Laundry is no problem. Their parents taught them how to do their own years ago. Ditto on schoolwork where the classes are tougher but study skills honed long ago for the high school honor students have made the transition from high school to college level classes easier. And as long as there are microwaves and frozen foods that can be heated up in seconds, cooking has been a breeze. In fact, most things have come at times comically but mostly easily for two of the University of Alabamas newest business students, Crimson Tide freshmen basketball players Andrew Steele and JaMychal Green. The two roommates and teammates have just completed their first summer semester of college and life away from their families. So far, they say, living away from home has been an adventure, from figuring out campus bus routes to surviving conditioning workouts in the sweltering heat to waking up by 7:30 each morning to make that 8 a.m. class.
JaMychal Green finished his first semester of college on Monday morning and will leave at 3 a.m. Tuesday to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. Its a big summer for the University of Alabamas big freshman, 6-foot-9 forward JaMychal Green. Green, the 2008 Mr. Basketball in the state of Alabama and a McDonalds All-America, is one of 20 of the nations top 18-and-younger basketball players who will be in Washington, D.C., July 1-3 competing at the 2008 USA Basketball Mens U18 National Team Trials. The Trials are held at the Verizon Center. Green is competing for one of the 12 roster spots on the USA team.
Richard Hendrix, who was a junior forward on the University of Alabama basketball team this past season, was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 2nd round of the 2008 NBA Draft late Thursday night. The Athens native was the 49th pick overall in The Draft.
"As of right now I am happy to be a Golden State Warrior," said Hendrix who was at his parents house in Athens Thursday night. "It was a very long night to find out where I am going to be, but I am happy to hear my name called. I am excited. I am glad I am going to the Golden State Warriors. The name Warriors is really what I think I am. I am ready to go and give them what I have to offer."
Ronald Steele, a 2007 Associated Press Preseason All-American, will return for a fifth and final season of playing basketball at the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-1 senior point guard from Birmingham withdrew his name from contention for the 2008 NBA Draft. Players had until 4 p.m. CT on Monday to remain or withdraw.
Coleman Coliseum came alive Friday night with laughter and fun and some great family bonding. Mark Gottfried held his annual Parent-Child Camp with kids and their dads perfecting their basketball skills and having great one-on-one family time. Typically held on the Friday of Fathers Day Weekend, the parents and their kids arrive on Friday evening and are instructed on the court by Bamas basketball staff and several of the Crimson Tide players.