Character Development
Elliot Perry’s return to the U of M brings a journey full circle.
By Ron Martin
Elliot Perry had just signed his letter of intent to play basketball
at the University of Memphis when Coach Larry Finch called him into his
office. “I’m going to put the ball in your
hands,” Elliot recalls Finch saying. “Where we
go is up to you.”
Perry took Finch’s words to heart but not just on the basketball court.
Perry takes everything to heart. “I realized at
a young age growing up in the ‘hood that I had decisions to make,” says
Perry. “Michael Toney [a family friend who mentored Perry when he was
younger] exposed me to a life outside my neighborhood, taking me to the University
of Memphis and [on a trip] with his family to California.These were things that
affected my future. It wasn’t much, but it sure meant a lot to me.”
When we spoke, Perry had just finished meeting with some kids from today’s
version of the ‘hood. While sportswriters and broadcasters were filing stories about
Perry’s return to his alma mater as a special
assistant in the Tiger Club fund-raising department, Perry was exposing youngsters to
the stumbling blocks that lay before them: “Develop character. Choose your
battles. You can’t fight every one; it may not be yours to fight,” he said in a tone
suggesting the words might be his creed.
Perry was born with enough talent to be good. He became great because
he worked hard. Each step of his basketball career presented new hurdles, but
Perry used those hurdles as stepladders. Each step of his personal life has followed
the same path. “We all make mistakes, do things we wish we could take back,”
he says. “Which is why I tell kids to map out their lives. Young players look at
guys like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett and think it’s easy.”
Perry seldom strays far from the point that basketball should be used by
youngsters to develop opportunities. “It’s
important to develop relationships. That’s what
it’s all about,” says Perry. “I try to tell kids
that good relationships last a lifetime.”
He remembers the mornings Coach Dorsey Sims pulled him out of bed to make class.
The prodding of coaches Sims and Finch is the foundation Perry uses today as he creates
relationships with the next generation. Of course, along the way, he could also be creating
relationships to generate money for the U of M athletic department, his new role in life.
But Perry keeps it all in perspective. He realized the definition of the term
“student-athlete” by earning his degree in four
years. “I thank the Lord every day for the
consistent opportunities He gives me,” he says.
“I try to tell kids that it’s too hard to come
back and get a degree after they leave school.”
It seems a lifetime ago when it was unusual for a collegiate star to turn pro
before his eligibility expired. Today, coaches
recruit with the knowledge that star athletes may stick around for a year at most.
High above the basketball court at The Pyramid hangs Perry’s number 34 jersey.
Maybe they should hang his cap and gown up there
as well, symbols of how to map out a life.
Flyers The annual C-USA football
media days were held in Memphis this week. After a golf tournament, coaches and
select players answered insightful questions such as “What do you expect this
season?” Another question making the rounds
concerned filling the C-USA commissioner’s office. It was a question left
unanswered and one that could remain unanswered
for some time … Bowling for dollars: The Professional Women’s Bowlers Association
is in Collierville this week at FunQuest Lanes.
Ramblings Archie Manning’s request
for Ole Miss not to hype son Eli’s Heisman Trophy candidacy will probably win the
trophy for him … Hats off to R.C. Johnson for
his desire to create a U of M athletic department that doesn’t depend on playing
Tennessee … Will Albert Means be the only Tiger on the sidelines because of academics?
Wanted: Talent
The Grizzlies’ West is determined to build a winner for Memphis.
By James P. Hill
Jerry West, the Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations, is
continuing his efforts to rebuild the Grizzlies into a team that can compete
with the NBA’s elite. It’s a simple plan: Get more talent.
“We need to get as many talented players as we can,” says West.
“Hopefully, we’ll have an opportunity some time
in the future to have a team where we have talent at all positions.”
The 2002 NBA draft and off-season trading spree is already yielding results,
if summer-league basketball competition can be used as a measuring stick. New
players such as Drew Gooden, Robert Archibald, and Gordan Giracek, a 6’6″ shooting
guard (CSKA Moscow, Russia) who was the 29th overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs
in 1999, offer youth and talent.
Giracek, who was acquired from San Antonio for a second-round pick in the
2004 draft, is already playing, knocking down jump shots, hitting free throws, and
fitting in. In a recent loss to the Portland
Trailblazers, Giracek led the Grizzlies in scoring
with 17 points.
“We feel that Giracek is a terrific,
experienced player who has played professionally for a number of years,” says West. “He is
a sharpshooter who is athletic and will bring additional quality depth to our
outside shooting positions.”
In the latest attempt to help solidify the backcourt, the Grizzlies have signed
former Seattle Sonics point guard Earl Watson
(6’1″, UCLA) to a free-agent contract. Seattle
has 15 days to match the offer, but at this point, it appears Watson is coming to
Memphis. As a Sonics rookie (2001-02), Watson averaged 3.6 points, 2 assists, 1.3 rebounds,
and .94 steals in 15 minutes per contest. Watson seems happy to be coming to Memphis.
“I am excited about the opportunity to play
for the Grizzlies for several reasons,” he says.
“I grew up in Kansas City, which is close to Memphis, and I consider it a privilege to
have a chance to play for Jerry West.”
The Grizzlies have also signed Cezary Trybanski, a 22-year-old, 7’1″,
254-pound center. Cezary, who comes to Memphis after three years of professional
basketball in Poland, is expected to provide rebounding and size. Cezary will test
his skills immediately in the Rocky Mountain Revue. (You can watch the
new-look Grizzlies play the Chicago Bulls on ESPN Thursday, July 25th, at 7p.m.)
West believes the new mix can only benefit the team. “I’ve always felt that
competition brings out the best in all players,
and we’re gonna have some very competitive times in our training camp,” he says.
“It really remains to be seen who’s going to win those minutes, but it wouldn’t
surprise me if this kid Gooden would get an opportunity to play more minutes than
any other rookie in the league.”