Opinion: Media May Hurt Shavlik Randolph

THE FOLLOWING IS AN OPINION AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE INSIDERS REPORT OR ALLIANCE SPORTS ...

It was only last March when I witnessed first hand the tremendous strain on Shavlik Randolph, a talented junior forward from Raleigh (NC) Broughton. Randolph can be defined as a "local hero."

The local hero was signing autographs on girls' t-shirts, little boys’ basketballs, and adults’ programs after he watched the McDonald's Slam Dunk competition -- a competition in which David Lee elevated himself to temporary "local hero" by winning the contest.

But the real spotlight was obviously on Randolph. At 6-9 it is hard to

miss this personable young man. He is low-key and modest about his local notoriety, graciously signing autographs, shaking hands and speaking with well-wishers.

I learned something that night -- Shavlik Randolph is certainly a class act.

The tough part for Randolph is dealing with the expectations. Not his own, but those of the local media. The real question is whether those goals can ever be attained.

Passion for high school and college hoops in North Carolina is tantamount to Mets and Yankees fervor in New York. It's a religion down in North Carolina when you talk about Duke, UNC, and NC State. The

rivalries are intense and the battle lines are drawn when it comes to landing Randolph. He’s considering all three, but there are other non-state schools which are also in the mix.

However there’s another possibility – the NBA. My suggestion to Randolph would be to forget it and go the college route. Why? Because the NBA has falsely led certain high school players into believing they are ready for the world's toughest competition. I ask each and every one of you out there, including those in the media, to seriously consider which high school players are truly ready for the rough and

tough NBA.

We know certain high schoolers who are seeing their stock drop. It's no surprise. Most of these kids can barely make a low post offensive move. How can we be so sure? Heck, the NBA scouts told us.

The "local media" of North Carolina have rightly suggested that Randolph is a fine player. He’s certainly a candidate for the McDonald's All American game. In fact, one particular official was gushing all over him after the Slam Jam at Broughton High School last March.

But many times in our business the temptation is too great and – present company included -- we “hype” a player. Yes, folks, it's done. And in Randolph's case it may do much more harm than good. The basketball world is littered with players that never lived up to the "hype."

This is not to suggest that Randolph will end up being one of these players. However, Randolph, a 17-year-old forward, has been elevated to god-like status in the North Carolina area, much like Felipe Lopez when he played for Rice High School and then at St. John's. This kind of pressure is unfair to Randolph, and to any other player for that matter.

So step back and take a good look. What you have here is a tremendous kid who happens to bounce a basketball. Someone who is skilled enough to earn a free ride to a top school. But most importantly, he’s an individual who carries himself with honor and true character.

Isn’t that the best that can ever be expected of any young man?