Odom's leaving Las Vegas could improve Rebels

Sporting News, The, August 11, 1997 by Mike DeCourcy

It looks as if those of us who suggested Lamar Odom would do little to make UNLV a better basketball team were wrong about him. He did his part by leaving Las Vegas.

With the NCAA sifting through his academic records, and the likelihood growing that he might be forced to behave like an actual student, Odom was released from his letter of intent by UNLV officials. He has no immediate plans but is considering enrolling in prep school or playing professionally in Europe to prepare for the 1998 NBA draft.

A 6-9 forward from New York City who attended just about every high school you can name, Odom caught the NCAA's attention with his ACT score, which was exceptional for a student ranked near the bottom of his graduating class.

The NCAA probably would have required him to retake the ACT and demonstrate the score he achieved was within his capabilities as a student. Had he been truthful, retaking the test shouldn't have been a concern; Odom was far above the NCAA minimum for freshman eligibility.

But he had no apparent interest in whipping out his No. 2 pencils for another go.

Although he never actually was charged with cheating on his ACT, Odom denied the allegations. He blamed his departure on the fact his "whole career has been put under a microscope by people who want to hurt me."

Odom's decision suggests what sort of player he would have been under pressure.

He was a McDonald's All-American and generally regarded as the No. 2 player in his class behind NBA-bound Tracy McGrady. An extraordinary ballhandler and passer for his size, Odom frequently was compared to Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.

Such talent ordinarily would be considered a great gift to any team, but Odom appeared likely to disrupt the chemistry of a promising Rebels group that includes freshman point guard Edwin "Greedy" Daniels and seniors Tyrone Nesby, a small forward, and Keon Clark, a standout center.

Odom was, by the admission of coach Bill Bayno, "a one-year player." He was headed to UNLV strictly to enhance his value to professional teams.

College basketball does not need such players. Division I ought to be more than a pit stop where a guy picks up one or two low-post moves and notions of how to defend slapped onto his game, without ever learning which way the library is.

It would have been interesting to see just how a 6-9 guy with a debatable shooting touch and limited attention span on defense functioned in a major-college backcourt.

The prospect seemed dubious enough that The Sporting News already determined the Rebels would not be a preseason Top 25 team. Odom's departure might cause that to be revised.

Parting shots

Point guard Charles Williams, the focus of a six-month internal investigation into the Cincinnati program, was released to transfer and is considering Fresno State, Arizona State and Iowa State. For his cooperation, he is expecting a waiver from the NCAA that would permit him to play this season. Without it, his career could be over, because he used a red-shirt season while in junior college.

North Carolina State is looking at possibly playing this season without 6-7 center Damon Thornton, who averaged 7.8 points and 7.0 rebounds as a freshman. Thornton has a form of osteoporosis in his hip, and rest is considered to be the best treatment. ... Nebraska's Tyronn Lue, expected to start at point guard for the U.S. National team in the 22 & Under World Championship, had to leave the squad because of a leg injury and was replaced by Utah's Andre Miller. Lue has an inflammation of a nerve that will require several weeks of rest to heal.

Ohio State guard Neshaun Coleman, Indiana guard Michael Lewis and Iowa forward Ryan Bowen are among those on the Big Ten all-star team that will tour England, France and Belgium from Thursday through August 19. The tour could be a boost for Wisconsin swingman Duany Duany, whose inconsistent season as a resident freshman included a 20-point game against Illinois, but back-to-back goose eggs to close the season.