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.