QA with Jerryd Bayless

The 4th Annual MLK Basketball Classic is right around the corner, and below is info and a special Q&A from St. Mary's Jerryd Bayless. Scheduled for January 15, 2007 at Wells Fargo Arena on the campus of Arizona State University, this year's edition promises to be full of excitement as the event has:

-Four schools (Cactus, Saguaro, Valley Christian, Scottsdale Christian) participating for the first time.

-The top boys and girls basketball players in the state (Jerryd Bayless and Kayla Pedersen).

-Two (current) No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups on the event schedule (Red Mountain vs. Mountain View; Desert Vista vs. Mountain View).

-A highly-anticipated rematch from the 2007 5A, Division I State Tournament (Desert Vista vs. Mountain View).

The game schedule consists of Cactus vs. Saguaro (girls), 1:45 pm; Valley Christian vs. Scottsdale Christian, 3:15 pm; Mountain View vs. Desert Vista, 4:45 pm; Brophy vs. St. Mary's, 6:30 pm; Mountain View vs. Red Mountain (girls), 8:00 pm.

For those of you in Southern Arizona, the inaugural Tucson/MLK Basketball Classic is being played at McKale Center on the campus of the University of Arizona on the same date. The game schedule is Sahuaro vs. Rincon, 1:30 pm; Palo Verde vs. Catalina Foothills (girls), 3:00 pm; Ironwood Ridge vs. Cienega, 4:30 pm; Canyon del Oro vs. Flowing Wells (girls), 6:00 pm; Tucson High vs. Salpointe Catholic, 7:30 pm.

As in the past, each school will recognize a member of their community who supports diversity and have their pom/cheer squad perform at halftime. In addition to give-a-ways during each game, the National Anthem for will be performed by a student from one of the participating schools. While the last two games are being televised by Cox7 Sports (ASU only), I personally invite you to attend and show your support for high school basketball.

When you have a minute, check out the MLK Basketball Classic Official Website linked above. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at marc.beasley@cox.net.

Q&A with Jerryd Bayless:

Q: Do you feel any pressure to live up to the hype as the most celebrated high

school boys' basketball player in the state of Arizona?

A: No, I take it as a compliment and move on. It is great being seen as that but I can't let that get in the way of my ultimate goal.

Q: What do you feel are your three biggest strengths?

A: I feel my biggest strengths are my leadership and experience.

Q: Thus far, what has been your biggest highlight as a basketball player?

A: The biggest highlight for me as a basketball player has been being able to play against Michael Jordan at his flight school camp.

Q: As someone who's played in a number of national basketball events, how do

Arizona players compare to those across the country?

A: The way Arizona players compare to other states is gradually getting better. Not known as a basketball state, we are finally getting recognized over the past couple of years by producing many Division I basketball players.

Q: How would you describe your relationship with St. Mary's head coach, Dave

Lopez?

A: The way I would describe my relationship with Coach Lopez is something more than him just being my coach. I have been around him and the program the last ten years of my life (due to my brother being here before me). He has taught me an equal amount of lessons on the court as well as off.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, what three DVDs would you want to

watch?

A: The three DVDs I would bring are He Got Game, The Matrix, and Come Fly With Me (Michael Jordan highlights).

Q: Who is the greatest influence in your life?

A: The greatest influences in my life are my Mom, Dad, and Brother. I feel that they have taught me the values of life and I have received a special characteristic of myself from each one of them.

Q: How did you feel when the national anthem was being played after you

received your gold medal at the Junior Olympic Games in San Antonio in the

summer?

A: It felt great. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent your country while playing the game you love.

Q: Who has better fries: McDonald's or Burger King?

A: Burger King

Q: Who is your favorite NBA basketball player?

A: Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat