Sports

But Bluthenthal struggled early in
the 2001-2002 season and was not
playing at the level he expected.
Worries about his future and a pro
career contributed to his problems,
he said. "It got a little frustrating
early on. Who knows what's going to
happen. I try not to think about it."
While some scouts have projected
Bluthenthal as a second-round selec-
tion in this spring's NBA draft, he
said he's taking a wait-and-see
approach. He is scheduled to gradu-
ate next fall.

JASON GREEN
Jewish Renaissance Media

D

avid Bluthenthal doesn't
want to be known as the
best Jewish college basket-
ball player in the nation.
But the 21-year-old University of
Southern California senior could be
the first Jewish athlete in a quarter-
century to have an impact in the
National Basketball Association.
"I'd rather be one of the best in
general," Bluthenthal said following
practice at USC's Los Angeles cam-
pus. "I'm proud of being Jewish; but
it really doesn't cross my mind that
much."
Bluthenthal, a 6-foot, 7-inch, 220-
pound senior, is focused on a more
immediate goal — helping the
Trojans advance in the upcoming
NCAA basketball tournament. "It's
realistic to think we can go all the
way," Bluthenthal said. "Our sights
are no lower than winning a champi-
onship."
USC has been ranked in both the
Associated Press and
.
ESPN/USAToday polls for most of
the season. An NCAA selection com-
mittee will annouce tournament
teams on March 10. First-round
games will be held at eight venues
across the country on March 14 and
15. The championship will be decid-
ed April 1 at the Georgia Dome in
Atlanta.
Bluthenthal, a three-year starter at
small forward, usually towers over the
players who guard him. He led the
team in scoring as USC won three
key games — 83-61 over Arizona
State on Feb. 14, 94-89 over Arizona on Feb. 16 and 77-58 over Stanford on
Feb. 21.
Bluthenthal, a sociology major who was named to the 2001 Jewish Sports
Review All-America first team, averaged nearly 25 points per game during
those three victories.
The Los Angeles native — who is averaging more than 32 minutes, 12
points and seven rebounds per game — has had an up-and-down season.
He was among 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden Award, presented
annually to college basketball's best male player. It was an honor Bluthenthal
deserved, said Todd Harmonson, a reporter with the Orange County Register.
"He has become USC's most dependable starter and made the transforma-
tion from the player no one knew to the one no one dares to ignore,"
Harmonson said.

Hard Worker

USC Coach Henry Bibb says
Bluthenthal is willing to work hard
for success. "David is very serious
about the game of basketball. He'll
stay in the gym forever," Bibby said.
"By working so hard, he's become
two players in one. He is one of our
best post players and best perimeter
players."
Bluthenthal expects to work on his
game — especially his ball handling
— in Europe before he gets his
chance in the NBA.
"I've been pleased with my college
career," Bluthenthal said. "This year
hasn't been a great year, but there are
some games left for me to show what
I can do."
Bibby said Bluthenthal has been a
key to his team's success. "There's no
better shooter or post-up player or
rebounder than David Bluthenthal,"
Bibby said. "I'd like to see him get a
little quicker and handle the ball a
little more. He took some steps for-
ward defensively last year, but I'd like
to see him continue to improve in that area as well."
Bluthenthal's great-great-great grandfather, Isaias Hellman, was one of the
three major donors of the land where USC sits in Los Angeles. His late
mother was an African-American Jew who died when he was a high school
freshman. His father is a convert to Judaism.
"They never pressured us into religion," said Bluthenthal, adding that his
family celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas. "We never had to do
things we didn't want."
Still Bluthenthal, who played for the United States at the 1997 Maccabia
Games in Tel Aviv, has a spiritual side. It's important, he said, to be a good
person.
"I'd like to go to temple when the season's over," he said. "We'll have to
see what happens." ❑

David Bluthenthal looks
to success in the. NCAA
tournament and the NBA.

3/15

2002

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