Wallace Does it With Skills, Competitiveness, and Intelligence

Ron Bailey, Publisher

September 6, 2006 - As with adults, there are many types of young people engaged in basketball. Some are positive, and conversely others have unfortunately adopted a more negative bent. Some regrettably strictly fashion themselves athletes - possibly to their future detriment – while others are scholars first who more or less play basketball because they love the sport and don’t generally impact competition.

And then there are young people like senior guard, Gary Wallace, Jr. Standing 6’4” and weighing 185lbs, Wallace is sort of a renaissance man, in that not only does he perform in an exemplary fashion in the classroom and on the court, but does so with a sophistication that belies his young age.

This spring and summer, playing with the Playaz AAU/travel team organization, Wallace consistently impressed observers, despite playing on a 17 and under team that was stocked with future Division I backcourt players. What was most striking in his play was the propensity to play hard nosed basketball in all facets of the game.

Nowhere was this more evident in the Playaz 74-72 buzzer beating victory over Team Breakdown in a Gibbons Tournament of Champions contest. At first blush, his five point contribution may not leave readers ‘hyped’, but Gary’s impact was much more than scoring points. He created several steals, routinely made the pass that led to the pass that led to a shot, and applied considerable defensive pressure to Breakdown’s talented backcourt. In essence, he did whatever was necessary for a victory.

That all-around, team oriented effort is par for Gary’s course so to speak. “It’s just having fun” he said, during a recent phone interview. “I’ve always been that type of player”. Such a statement is significant, as the young guy has played organized ball since the age of six.

Jim Salmons, head coach and director of the New Jersey-based Playaz AAU organization, speaks highly of Gary Wallace, Jr.

Given Wallace’s involvement with the Playaz since age 15, that organization’s head coach and director, Jim Salmons, is intimately aware of what Gary brings to the hardwood. “His strongest attribute is his competitiveness” opined Salmons, the man who started Playaz hoops 10 years ago. “He plays physically with purpose, and has the ability to take over games”. Salmons went on to laud Gary’s “high basketball, I.Q.”.

Upon talking to Wallace, the young guy’s intellect and poise jump out at you – it is easy to forget he is actually a young guy. Not only does Gary answer questions cogently, but articulates his thoughts extremely well, and always maintains a palpable level of respect for the person he’s communicating with.

Of course these characteristics are valued by Salmons. “Gary’s a tremendous kid off the court; a very solid kid” he said. “He’s the son you would be proud of”.

As mentioned above, Wallace not only grinds on the court, but academically also. While attending Seton Hall Prep – a school noted throughout Northern New Jersey for its academic rigor – Gary has earned “a 3.5 GPA”, and is obviously preparing himself for future endeavors. Wallace revealed he plans to major in “Sports Medicine/Exercise Science, or Architecture” upon matriculating to college.

The decision where Gary will attend is not imminent. “It’ll probably be (made) right before the cut off date” he said. “It depends, we have to see”.

Gary Wallace, Jr., shown here in a break between Gibbon's Tournament of Champions action at Duke University, has distinguished himself in AAU/travel team and high school ball.

Wallace is looking an institution that, in his words offers “Everything. Basketball, academics, things that can help me in the future”. He then added that the student body of college suitors will also be analyzed.

“Holy Cross, Bucknell, Drexel, Lehigh, Colgate, Kent State” and the University of Pennsylvania are the schools named by Wallace as actively recruiting him. Of that group Holy Cross, Bucknell, Colgate and Kent State have all offered scholarships. Seton Hall had previously displayed interest, but according to Gary, “they haven’t said much recently”.

In addition to making his college choice, Wallace has a busy final year in high school ahead. “Off the court, I want to finish out my senior year strong” he said. On it, Gary plans to be key in Seton Hall Prep “winning the T.O.C. (Tournament of Champions - the New Jersey state high school championships)”. Last season, Seton Hall Prep advanced past their local grouping, only to lose “in the first round to Linden” in this nationally respected event pitting public and private schools. .

To effectuate that, Gary has steeled himself to not only improve upon his stated junior season averages of “8.5 points, 5.5 assists, and about four rebounds”, but also his elevated playoff scoring averages “of about 18 points”. That 2005-2006 scoring discrepancy - from 8.5 to 18 – can be attributed to the fact, shared Wallace, he “didn’t start shooting” until the playoffs”. Gary feels this increased offensive focus will not detract from his level of play as a point guard, nor will it negatively influence his trademark all-court influence.

That multi-faceted overall contribution is in essence, what Wallace does. As he put it, “If one part of your game isn’t falling, fall back on another”. The Playaz’ Salmon would add “tremendous character” and leadership to Gary’s skill tool kit.

No wonder top-level institutions are recruiting him. The question is why aren’t more? No matter, the one Gary Wallace, Jr. chooses will benefit greatly – and in many ways - from his presence.