A Diamond In The Rough - By James Reman This years NBA draft has brought on many surprises with the outcome of it's young athletes and their gifts to the NBA's game. It was a given that prep phenom Lebron James and NCAA sensation Carmelo Anthony would make a splash for their selected teams in the 03/04 campaign, yet the talent and athleticism dropped off significantly from the top three down to the rest of the pack, or did it? Nineteen year old rookie Chris Bosh, who was selected fourth overall in the June draft by the Toronto Raptors, is out to prove that while the top three might be in the spotlight, he is intent on burning his candle bright. Christopher Wesson Bosh, born March 24, 1984 in Dallas, TX, was a dominant force on the court since the first time he picked up the round ball as a child. He carried that athleticism straight into high school where he staked his claim in Lincoln High School's basketball program. Bosh led his Lincoln team to an impressive 40-0 record and a Texas state championship his senior year, averaging 22 points, 12.2 rebounds and three blocks a contest throughout the season. His Senior year at Lincoln, Bosh was also named Gatorade's Player of the Year in Texas state, as well as "Mr. Basketball" by Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Chris has always prided himself in his conduct both on and off the court, wanting to be known as a fierce competitor on the hardwood, but also an all around nice guy off of it. After his stellar career at Lincoln High School, Bosh set his sights on Georgia Tech where both his aunt and cousin had previously attended university. Bosh's stay at Georgia Tech was a short one, only staying his freshmen year, but certainly an impressive one. Bosh came out in his first and only year of the NCAA leading his team in points, minutes played, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage from both inside and outside the three point arc. He finished his college career averaging 15.6 points and 9 rebounds a contest while shooting an impressive .478% from the field. While his 6'10, now 230 pound body was a blessing in the NC2A, in today's NBA Bosh is forced to dig down deep for that extra motivation in an attempt of success. "It is a little harder with all the big guys out here" says Bosh during a post game interview. "But it?s something I?ll just have to get better at with time." Exactly something the young nine-teen year old rookie is given going north to Toronto to play with the Raptors. While coming off a dismal season that saw the team finish with a 24-58 record, Toronto still is not in a desperate situation where they need Bosh to step up immediately. While draftee's such as Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony are needed to come in and contribute to their teams right away, Bosh has the opportunity to learn the NBA game as apposed to being dropped into it with a prayer in one hand and a team franchise in the other. While this is infact a reality, somewhere along the preseason process, Toronto management failed to mention this to Chris Bosh. The young man has done everything but lay low on the radar. Already making opposing players aware of him on the inside, Bosh has become one of the fan favorites in Toronto. He has adapted immediately to new coach Kevin O'Neill's defensive play and currently leads his NBA team in blocks and is second on the team in FG%. 'Chris Bosh' is without a doubt one of the athletic names that will not fade into the haze in Toronto. Already showing signs of superstardom the young athlete proves to be one of the greatest picks this team has ever made on draft night. He realizes that while critics will always have something to say about your game, there's only one way to ever silence them: become flawless. Years to come it's unlikely children will argue over who will win a battle of the universe: Chris Bosh or Superman, but it is very much a reality that the argument just might be, for Defensive player of the Year.
