Excerpts from Salt Lake Tribune article dated July 15, 2001

Camps Lead to Scholarships

Summer camps draw scouts

By Patrick Kinahan   The Salt Lake Tribune

Provo -  Decked out in baggy shorts and a loose-fitting, sleeveless top, Jordan High’s Weston Bell pranced around in basketball’s version of a beauty contest. In this competition, the scale leans heavily toward the talent portion. Physical appearance disregards the face.

The judges sat a few feet away, limited to a nod and a wink. They took mental notes, as the contestants flashed their skills.

Bell, a skinny 17-year-old going into his senior year, has prepared several years for this opportunity. Instead of working a part-time job, Bell spends most of his free time pumping, dribbling and shooting. Six days a week, at least four hours, he works  -- all with one objective: a scholarship.

Like hundreds and thousands of kids, Bell wants to play Division I basketball. To reach his goal, he is spending this summer at basketball camps or playing in tournaments.

Last week, he attended a two day camp at Timpview High. He played in front of 17 college coaches, split between junior college and Division I. None of the coaches came specifically to see Bell; the big catch is Utah Valley State College’s Seth Scott. But, if for no other reason than boredom, they will watch him. “I want to show them I can shoot,” the 6-foot-5 Bell said. Bell got to audition before Utah State’s Stew Morrill, Southern Utah’s Bill Evans, Idaho State’s Doug Oliver and Wyoming’s Steve McClain. Seven Utah junior college coaches also evaluated him.

“If a kid plays well here, he’ll be on some scouting lists and it will turn into a scholarship for him,” said Salt Lake Community College coach Norm Parrish.  "It’s all about decent exposure."

Dave Hammer, the camp director, designed two days of basketball with the intent of bringing together players and coaches. He started it last year, with little fanfare, but this year, with the addition of several junior college teams, recruiters took notice. A Portland Trail Blazers representative even called him. About 80 Utah high school and junior college players attended along with players from surrounding states.

“I’m trying to help the kids get a little bit more notice,” Hammer said.

Smaller Window: July is a huge recruiting time in college basketball, although on a smaller scale than in previous years. Starting this year, NCAA rules limit the open period for coaches to watch players to two weeks in July. Communication between players and college coaches is restricted to a hello or a wave. Last Week, the first of the two open periods, coaches were scattered across the country. The big names split time in Indiana and New Jersey, where two major shoe companies sponsored camps for the nation’s elite high school players.

While coaches from the Pac-10 and Big 12 sent their assistants to Timpview, McClain arranged his hectic schedule to attend the Utah event. His assistants often attend the larger camps and he zeroes in on the more intimate affairs.

“My best recruiting is done when I just go where players are,” he said. “Sometimes you can get more done at a smaller event, whereas sitting in a [high-profile camp] with 90 other head coaches, that kid doesn’t know who’s watching and who isn’t. In an event like this, it’s pretty easy for a kid to tell you came just for him.”

With a group of players who were not major recruits out of high school, Wyoming will be a favorite to win the Mountain West Conference this winter.

McClain came to Timpview to catch the eye of Scott, a 6-foot-9 sophomore who has generated substantial interest. Before Scott took the floor Monday afternoon, he exchanged nods with McClain.

McClain’s itinerary last week read like a rock star’s: seven cities in seven nights, kicking off in Wyoming and concluding in the nation’s capital. In between, he made one-night stands in New Jersey, St. Louis, Kansas City and Dallas.  His presence at out-of-the-way Timpview was not lost on Scott.  “It means a lot,” he said. “it’s not even needed, but it’s appreciated.”

Besides Scott, Snow College center Jackson Vroman was a hot draw. Vroman, whose father, Brett, played at UCLA and UNLV, is a late bloomer from Viewmont High. Growing up, he played more soccer than basketball.

Star Search: “Most of the people in the Mountain West Conference are trying to find that one guy who’s maybe a little under-recruited,” McClain said.

He points to his own Josh Davis, an All-Mountain West forward who chose Wyoming over Portland State. McClain also plucked star forward Marcus Bailey, who did not play in many summer tournaments.

“A lot of coaches get caught up in the recruiting lists and rankings, “ McClain said. “I don’t ever get caught up in that.”

Davis and Bailey are the reason McClain sat on Timpview’s hard bleachers for several hours instead of only watching Scott or Vroman. Some unknown might have caught McClain’s eye. If he likes a prospect, McClain will start a file and chart the player’s progression. “You never know,” McClain said.

Scouts did not have to look far to find a potential diamond. Robbie Warren played along side Scott on Utah Valley's team. Warren has a load of potential as a strong player with great leaping ability. Warren is the kind of player scouts overlooked.  Growing up in Springville, he was more interested in soccer and did not think about basketball until he sprouted seven inches in one year. With each tournament this summer, Warren's options increase. As the word spreads, more recruiters show up to watch him play.

Post-story recap:

Seth Scott  attended Portland State University and spent 2005 playing in Hungary and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. 

Jackson Vroman attended Iowa State University and ended up a NBA 2^nd round draft pick and played for the New Orleans Hornets.

Weston Bell served a LDS mission and will play in 2005-2006 at Dixie State College.

Robbie Warren was a two year starter at division 1 school Southern Utah University.