12 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 21, 2003
A' NOBLE GENTLEMAN
Courtney Sims brings his game and wit to the University
By Michael Nissonfl Daily Sports Editor
Anyone familiar with the writ-
L ings of the famous author
oald Dahl knows the story
of the Big Friendly Giant. Thought to
be a mean, nasty beast, the Giant really
was a friendly, giving creature with a
passion to help others.
Michigan has its own version of
the BFG in incoming freshman
Courtney Sims. The 6-foot-11 Sims
definitely falls into the giant catego-
ry, towering over most everyone that
he comes in contact with. And watch-
ing him on the basketball court, he
might be mistaken for a nasty beast,
leaving wreckage in the form of
opposing players in his wake. But off
the court, he holds the kind disposi-
tion of a kindergarten teacher, willing
to spend time with many different
people. Just ask his high school bas-
ketball coach Michael Herring.
"He's very, very close to my fami-
ly," Herring said. "My oldest boy,
Michael Jr. - (he and Sims) are real-
ly just best pals. He's just wonderful
with everyone, but with my boys in
particular. In a very subjective sense,
he's quite close to my heart."
Herring also noted that Sims is
highly regarded by his peers at his
school, the Nobles and Greenough
School in Dedham, Mass.
"He was absolutely beloved here,"
Herring said. "He has this infectious
personality, so people just are gravi-
tating toward him. But he had this
great ability to travel in between the
cliques, very, very easily and seam-
lessly. It was as if he was part of
everybody's group, and he actually
kind of broke down groups."
A RATHER LATE BEGINNING
It might come as a surprise that
Sims, a blue chip recruit last year,
has only been playing organized
basketball since ninth grade.
"I (wasn't really) interested in basket-
ball when I was little," Sims said. "I was
a tennis player. I won three national
championships...in theYouth Games."
One day, while attending a bar-
beque at the house of family friend
and mentor Bill Willis, Sims picked
up a basketball and fired
away. After seeing Sims
shoot around, Willis reported
the vertically gifted young
man to a friend who coached
a local AAU team. One thing
led to another, and soon
Sims was putting his round
ball skills to the test.
"I tried out and made the
team, so that's when I first
started taking basketball seri-
ously" Sims said.
What makes his situation-
more interesting is that Sims
has grown up without a father.
Raised by his mother Yvonne,
Sims has always looked up to
Willis, a Boston city canine
policeman, for support.
"It's sort of like a father-son
relationship really," Sims said.
"He just helps me out with
everything."
qa
MORE THAN JUST MAKING
THE GRADE
Sims may be on a tear on
the hardwood, but what is per-
haps more impressive is his
dedication in the classroom. *
"(Nobles) is real tough,
and if you don't do your
work, then you're not going JEFF GAHRES/The Daly N
to really survive at Nobles, so Courtney Sims will look to dominate more in the pos
you just got to learn from Michigan when next season rolls around.
mistakes sometimes," Sims said. "Peo- already heading to Michigan elected
ple in my class are saying that Nobles to take the class is one thing, but
is probably harder than college." Cottrell was more impressed with
Take, for example, the Greek Civi- Sims' desire to truly understand the
lization class that Sims took as a sen- civilization he was learning about.
ior. With a reading list that includes "I'll always remember our conversa-
names such as Herodotus, Cicero, tions outside of class about the different
Livy, Thucydides and Virgil, one books that we were reading," Cottrell
might confuse it for a 300-level said. "Courtney told me that he had
course at the University. Forget high been very intrigued by Greek mytholo-
school kids, these ancient authors baf- gy since elementary school. This sense
fle college students on a regular basis. of wonder and curiosity led him to sign
"The nightly reading load is up for my classes as a senior. We often
demanding and widely variant, from discussed how modern Greeks and
epic poetry and comedy, ancient Romans seem. Courtney was really fas-
historians and biographies, to politi- cinated by their outlook on life as mani-
cal speeches and urban planning," fested in their art and literature."
Sims' teacher Leona Cottrell said. Cottrell also noted that Sims'
The fact that a student who was desire for knowledge rubbed off on
other students at the school.
"Courtney was a significant
presence in the classroom and
inspired others with his deep
sense of commitment to the
subject," Cottrell said. "His
enthusiasm for the classical
world was infectious."
It's no secret that a lot of
Division I athletes get into
F school because of their athletic
ability over their academic
prowess. In Sims' case, the
books do the talking.
