AT THE BUZZER

The last time we connected (Mid-April Buzz Worthy) the opening narrative was: “It sadden us to report former Northwestern Assistant Coach Armon Gates was headed to Florida,” while we were gushing over his new experience. After he was reportedly appointed Associate Head Coach in Gatorville, for some unforeseen decision Florida Coach Mike White pulled the unthinkable. This dude back-peddled, particularly odd seeming though Gates spent two weeks toiling the southland wearing Florida garb recruiting. “Was White mired in some sort of unconscious trance where he became indecisive or heard voices that discombobulated his thinking after two-week window?” Armon regarded as one of the bright resourceful Assistants nationally, spent five seasons in the trenches with Chris Collins at Northwestern where he played an instrumental role in their NCAA Tournament run. Because of someone’s indecisiveness, Armon spent a couple days faced with un-true accusation & personal digs, which is a sour wasteland for College baskeball. The startling revelations of vindictiveness surfaced! Is this the new trend of doing business in College hoops? While the temps hover around 80 degrees & sunny in Gainesville, Mike White can now be dubbed as the king of deflections & mis-directions. “Oh, by the way, Armon was hired at Nebraska last week where he will fit in great with Tim Miles and his excellent staff.”

Chicago State’s unusual cast of trustees voted to appoint former controversial Chicago Bear Chris Zorich as its next athletic Director. The school has suffered severely under the states budget crisis, notably the hardest hit among our public state schools. Zorich, a Chicago Vocational Legend, has the dubious task of hiring a men’s as well as women’s Coach within a short period. Hopefully launching his search for a men’s Coach, shouldn’t foster up too much of his vital time. A couple of miles south of the CSU campus resides the Irvin Contingent, namely Lance. Potentially such a hire could infuse some new life & culture into this budget riddled University. The Irvin’s have the castings of a great story-line, especially if they’d revive the sagging program. Stay tuned...

Former Kishwaukee point-guard Bryson Butler will take his stellar floor game to Malone College in Canton, Ohio. The six-foot one athletic performer will sparkle in the GMAC League where he should be able to demonstrate where he was often overlooked by various Division I Programs. I’m sure his goals are to become Division Two All-American and win a National Championship. Kudos to my kid!

Rolling Meadows hot-shot freshman Max Christie took the North-Suburban hoop fans by a storm this past season, while posting some eye-popping outings for a first-year player. The six-foot four wiry scorer averaged 18 points & 8 rebounds a game. The hype engines have been revved-up since December about his play & un-limited potential, after re-visiting him again, suited-up with the Illinois Wolves in Indy, we came away gleeful about his confidence & temperament. He reminds me of one of past highly touted prospects; I can’t quite finger/or frame yet. Max is going to be fun to follow the next few years.

While most of our suburban hoop fans are extremely giddy over Max Christie, our area brandishes a collection of talented blue-chip prospects in our 2022 Class. The No. 1 phenom out of everyone in the area is athletic guard Amari Bailey who goes to Skinner Elementary Hoops with Mac Irvin Fire 16-U and already penciled in as the next future stud at Morgan Park. We witnessed some of Bailey’s special talents which were on display a few weeks ago in a 17-U contest, and his potential is astonishing. Sleeper, 6-7 forward A.J. Casey, who hails from Arbor Middle School in Oak-Forest is a skilled, bouncy cager who has created enough buzz to warrant potential All-American conversation in 3 years. Casey hoops with Mean Streets 14 & 15 U Groups. “Yes, he can play 16-U.” Ariel 5-11 point-guard Jaylen Drane has captivated a stream of admirers with his superb floor game, he likely will attend Simeon. Silky-smooth six-foot four swingman Xavier Amos has made a splash as a really good shooter with exceptional ability to create offense off the balance while finishing at the rim with either hand. Amos, likely will head to Jones College Prep or Whitney Young.

It just might be time to bring back 19-U. With so many graduating seniors opting to re-cast themselves on the club circuit these days, maybe a venue just for them could be regulated. An event on Saturday & Sunday in in April and parts of May, a proposed two or three-week overseas tour in early June. Then the 19’s could perform in a week-day/evening league in July that would pit them versus first year College players only. (Junior College prospects would participate as well). The hosting site could be North Park College or Chicago State. Just a thought…