Marty Mac's World: NBA career not just swish-ful thinking for him

JeVale McGee is a 6-foot-11, 235-pound sophomore forward-center at Nevada with potential on top of potential.

He has been around the game, literally, since before he could walk.

"He always had a little backpack and was in a stroller alongside the court," says his mother, Pam McGee, the former Monarch and current girls basketball coach at Sacramento High School.

JeVale was with his mother during stays in Italy, Spain and Brazil. Now, he's attempting to make his mark on a national stage in Reno. The Wolf Pack has become a national power. Two players, Nick Fazekas and Ramon Sessions, were selected in the second round of this year's NBA draft. One day, JeVale McGee's name could be added to the category.

That is, if an NBA team is looking for an athletic, long-armed, skilled and focused big man. McGee certainly has work to do on his game, but then again, he will not turn 20 until January.

McGee has fared well during competition against area professionals this summer working out at Basketball Town in Rancho Cordova. In doing so, McGee has shown a number of skills. The ones that often attract immediate attention are his attempts and ability to dunk anything he gets his hands on around the basket and his desire and ability to change and/or block shots.

His potential has not been lost on Nevada assistant coach David Carter.

"The sky's the limit," Carter said of McGee, who last season as a freshman averaged 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds in 10 minutes per game. His 30 blocked shots were second highest on the team.

"He's very skilled, has good hands and good low-post moves. With his maturity, he has a chance to make a lot of money playing basketball."

Ezeli going to Vandy

Festus Ezeli has decided to attend Vanderbilt and will leave this weekend, he says, to begin orientation.

"It's a place where I can fit," said Ezeli, who will be a pre-med student. "Kevin Stallings, the coach, and the players were real cool, and it's a nice community in Nashville."

Ezeli said he didn't have to say much to his parents about his choice.

"They didn't want to hear anything else after they heard (Vanderbilt) is called the 'Harvard of the South,' " he said.

Ezeli said he plans to become an orthopedic surgeon.

"I plan on staying in this game, and if things didn't work out for me playing, I'll still be around the game," he said.

Good wishes to Cleaves

One of the best dudes ever to put on a Kings uniform is guard Mateen Cleaves, who played with them during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Our hearts go out to Cleaves, whose 66-year-old mom died Aug. 14 in a swimming accident at her home.

"I had been with her in the pool just before it happened," Cleaves said.

Camping at Sac State

The brainchild of Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez and NewFaze developer Allen Warren comes to fruition from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a free baseball camp today.

Warren, who played in the New York Yankees' farm system, is expecting Fernando Viña, Leon Lee, Ricky Jordan and James Mouton among area baseball players. Additionally, Sac State coaches John Smith, Jim Barr, Don Barbara and John Callahan will be on hand to help.

About the writer:

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