Coaching character

Some NCAA basketball coaches are making a difference on and off the court

It surprised few last fall when the University of Arizona, a college basketball powerhouse, signed three high school players who are ranked among the best in the nation. Many analysts immediately touted the trio as the top recruiting class in the country.

As heavenly as that may seem to Wildcat fans, the signing trifecta was notable for another reason: Ndudi Ebi (Westbury Christian of Houston), Mustafa Shakur (Friends Central of Wynnewood, Pa.), and Kirk Walters (South Christian of Grand Rapids, Mich.) all are products of religious high schools. Not a coincidence, according to Arizona assistant coach Josh Pastner.

"We're not going to bring in kids who don't have good character," Mr. Pastner said. "Yes, we have great players with great abilities, but they have great character. The success of Coach [Lute] Olson's program for the past 20 years has been built on people with great character."

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January 11, 2003, Vol. 18, No. 1

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