The Next Michael Jordan??!!

[Vinny Natale <vnatale@map.com>]

Just saw Providence upset Villanova at Villanova!

Jamel Thomas, Providence's senior 6' 6" forward, scored 38 points, his
career high.  He only had 8 points at the half-time.  During the overtime
he scored his team's first 11 points during the first 4 1/2 minutes of the
five minute overtime!

He was a pre-season John Wooden Player of the Year nominee.  He leads the
Big East in scoring.  Tonight he had 9 rebounds.  He shoots the 3-pointer.
He is a high percentage free throw shooter.  He can go under the basket and
rebound and put it up.  He drives.  During the overtime he made a Michael
Jordanesque shot.  The announcers said that no one else in the Big East
even attempts that shot.

He plays on an undersized (no starter is over 6' 6") , under offense
Providence team so that he oftentimes get double-teamed and triple-teamed.
In spite of that tonight was his 59th consecutive game of scoring in double
figures.  The announcers said that when he gets to the NBA he will have a
lot more help which will free him up.  They see him as a shooting guard at
the NBA level.

The next Michael Jordan??  (or maybe the next Antoine Walker?)







Vinny
vnatale@map.com