An “other” player trying to make the next level
by Matthew Moll
NEW YORK – For some of the players participating in the Jordan Classic, this was not just a chance to be on ESPN and get a new pair of J’s, and compete in an impromptu dunk contest. Rather, this was a chance to prove they belonged at the next level.
Unlike the Andray Blatches and Louis Williams of this invitational, some athletes are hoping to showcase their skills for the college game. Even the Micah Downs and Eric Boatengs of the world did not need this event like Akeem Gooding needed this event.
Gooding showed his stuff in the Jordan Classic regional game while the formerly mentioned players battled on ESPNU. The 6’5″ pogo stick from Christ the King took aim at a spot on a college roster as he is still looking for a home for next season.
“I was mostly a role player this season because that is what my team needed,” said Gooding, whose high school team went undefeated in the regular season. “Main thing for me now is to work on my game, improve where I struggle, and just sit back and wait.”
As it turned out, Gooding’s body fed off of the news of playing in the game that has the great Michael Jordan’s name on it, “I was sick when coach (Bob) Oliva told me I was going to play,” Gooding continued, “I started to feel better when I heard that.”
Gooding’s part as his team’s Mr. Everything netted him 11 points and 13 rebounds per game as well as invitations to play in the in local exhibitions and the divisional all-star game. His designation as a player that does the intangibles befell him to be overshadowed by teammates, particularly junior Larry Davis and Columbia-bound Niko Scott. The yet-to-be-committed guard-forward remains resilient and vows to continue to play.
“I believe my potential will come through once I get plugged into a system” Gooding said. “I went against every player on the Jordan Classic teams and I know I can compete with anyone on the floor.”
Gooding has D-I genes, as his brother Osei Millar began his collegiate career as an Al Skinner product at Boston College, later transferring to Hofstra. “My brother had a few inches on me when he was being recruited, so it doesn’t surprise me that he would get more looks than I have,” Akeem said of his brother. “But Osei believes I am doing the right things: working on my ball handling and being seen and I know I am getting stronger.”
As for whether or not Gooding can handle his brother one-on-one, “All he has to do is back me down, he’s too big now,” joked Gooding.
Although April 16 at Madison Square Garden was not a reincarnation of Gooding’s clutch game winning free-throw performance against city rival Rice or his usual stat-stuffer night, he still managed to impress. Late in the second half, Gooding proved that he could wow a crowd and play above the rim when he received a Rickey Torres pass off the backboard, which he concluded with a thunderous two-handed-elbows-above-the-rim-flush.
No matter how well he plays, the savvy Gooding knows he will be forced to face adversity. “Everyone in New York has their option, on talk shows, on the Internet, so I can take the waiting, hopefully it all pays off.”
For now, the pay off will most likely be a year at prep school or in the junior college ranks, while schools like Toledo, Siena, and San Francisco who have shown interest play a different type of waiting game on Gooding’s improvement. Gooding vows he will continue to toil until he is playing under NCAA lights. He admits, however, there are limitations to what he expects to do.
“I want to play on a big stage, but I know that some conferences are just for those ready to go to the league,” Gooding smiled, “but all I can do is become the two or three and see what happens.”
Optimism is not all Gooding has: he also sports an 85 grade point average and will participate in AAU until he decides on a prep school.
“I’m ready for the challenge.”
The tools are there, the outlooks is true, but all Gooding can do is wait.
