Hope for the future

WASHINGTON
The men’s basketball program at George Mason University has certainly benefitted from its Final Four run in 2006. Most notably affected, beyond increased television games, is in recruiting.

Coach Jim Larranaga and his staff are bringing more and more players in that are able to contribute early in their careers rather than waiting and developing for years.

That was no more evident than in last year’s freshman class of Ryan Pearson, Mike Morrison and Andre Cornelius (redshirt frosh Kevin Foster will get his first opportunity to make an impact next season).

The 2009-10 campaign won’t have a shortage of first-year players itching to get a taste of the Colonial Athletic Association competition, either with players like Rashad Whack and Paris Bennett joining the Patriots.

Whack and Bennett opposed one another last week in the 36th Annual Capital Classic at American University’s Bender Arena. Whack’s Capital All-Stars downed Bennett’s National team 129-98 Thursday in D.C.

That was a familiar position for the two, watching each other in enemy apparel as they’ve faced off in various tournaments for years but have yet to play together.
Of course that will change in the summer when the two join each other for team workouts in Fairfax.

“I had met him occasionally. We played [his team] in a tournament,” said Whack, a senior at Bishop McNamara in Maryland. “I’ve talked to him here and there and I talked to him after the game [Saturday]. We knew of each other but we hadn’t really spoken to each other yet.”

“I didn’t know he was going to George Mason until this year,” said Bennett, a 6-foot-6, 220 pound forward. “Today was the first time down here really meeting him, getting to talk to him and everything.”

Not only did they represent opposing teams, they faced off in the game at one point.

“I guarded him a little bit,” Whack said. “Of course, he tried to muscle me a little bit. But he’s a good player and I look forward to playing with him next year.”

“I muscled him but they weren’t trying to give me the ball,” said Bennett, who scored only five points but also had two rebounds and added a block. “I told him he was a little guy, that he could go with me in the open court but I stayed with him.”

Neither is short on confidence even as they prepare to suit up for one of the conference’s perennial top teams. They expect to compete for playing time and to contribute in real, tangible ways when they begin wearing the green-and-gold next winter.

“I’m excited to go to Mason, to go up there and just have fun, work hard to help the team in any way,” said Whack, who will also play in the Reebok All-America Preview Game this weekend at AU. “I’m loving it. I’m going to add a factor to that legacy and keep working hard to help in the future.”

“I think I bring [an attitude of] a great player on and off the court,” Bennett said. “I bring a positive attitude, I have a great IQ and I know the game. I can help players and I think I can be a leader on this team for the next four years.”

Between the two, Whack may have the best opportunity to play earlier. At 6-3, 185 pounds, he bears more than just a passing resemblance to soon-to-be graduated senior John Vaughan, another 6-3, 179-pound guard.

Both have strong, broad shoulders and are comfortable driving or shooting 3-pointers and both hail from Maryland.

At Bishop McNamara, Whack averaged 14.0 points a game and grabbed 4.4 rebounds per night. In addition, he displayed an ability to find his teammates chances as well, recording an average of 2.7 assists; defensively he averaged a block every two games.

“Rashad will join our long line of terrific guards from the state of Maryland,” Larranaga said when the two signed their national letters-of-intent in November. “He is one of the best shooters in the area and is fundamentally sound.”

In addition to the physical build, home state and playing style, Whack also expects people to make another comparison to Vaughan.

“I bring excitement on offense with the outside jumper and on defense guard the best perimeter defenders in the CAA,” Whack said. Vaughan, praised by Larranaga for his defense more times than can be counted, always defended the opposition’s best outside threat.

Whack has been mostly known for his offensive ability, scoring 1,056 career points, good for top four at Bishop McNamara.

Thursday, playing with and against some of the country’s best talent, Whack scored just six points, but also had three assists and a steal in 16 minutes.

“I wanted to show that I can do more than just shoot. I tried to dish the ball and get assists and stuff, create for the team,” he said.

Bennett, out of St. Patrick High School in New Jersey, may eventually succeed small forward Louis Birdsong, also 6-6, 230. As a senior he averaged 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds a game in addition to 1.5 blocks on defense.

“I just think it’s a great situation for me,” he said of heading to Mason. “It’s a great atmosphere, great people-everything about it is good.”

“He has a great feel for the game,” Larranaga said, “and has the ability to make those around him better.”

One more thing Bennett has is high expectations for himself and his future team.

“The coaching staff is good, I’ve got great players coming in with me, great players there and I think we can make a run in the tournament like [they] did in ‘06,” he said.