McGhee wants to keep playing

Vinnie McGhee, McClymonds' (Oakland, Calif.) 5-foot-11 guard, isn't yet finished with basketball. Though he may be finished playing in high school, the 165-pound senior is ready to take his game to the next level. While several colleges have shown interest, none have offered a scholarship. But that could change soon.

Schools showing interest include Pacific, UNLV, San Francisco (USF), Fullerton, Stanford, Idaho, Idaho State, Boise State, Sacramento State, and LMU. McGhee says he is likely to end up at UNLV, Pacific or USF.

With a 3.4 GPA and qualifying SAT score, academics are in order. McGhee led McClymonds in scoring at 16 points per game and that is on a team that advanced to the state final game. McClymonds coach Dwight Nathaniel points out, "Vinnie probably led us in scoring in every game that he played in except two or three." (McGhee missed four games this season.)

There are good qualities about each of the three schools that are highest on his list. McGhee talks about why he might want to attend each:

Pacific: "My mom wants me to go there. They run, they have a fast paced offense."

UNLV: "It seems like guards get open looks there. They push it up the court."

USF: "Armondo and Antonio are there." (Armando Suratt is a senior at USF, and played his high school ball at Oakland Tech. Antonio Kellogg, who played at McClymonds is a sophomore at USF)

Still, McGhee says he is willing to pick up and move anywhere. "If it's a Division I school and they want me, I'm willing to go anywhere, honestly."

At 5-foot-11, McGhee would most likely play the point in college. He explains his take on whether he is a point guard or shooting guard. "When I played this year for Mack, I became more of a scorer. But in the summertime, I try to be more of a point guard, passing the ball. I like to watch Chris Paul play and try to model my game after him. I like to study him and I see myself playing like him."

Coach Nathaniel explains McGhee's position at McClymonds (McGhee often played shooting guard, while Will Cherry played the point.) "We decided to put the ball in Will Cherry's hands because we needed Vinnie to score. I'm hoping that most college coaches will see that Vinnie's naturally a point guard," said Nathaniel.

If Nathaniel had to guess where McGhee will end up, he believes Pacific is the leader. "UOP has showed the most interest. It's a good academic school, not far from home. They normally play a real decent schedule. I hope he goes to UOP. His family can see him play," says Nathaniel.

Nathaniel describes McGhee's game and personality. "Vinnie's a great kid. He and "Mook" (Frank Otis, McGhee's cousin and teammate) are like coaches' dreams. I wish I had four or five of them. He was always asking me if I would open the gym so he could work out."

And after McGhee hit big shot after big shot this year, while leading McClymonds to the state title game, perhaps a scholarship offer will come knocking on his door soon.