June 8, 2005

By Jason Owens
CSTV.com

SAN DIEGO -- Greg Oden looks like the real deal. The most hyped high school player since Lebron James helped lead USA's White team to a 112-59 win over China at Tuesday's opening round of the International Sports Invitational, a showcase of some of the nation's best high school players and most coveted college recruits in international competition.

In 26 minutes, the 6-11 center from Ohio logged 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, six rebounds and six blocks -- not to mention that he altered every inside shot that came his way. But if ever a performance like that could ever be overlooked, it was on Tuesday. That's because the eyes in San Diego State's Peterson Gym were all focused on Bill Walker, a sophomore forward out of Cincinnati.

The 6-6 swingman first drew oohhs and aahhs with a thundering slam to put Team USA up 4-0. Eight dunks, 21 points and six rebounds later, he had caught everyone's attention, including the NBA scouts sitting in the stands. And these weren't rinky-dink easy fast-break dunks. Walker went through, over and by defenders on his way to shooting 10-of-12 from the field, including a 3-pointer that found nothing but net. And he didn't shy away from playing a little defense either.

So where does this sophomore phenom plan to take his talents after high school? It's anyone's guess right now, as he has a long list of major programs in mind. And he says the powder blue shorts he wears underneath his game shorts for every game are no indication of his intentions.

"When I was younger, I used to read up on Michael Jordan," Walker said. "He always had a pair of baby-blue shorts before he played in his NBA games. Everybody wants to be like Mike."

While North Carolina is on his list, that list is a long one that also includes Cincinnati, West Virginia, Wake Forest, Louisville, Texas and UConn. And of course, there's always the possibility of jumping directly to the NBA, as his ISI teammate Oden is expected to do.

But Oden and Walker weren't the only players to shine on Tuesday.

Kyle Singler, a 6-8 sophomore out of Oregon, was the sharp-shooter of the night, scoring 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting including 3-of-5 from behind the arc. He displayed a combination of size and soft touch that translates well in the college game. Think Mike Dunleavy and Kyle Korver.

Like Walker, Singler has a long list of potential suitors that includes Arizona, Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Stanford, UCLA and Washington.

Darrell Arthur, a junior out of Texas, also had an impressive showing with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. The 6-9 power forward has a much shorter list than his sophomore teammates, saying Colorado, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas all stand on equal footing.

"I'm wide open right now," he said. "I'm going to narrow it down in the fall. I'll probably make my decision late."

The Blue team, the second of three USA teams competing this week, had a little more trouble disposing of a tough Canada team than the White team did with China. They had trouble finding good shots and posted a 37.3 percent clip from the field, but held Canada at bay for an 82-64 win.

To the certain excitement of Duke fans, 2006 Blue Devil commitment Gerald Henderson, Jr. led the way. The 6-5 guard spent most of the first half on the free throw line, where he shot 7-for-7. He got a little more daylight from the field in the second half and finished with a team-high 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

Unlike many of his class of '06 counterparts, Henderson can rest easy in the fall knowing that his decision is already made.

"It's great," Henderson said. "I get the whole process out of the way. I don't have to worry about letters or phone calls any more. This year I can really just focus on academics and having fun out on the court."

That's a peace of mind that Oden won't know any time soon, as he and the rest of the basketball world wait to see if the NBA passes a 20-year-old age minimum that would keep him out of the professional ranks a little while longer. If it does pass, either Ohio State, Michigan State or Wake Forest will be the benefit of the nation's prize recruit.

Jason Owens is an editor for CSTV.com and lucky enough to get to watch basketball all week.