Blake Griffin OU Sooners

Blake Griffin is a 6-10 Sophomore that plays for the Oklahoma Sooners.  Many college basketball anaylst predict that he will be the Player of the Year in college basketball this season.

As a freshman, Blake Griffin averaged 14.7 points per game along with 9.1 rebounds.  Here is a look back at Blake’s freshman year at OU.

A first-team All-Big 12 selection by league coaches and Associated Press … Named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team … A first-team all-district pick by the USBWA and NABC … Scored in double figures in 21 of his last 25 games … Averaged 14.7 points, 9.1 rebounds (both team highs) and 1.8 assists in 28.4 minutes per contest while shooting a team-high .568 from the field … Ranked ninth in Big 12 in scoring, fourth in rebounding and third in field goal percentage … The last OU true frosh to average as many points and rebounds was Wayman Tisdale in 1983 … Battled knee injuries during conference play and still averaged 15.7 points and 9.7 boards … Averaged 16.9 points, 10.4 boards and 2.2 assists in his 13 full league outings … Two-time Big 12 Player of the Week (Dec. 31 and Jan. 28) and the Jan. 14 Rookie of the Week … Recorded 10 double-doubles (averaged 19.2 points and 13.9 rebounds in those games) … His last seven double-doubles came against NCAA Tournament teams (averaged 20.3 points and 14.7 boards in those seven games) … Scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Feb. 19 overtime win vs. Baylor … Finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds in a two-point loss to Kansas State (Jan. 12) … Grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds in Feb. 16 win at Texas Tech … Missed a game following each of two separate injuries (sprained MCL in left knee five minutes into Jan. 14 game at Kansas and partial tear of medial meniscus in right knee five minutes into March 1 contest vs. Texas A&M) … Averaged team highs of 18.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game during OU’s four-game Labor Day weekend trip to Canada.

NY Streetball Player of the Year Mike Cambell

Mike Campbell aka”Mr. Smooth” and “The Icon,” was named New York City’s Nike Player of the Year before the final game at the Streetball Tournament of Champions on Saturday at Goat Park in Manhattan. Just one thing was missing – another piece of hardware.

The baller, “Mr. Smooth” and “The Icon” put on a performance on the Earl Manigault court that would have made the legend proud, leading the X-Men, who represented West 4th Street, to the championship with a 97-94 overtime win over Money Train that repped the Tri-State Classic.

He took home the Tournament MVP, piling up 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. A few hours earlier, he scored 26 points to lead the X-Men over Bingo’s All-Stars, reppin Dyckman, in the semifinals.

It’s something we set our sights on at the beginning of the summer, starting from the end of last summer,” Campbell said. “To actually come through and do it, it’s a very good feeling.”

Skill is rarely lacking in streetball, but modesty often is. Campbell displayed humility, showing appreciation of the accolades he received before the game.

“It was very special.  New York basketball is at an all-time high.  This summer is one of the best I’ve ever been a part of, as far as all the guys coming home and the young guys showing what they can do,” Campbell said.  “It’s stiff competition.  To be on top out of all those guys is a very overwhelming feeling.  It’s a tribute to the hard work I do to stay on top of my game.”

Campbell, 33, has been playing in the basketball summer leagues for more than 17 years, and his game is continually evolving.  His skill is as deep as a canyon and as diverse as a Rubik’s Cube.  The 6-foot-6 forward and guard combo routinely turns defenders into sympathetic figures.  He’s able to shoot from the outside, put his back to the basket in the post or drive to the hoop.  Congratulations to Mike Campbell.