McCray: Best Scoring Guard In 2004

With their orange and blue uniforms, Team Breakdown stood out a little among the 64 teams invited to the Super Showcase last week in Orlando, Florida. There weren't a lot of big names on the roster but one particular player raised discussion among the media, fans and coaches in whether he might be the best scoring guard in the country.

Nebraska fans already know a little about him -- Joe McCray, a 6-foot-5 scoring machine from Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina. McCray has already given a commitment to the Nebraska basketball program. The staff of Nebraska had to be very happy in the way McCray played.

"I chose Nebraska because it was a chance to go right in and play," McCray said. "Plus, I think it's a program that can win while I am there."

McCray will have a lot to say about whether Nebraska wins or not during his stay. He is an immediate impact player from the offensive side. McCray has a smooth, quick delivery with his shot from the perimeter. He rarely missed.

"I take a lot of shots outside of the games and in practice," McCray said. "You are always trying to improve your game but all parts of the your game."

McCray posted three games of 30 points or more during the Super Showcase. He helped lead Team Breakdown to the semifinals of the Super Showcase inside the Wide World of Sports complex. Team Breakdown did lose to the eventual champions, the New York Gauchos.

"I have been really working on my ballhandling," McCray said. "I want to open up some space for my jumper or go to the basket more."

McCray is already one of the best offensive players in the 2004 class. He might be the best shooter in this year's class. His range on his jumper is impressive. When he misses a shot, the ball is always around the hole and has a chance to bounce in. McCray will score plenty of points in his career at Nebraska. It wouldn't be surprising if he leads the Big 12 someday in scoring too the way he shoots the ball.

"That's nice," McCray said. "But I want to win at Nebraska. I feel we have a chance to win there. But I am excited about playing in the Big 12 too. It's a great league."