New kid on the block
By Eric BranchSummer Bruin Staff
After sizing up his opponent, anticipating the shot and timing the block,
Jelani McCoy always has a split second to make a decision before swatting away another basketball.
The first option is more glamorous and appealing -
throw the ball somewhere in the second deck off the popcorn stand. Unfortunately, it's also a pointless display of machoism - a waste of one of
basketball's finest art forms. It's like sticking the Mona Lisa in Cleveland.
The 6-foot-11-inch McCoy, UCLA's top incoming recruit and the most prolific
shot blocker in San Diego County history, understands this. That's why he will leave his ego aside for that split second and merely tip the ball to a
teammate. It's a practice which requires admitted restraint.
"It's really hard sometimes when I get all my adrenaline pumping," McCoy said. "Sometimes you
just want to throw that ball in the stands and glare at the guy or something. But I¹ve worked hard and become a lot more disciplined in my shot blocking.
I'm now satisfied just to tip it and start a fast break." McCoy had plenty of practice developing his skills in high school. Along with averaging 25.8
points a game, he also averaged 8.1 blocks a contest, including 19 in one game. He finished with a career total of 718 blocks.
"I'd rather block a shot
than do anything else on the court even dunking," McCoy said. "It's a great feeling when a guy makes a sweet move on me and I still come back and swat
him. By the end of the game I want guys thinking, 'Man I can¹t do anything against this guy.'"
Playing at tiny St. Augustine High School, few opponents did anything against McCoy. That lack of competition had some questioning the hype. However, skeptics were silenced after the McDonald¹s All-American game
in April which featured the top high school seniors in the nation. McCoy posted 13 points, 12 on thunderous dunks, along with seven rebounds and five
assists.
"I never really doubted my ability to compete against better competition," McCoy said. "Games like that give me added confidence. Before that I
played against guys like Kevin Garnett at different camps during the year.
"I remember at this camp in Las Vegas he kicked my butt it was embarrassing.
But when we met again in Chicago, I outplayed him it was sweet. So I know I'm ready for the college game."
UCLA assistant coach Lorenzo Romar agrees.
"He is certainly talented enough to play as a freshman, but how much he does will depend on how he plays," Romar said. "He's only 17, but basketball-wise
he's very mature. He¹s a real student he likes to study his opponents. But he also has great instincts. His timing is uncanny."
Although McCoy has an
obvious respect for his sport, he isn't a straight arrow on the court. During high school, some of his on-court gyrations drew criticism from opposing
coaches and players.
At the Say No Classic summer league, his play has been marked by primal screams after dunks and general clowning. However, even mild
mannered J.R. Henderson, a teammate of McCoy's this summer, finds the routine harmless.
"He's a very outgoing guy," Henderson said. "He's got a lot of
antics out on the court, like his screaming when he dunks on someone. But he's just having fun he just loves playing basketball."
Besides personality,
McCoy adds another dimension to the Bruins quickness.
"He'll help us cover up some of our deficiencies," UCLA assistant coach Steve Lavin said. "When we
went to the full-court press last year we were somewhat limited with George (Zidek) back there. Now if they break through our press they'll be staring at
a guy with more speed and quickness."
While McCoy may have Zidek beat in the athletic department, he needs to emulate the graduated senior's work ethic.
"Offensively Jelani has to develop an attitude," Romar said. "Right now he doesn't have the mentality he needs. He has to work on going to the basket more
aggressively. He's not a real back-to-the-basket Shaquille (O'Neal) type so he needs to practice his perimeter shot. But with time all that will come. I'm
not concerned about Jelani."
After swatting down prep-level foes like flies, incoming freshman Jelani McCoy aims to elevate his game to the next level
Photos by Steve Kim/DB