Basketball from a fans perspective 

Black History Month 
The story remained a secret for many years after it occurred. February is Black History Month and this is an account few know today and even fewer in 1944.  World War II raged throughout most of the world.  While fighting for democracy overseas on the American home front segregation was the law of the land especially in the Deep South, no mixing of the races period. Separate water fountains, restroom facilities, eating and hotel accommodations. Basketball would change race in the south at least for a brief time, North Carolina College for Negros (North Carolina Central University) had an outstanding team in 1944.  The basketball team of all-white Duke University was not very good however the two schools decided to play one another.  

It was never made clear as to who decided and when.  That portion of the story is lost in the telling of the narrative; individuals from the teams met secretly and discussed playing the game. This was done in order to not draw attention to the game if word got out arrests or even something worst might occur. The game was played March 12, 1944 on a Sunday; it was timed to ensure the majority of the police force in Durham was in church at the time.  The short version North Carolina College beat Duke 88-44 and later an even stranger occurrence.  After the teams rested and talked they played shirts against skins dividing the teams between white and black players.  The individuals in the game coaches and a small gathering of fans were the only witnesses to this American story which remained largely buried in history until 1996.

West (World)
A number of might believe I don’t like Russell Westbrook, far from it I believe he’s guilty of trying too hard.  Did you realize at 6-3 he’s barely outside the Top 10 rebounders in the NBA, Westbrook is tied for 11th place with 10.6 rebounds a game?  An acquaintance informed me “He’s got to do everything because he’s got no help.”  Okay I can agree with that statement to a point but I can also name James Harden, Serge Ibaka, and Kevin Durant.  

All three were once drafted by the Thunder franchise at a point in time and all play elsewhere now. The “experts” claim Thunder GM Sam Presti is a shrewd evaluator of draft picks and trades. Presti lets see some of your magic, get Westbrook help so it’s no longer necessary for him to be 95% of the Thunder offense.  In the Spurs game Westbrook was 0-4 in the 4th quarter finishing with 37 points.  Westbrook shot 7-17 for the match 41% from the floor.  It’s my belief a portion of the poor shooting is bad shots and being physically worn down in 4th quarters.   

Best of the Best
The Kansas City Metro population is smaller than other portions of the nation.  Despite our smaller numbers this area has managed to produce a significant number of talented prep basketball players over the years. Several continued upward enhancing their game as their talent and skill allowed them to play in the NBA, ABA and even the NFL.  My friend Alex suggested I use 1960 as my jump off point; that was the time-frame prep basketball began an explosion in talent and competition in the metro.  After a great deal of research and consultation with several I assembled two teams along with an honorable mention, the players are not listed in any order of importance except the name in bold print.  The names might be unfamiliar to many of you however KC Metro folks will recognize the names.  I placed Alec Burks currently playing for the Jazz but left off his dad Stevie Burks who played for the Sonics.        

First Team
Jon Sunvold-Blue Springs, Mizzou, NBA
Warren Jabali-Central HS, Wichita State, ABA
Lucius Allen-Wyandotte HS, UCLA, NBA
Anthony Peeler-Paseo HS, Mizzou, NBA
Steve Harris-Blue Springs HS, Tulsa, NBA
Derek Hood-Central HS, Arkansas
Jevon Crudup-Raytown South HS, Mizzou
Jaron Rush-Pembroke, UCLA
Kareem Rush-Pembroke, Mizzou, NBA
Clay Johnson-Manuel HS, Mzzou, NBA
Richard Dumas-Sumner HS, Northeastern State (OK), ABA
Marcus Walker-O’Hara HS, Colorado State

Second Team
Alec Burks-Grandview HS, Colorado, NBA
Maurice King-R.T. Coles HS, Kansas University, NBA
Malvin Warrick-Lincoln, Iowa State
Tyronn Lue-Raytown HS, Nebraska, NBA
Martinez Denmon-Lincoln, Iowa State, NBA
Larry Drew-Wyandotte HS, Mizzou, NBA
Leonard Gray-Sumner HS, Long Beach State, NBA
Bruce Sloan- Center HS, Kansas, NBA 
Rick Allison-Center HS, Rockhurst
Mick Allison-Center HS, Rockhurst
Claude Hardy-Manuel HS, Wichita State, ABA 
Larry Frevert-Raytown South, TCU

Honorable Mention
Marcus Denmon-Hogan Prep, Mizzou
Jackie Gilbert-Lincoln HS, Mizzou
Brandon Rush-Westport HS, NBA
Vernon Vanoy-Lincoln HS, Kansas, NFL
Art Strozier-Manuel HS, Kansas State, NFL

There you have it the 29 best prep players ever there are two exceptions, Maurice King and Jackie Gilbert both played high school ball before 1960.  One athlete was a teammate of Wilt Chamberlain (King) while another played alongside Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Allen).  Another teamed with Kevin Garnett and Byron Scott during his NBA career (Peeler).  Although the list is complete several players were omitted which could have been included.  Note: Warren Jabali‘s name is in bold for a reason.  We can debate who was the best however an unscientific survey selected him as the best ever.  How good was Jabali you ask?  Consider this tidbit of information we are in a discussion of prep talent however Jabali’s been nominated in the Direct-Elect category Veterans Committee Nominations for the Naismith Hall of Fame.  This list should not be considered complete, I know for a fact it will cause debates in numerous gatherings across the metro.