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Monday, February 23, 2009
Favors: “Next year we should turn it around”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Perhaps because this basketball season has been so dismal, I decided to drive to Stockbridge on Saturday night and watch Derrick Favors. It was my first time seeing him play in person.
The 6-9, 235-pound Favors is the nation’s No. 1 recruit, according to Scout.com. He committed to Tech last month but cannot sign his letter of intent until the signing period that starts April 15. Last night he reiterated that he’s “100 percent” committed to Tech.
Favors’ South Atlanta Hornets were taking on Spalding in the Region 4-AAA championship game. It was a total mismatch, the Hornets winning 104-45.
In 2 and 1/2 quarters, Favors had 32 points on 13-of-17 shooting (including four spectacular dunks), 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. He hit 6 of 8 free throws. Everyone in the crowd knew they were seeing someone special.
It was not exactly a good measuring stick, as Spalding had no one over 6-foot-5. But a few things came through clearly. For a powerful big man, Favors looked quite comfortable shooting from 15 feet and beyond. He’s a pretty good ballhandler and an excellent passer.
One time he rebounded, led the break, gave the ball up and got it back for a two-handed reverse jam. A couple other times he drove and dished for layups.
When Favors missed a free throw and Spalding didn’t box out, the ball bounced toward him and he simply rose up and dunked. No dribble — just scoop and dunk.
Favors anticipated how shots would come off the rim and positioned himself for tip-ins, or, in one instance, a vicious one-hand slam.
Remarkably, this was South Atlanta’s first region title with Favors. And his team has gone out in the first round of state the last three years. The Hornets were in a tougher region then, and they had to go on the road in the state tournament every time. They’ll be at home for two rounds this year, assuming they advance. Favors, who has won an AAU national title, said he’s determined to win a state title.
Whenever the playoff run ends, Favor will turn his attention to three all-star games: the Jordan Brand Classic in New York City, the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland and the McDonald’s All American Game in Miami.
He’s done with AAU ball. Favors said he’ll work out at his school, and then at Tech, with the goal of getting stronger “for ACC ball.” Eventually he’d like to play at 250 pounds.
I asked him what he thought of Tech’s terrible season. He said he couldn’t explain it but added, “Next year we should turn it around.”
Favors believes he and Gani Lawal would play well together, and hopes Lawal returns for his junior year.
Favors comes across as soft-spoken, almost a gentle giant. His coach, Michael Reddick, said that’s not an issue on the court.
“I think he has the right temperament,” Reddick said. “He doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. He can have a mean streak in him if he needs to, but he’s also a gentleman. He’ll help guys up. I think he’s well-balanced, exactly where he needs to be attitude-wise.”
To watch highlights of Favors, check out these pages at MaxPreps and Scout.
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