My All-American Team 08-09
So last summer, I did a dream team of last year’s college athletes, so I figure I’ll do one for this year.
Well, at the 1, I’d start Ty Lawson of North Carolina. He makes his team go. He keeps that team at an up-tempo pace. He averaged 16 points a game, 6.5 assists per game, and a 3.4/1 assist to turnover ratio. My second string would probably be either Sharron Collins of Kansas or Tyreke Evans of Memphis. Collins was the undisputed leader of the team, but Evans completely changed his team. Evans averaged 16.6 ppg, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game. But with his size was able to alter offenses.
At the 2, I’d start Nick Calathes of Florida. After watching him, I feel that this would be a more natural position for him. With a point guard to get into the teeth of the defense, he would be an even deadlier option to score. He averaged 17.4 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.4 rpg, but shot 49% from the field and 40% from three. He even had a triple double this year. My sub would be, no question Chris Hall from here at Lynn. I was tempted to start him, but feel that with this team, he would be an even threat coming off the bench. He was the unquestioned leader for our team this year. Even after leading the conference in scoring this year, I still feel that he will improve next year in his all-around game. If I have a third 2 guard, I’d put Stephan Curry of Davidson. Even with teams sending their best defender, or even two defenders, at him, he still averaged almost 29 ppg.
At the 3, I’d want to start Terrance Williams of Louisville. He is a tremedous athlete who is looking to lead his team to a national championship. He averages about 5 assists per game and 13 points per game. He does a great job of setting the tempo on defense for his team. My 2nd stringer would be Sam Young of Pittsburgh. He is an underrated player with out of the gym athleticism. He plays tremedous defense, and is considered the third option (in my opinion) to DeJuan Blair and Lavance Fields. Young has a highlight reel as long as most game tapes.
My 4 man would have to be Blake Griffin. He won the AP Player of the Year. He was probably one of the most vital players to Oklahoma’s success this year. He averaged a double double, with 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, which led the nation. Griffin took cheap shots and everything that other teams through at him. TylerHansbrough of North Carolina would be my back up. He is possibly one of the most intense players to play the game. This year he set the ACC career scoring record. He also took everything other teams threw at him.
My 5 man would be DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh. He was a beast down low for the Panthers. He went straight at one of the most intimidating bigs in UCONN’s Hasheem Thabeet. He averaged 15.7 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game. He is just a man-beast. My backup would be Thabeet. He changes what teams do by his 7′3″ size and tremendous shot blocking ability. He was very raw when he got to UCONN and Coach Calhoun has done a great job making him one of the best bigs in the whole country.
