to start the game and won the first 20-minute half 54-37. Scrimmage rules said the two teams would play a pair of 20 minute halves and reset the score at the beginning of the second half. Unofficially, we've added up the scores of each half and came out with a winner. A third
20-minute half with a running clock was also played but it gave guys who might not
have gotten much burn in the first two halves a chance to play. In the second half, Hargrave got the fast start and went up on the home team early. Mike Preston's bunch held on to win the half 56-51. Dion Dacons was the high scorer for the day with 30 points. Three Oak Hill players went for 20 or more as Marcus Williams scored 21 and Ivan Harris hit for 20. Junior Isaiah Swann scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds (Oak Hill scorers credited him with 17 points, we charted him for 14). Hargrave was paced my Gerald Brown's 27 points as he was the Tigers most steady offensive option. Ryan Lambert scored 16 points in an impressive afternoon.

Here's a box score from the scrimmage:
Oak Hill 105, Hargrave 93
HARGRAVE - Ouattara 5, Dymond 5, Fofana 2, Agee 3, Crawford 6, Green 8,
Brown 27, Lambert 16, Jones 4, McKinney 11.
OAK HILL - Williams 21, Reynolds 13, Swann 17, Scott 5, Harris 20, Dacons
30, Joynes 0.

http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/2/71590.html

October 15, 2002

Taylor looking forward to upcoming visit.

James Taylor the 6'3 combo guard formally from Dunbar High School who is currently prepping at Laurinburg Prep in North Carolina has set up his first official visit with Hampton University this weekend October 18-20. James notified our coaching staff that Hampton has made him a offer and he is looking forward to the visit. He currently has other schools interested in his services, but no visits have been set. We will keep you updated on his recruiting.

October 15, 2002

Another Select player makes a verbal comittment; after taking second visit, Popoko makes decision!

After just coming back from his second official visit to Wagner, the 6'6 senior wing from McDongh makes his decision. Mike Popoko has decided to attend Stony Brook of the American East Conference. Coach Scott Bowden has confirmed that Mike has called Stony Brook and made it official today. Mike enjoyed his visit to the Long Island school and says that he likes his chances of getting lots of playing time and he also sees that he can get a great education from Stony Brook. Congratulations Popoko!!!

This makes the fifth comittment from the 2002 Baltimore Select players. Will Bowers (Spalding) comitted to Maryland, Gerald Brown (Douglas/ Hargrave) comitted to Providence, Matt Stevenson (Towson Catholic) will be attending Drexel, it appears Tyler Smith (Douglas/Philly Lutheran) will be heading to DePaul and now Mike Popoko to Stony Brook. Congratulations fellas, we will be keeping everyone up to date on other Select players.

October 14, 2002

Popoko takes his second visit!

After receiving an offer from Stony Brook two weeks ago (which led to his visit), Mike decided to take his second official visit to another school that wants his services on the hardwood next year. The 6'6 wing from McDonogh made a visit to Wagner this past weekend (October 12-14). Assistant Coach Jim Meil has been petitioning for Mike's services all summer. He and Coach Scott Bowden of Baltimore Select have been discussing the visit for a few weeks, but the final decision was Mike's. He is being recruited as a wing player for both schools.He has recieved offers from both schools and we will keep you updated on Mike's decision.

October 14, 2002

Abraham sets up two visits!

The 6'9 245 pound senior center from Notre Dame Academy in Virginia, has set up two visits for the month of October. The first one will be this coming weekend (October 18-20) with Youngstown State. Assistant Coach Eric Skeeters has been hot on Abraham since last year.

After that he has a scheduled visit with Rhode Island for the last weekend of the month (October 25-27). Coach Jeff Bowden of Baltimore Select has been very involved with Dennard setting up these visits and is sure that there will be more to come. Dennards main focus will be on his academics and he is waiting to see how he has done on the SAT this past weekend. We will keep you up to date on Dennards recruiting.

October 13, 2002

Smith's going to Conference USA...

After visiting with Depaul last month, Tyler told us here at Baltimore Select that he would let everyone know his decision in a few weeks. After seeing him back home last weekend, Tyler did fill us in on his decision. He has decided to join Conference USA. The Depaul Blue Demons are building a very strong recruiting class with the addition of Smith.

September 17, 2002

Stevenson accepts offer from Bruiser!

After receiving interest from Towson, Drexel, Holy Cross, Lehigh and William & Mary, the decision came down to Towson or Drexel. Matt has informed the staff of Baltimore Select that he has given a verbal commitment to Coach Flint of Drexel. Ranked as high as the #269 best player by Hoopscoop, Drexel will be getting a great player with shooting range, rebounding ability and a BIG heart. Congratulations Big Matt!!!

September 15, 2002

FYI...Test Dates!!

The SAT and ACT dates were given to us and we are going to post them on our schedule section. This information and NCAA clearinghouse information is something that all athletes and their parents should discuss with their schools guidance counselors. ALL JUNIORS SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING THE SAT OR ACT TWICE DURING THERE JUNIOR YEAR. (MID YEAR AND END OF YEAR)

September 13, 2002

James "JT" Taylor getting looks!!

JT Taylor, recently of Dunbar, Baltimore has moved onto a very strong team at Laurinburg Prep. The team looks very strong and JT is down there preparing to increase his SAT score to gain his eligibility for the clearinghouse. Talking with JT and family, we found that his recruiting has picked up over the past few months with Virginia Commonwealth, Hampton University, Youngstown State, UMBC and Towson all interested in talking with JT.

September 10, 2002

Popoko receives offer!

Mike Popoko, a senior power forward at McDonogh has been offered a scholarship to Wagner University in New York. After following Mike throughout the month of July, Head Coach Derrick Wittenburg and Coach Jim Meil made a school visit with Mike, his parents and his high school coach Matt McMulian at McDonogh last week and were impressed with Mike's total package. Mike plans to take an official visit in early October. He also is currently in the process of setting up a visits with othe universities.

September 7, 2002

Smith just concluded a home visit...

Smith just concluded a home visit wth Depaul University and is looking forward to his official visit coming during the weekend of September 20-22. As we get more information on Tyler's recruiting we will be sure to pass it on to you.

September 3, 2002

Updates on player movement, recruiting, visit dates will follow as we get information.

REMINDER....

The Charlie Weber tournament is coming October 4-6, 2002 at the University of Maryland. Coming soon will be tryout dates for athletes that are interested in joining our program. In the mean time, if you would like to contact Baltimore Select you can email or use the phone numbers that are provided on the Program Info page.

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