I'D RATHER BE IN ANN
ARBOR...
Even though he lives on the
east coast where competitive
basketball schools seem to
grow on trees, Sims has
always been a Wolverine fan.
"Me and my brother used
to watch (games on televi-
sion)," Sims said. "His
favorite team was North
Carolina and my favorite
team was Michigan. We
watched the '92 National
Championship - that was
my team. I mean I knew
everybody: Ray Jackson,
Jimmy King."
ews Transcrpt That long-standing fondness
t for for Michigan was one of the
major factors that lead Sims to
consider looking into Michigan. Most
people figured that he would remain
close to home.
"I was either going to go to BC,
Syracuse, UConn or Maryland," Sims
said. "Those were my top four. And
then I was going to give Michigan a
shot, but I was so impressed with
Michigan. So I decided to come here."
Herring pointed out that the fami-
ly atmosphere of the program was
appealing to Sims.
"When he went out (to visit Michi-
gan) I think he felt really close to
coach Amaker throughout the
process. Being out at (Amaker's)
house and spending time with the
players and all that business, I think
that cemented it," Herring said.
Michigan's academic standing
also gave Amaker and his staff a leg
up on the competition.
"That was a big factor," Sims
said. "There were other schools that
were on my list before, but my
coach and my mom (were) just like,
'That's not a good school for you.
Don't go there.' (Academics is)
what took those schools off my list."
TO INFlNITY, AND BEYOND
The future looks to be a bright one
for Sims at Michigan. He comes in
at a time where the Wolverines are
relatively young at the center posi-
tion, and his desire to get better and
learn more will prepare him to be a
solid contributor.
"He has great hands for a big guy,"
Amaker said. "He has a knack for
keeping his hands on the ball and
getting the ball in the basket around
the rim. We anticipate that he's going
to be a factor for us throughout his
time here at Michigan."
Herring also noted that Sims plays
even bigger than his height implies.
"He's 6-foot- 1l but his body frame
makes him more like, I would say, 7-
foot-2 or 7-foot-3," Herring said. "He's
really long. I just think he has tremen-
dous potential. He's got the ability to
put some mass on."
As a senior at Nobles, Sims averaged
25 points a game in leading his team to
a 21-4 record. Although he's most com-
fortable with his back to the basket,
Sims has the ability to step out beyond
the arc and knock down threes. In addi-
tion to his offensive ability, he is also a
terror on the defensive end, where dur-
ing his junior year he averaged a mind-
boggling 8.9 blocks per game.
Although competition for playing
time in the Wolverine post will be
stiff, Sims is confident that he can
make things happen once he dons
the Maize and Blue.
"I think I can (make) a big impact
real quickly."
Time will tell, but one thing is for
sure: The Big Friendly Giant is in Ann
Arbor, and giant Wolverines are sure to
bring excitement come November.
IM4 NOTE
Crawford renigs
on committment
Detroit Renaissance guard Joe
Crawford recently backed out of his
commitment to Tommy Amaker and
the Michigan basketball program.
Crawford, who had committed to the
Wolverines shortly after his junior year
ended, said that he wanted to take more
time to come to a final decision. HeJis
still considering Michigan, along with
Missouri, Kentucky, and North Caroli-
na, among others.
Amaker has said that he will contin-
ue to recruit Crawford despite the
recent setback. Michigan now has two
scholarships to give out to complete its
class of 2004.
OTHER NEW FACES
3RENT PETWAY
DION HARRIS
Position: Forward Position: Guard
Height: 6'8" Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195 Weight: 200
Hometown: McDonough, Hometown: Detroit (Redford
Gerogia (Griffin High School) High School)
The Skinny: While leading his The Skinny: Harris was chosen
team to the state championship, as Mr. Basketball from the state
Petway averaged 20 points and of Michigan, finishing his sen-
14 rebounds per game. Griffin tor season with 24.8 points, 8.7
H.S. knocked off two of the top rebounds and 3 assists per game.
three teams in the state, and Pet- rHe was ranked as the 18th best
way earned Player of the Year recruit nationally by Rivals.com,
honors. He was selected to play and was named to the Detroit
in the Florida-Georgia All-Star . News Dream Team. He
N game, collecting 15 points and becomes the first Mr. Basketball
Dk ba.He a so won the Slam Harris drives against Shann ron from Michigan to play for
s. Dunk contest the night before. who will attend Michigan State. ' Michigan in eight years.