http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14274228p-15084076c.html
By Martin McNeal
Quincy Douby brings an unusual story from growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., to becoming a first-round draft choice of the Kings.
In many ways, Douby has shown that hard work, dedication and desire, combined with a natural flair and toughness, can be a powerful springboard to success.
Douby has shattered numerous stereotypes during his rapid ascent from the high school sophomore who did not play basketball in the hoops hotbed of New York City. At 22, Douby has played the game for only six years, and now he's a professional.
"We have 10- and 11-year-olds in our country about whom we can say have played basketball for six years," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "So we're talking about a young man whom we believe has a huge upside."
While fellow Coney Island neighbors Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair had their routes to the NBA mapped, predicted and virtually assumed at similar stages, Douby says he was just learning how to dribble during his senior year of high school.
"I learned how to shoot by watching a guy playing in the park," Douby said Friday following his introductory news conference to the Sacramento media.
"I only averaged seven points in my junior year (at William E. Grady Vocational High School), and that was the first year I played organized ball. All I did was catch and shoot.
"I really didn't start learning how to dribble until the summer before my senior year. That summer, all I did was play basketball. I spent all my time in the gym. My coach, Jack Ringel, gave me access to our gym, and that's where I was."
Douby said it was during that summer when basketball replaced his girlfriend.
"The girl I was seeing at the time kept asking me when we were going to hang out, and I was spending all my time working on my game," he said. "She didn't understand, so I had to let her go. I was focused on becoming the best player I could. At night, I was in the gym."
Douby's parents came to the United States from Haiti. He said Ringel taught him that basketball could earn him a college scholarship.
"I didn't know anything about that," said Douby, who averaged 35 points during his senior year at Grady and went on to play at Rutgers. "Coach made me aware of how I could get a free ride to college. He kept me focused on not hanging out with the wrong guys."
No coach, however, could make Douby immerse himself in the game he has come to love.
Douby's story shows there are many types of passion that exist, a lesson learned by his former girlfriend.
Barnes waits, again
The jump shot looks smooth, compact and more consistent. Now if only the chances to display his talents were as fluid.
It's summer, so Del Campo High School product Matt Barnes is looking for an NBA job. Just as important as the job, though, is what Barnes considers a legitimate chance to play. Can a brother get 15 to 20 minutes a night somewhere in the league? Effort never will be a problem.
Barnes said working with shooting coach Buzz Braman after the Kings traded him, Chris Webber and Michael Bradley to Philadelphia in February 2005 helped him remove a hitch in his shot.
"Since then, I've just been taking a lot of shots," he said.
Barnes, who now is an unrestricted free agent, said he will continue to work toward his goal for two reasons.
"I love to play basketball," he said. "A lot of people would have quit, but I'm not going to do that. A lot of people are getting breaks, and my break is going to come. I'm going to keep working hard and keep my faith in God. And I believe in myself."
Barnes said playing for the Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers provided mini-opportunities. "There have been a couple of times when it looked like I was going to get the opportunity to establish myself," he said after Friday night's Sacramento Professional Development League game, "but it didn't turn out that way. But everything happens for a reason."
By Martin McNeal
Quincy Douby brings an unusual story from growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., to becoming a first-round draft choice of the Kings.
In many ways, Douby has shown that hard work, dedication and desire, combined with a natural flair and toughness, can be a powerful springboard to success.
Douby has shattered numerous stereotypes during his rapid ascent from the high school sophomore who did not play basketball in the hoops hotbed of New York City. At 22, Douby has played the game for only six years, and now he's a professional.
"We have 10- and 11-year-olds in our country about whom we can say have played basketball for six years," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "So we're talking about a young man whom we believe has a huge upside."
While fellow Coney Island neighbors Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair had their routes to the NBA mapped, predicted and virtually assumed at similar stages, Douby says he was just learning how to dribble during his senior year of high school.
"I learned how to shoot by watching a guy playing in the park," Douby said Friday following his introductory news conference to the Sacramento media.
"I only averaged seven points in my junior year (at William E. Grady Vocational High School), and that was the first year I played organized ball. All I did was catch and shoot.
"I really didn't start learning how to dribble until the summer before my senior year. That summer, all I did was play basketball. I spent all my time in the gym. My coach, Jack Ringel, gave me access to our gym, and that's where I was."
Douby said it was during that summer when basketball replaced his girlfriend.
"The girl I was seeing at the time kept asking me when we were going to hang out, and I was spending all my time working on my game," he said. "She didn't understand, so I had to let her go. I was focused on becoming the best player I could. At night, I was in the gym."
Douby's parents came to the United States from Haiti. He said Ringel taught him that basketball could earn him a college scholarship.
"I didn't know anything about that," said Douby, who averaged 35 points during his senior year at Grady and went on to play at Rutgers. "Coach made me aware of how I could get a free ride to college. He kept me focused on not hanging out with the wrong guys."
No coach, however, could make Douby immerse himself in the game he has come to love.
Douby's story shows there are many types of passion that exist, a lesson learned by his former girlfriend.
Barnes waits, again
The jump shot looks smooth, compact and more consistent. Now if only the chances to display his talents were as fluid.
It's summer, so Del Campo High School product Matt Barnes is looking for an NBA job. Just as important as the job, though, is what Barnes considers a legitimate chance to play. Can a brother get 15 to 20 minutes a night somewhere in the league? Effort never will be a problem.
Barnes said working with shooting coach Buzz Braman after the Kings traded him, Chris Webber and Michael Bradley to Philadelphia in February 2005 helped him remove a hitch in his shot.
"Since then, I've just been taking a lot of shots," he said.
Barnes, who now is an unrestricted free agent, said he will continue to work toward his goal for two reasons.
"I love to play basketball," he said. "A lot of people would have quit, but I'm not going to do that. A lot of people are getting breaks, and my break is going to come. I'm going to keep working hard and keep my faith in God. And I believe in myself."
Barnes said playing for the Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers provided mini-opportunities. "There have been a couple of times when it looked like I was going to get the opportunity to establish myself," he said after Friday night's Sacramento Professional Development League game, "but it didn't turn out that way. But everything happens for a reason."
