DMN story on Shady
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:39 pmSOC's Arthur is establishing his legacy
Star tries for another state title
12:33 PM CST on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / Staff Writer
South Oak Cliff coach James Mays II sighed, shook his head and cast his eyes downward.
"Two more games, and that's it," he said. "Life after Darrell. Oh, it's going to be hard."
But he's not gone yet. Mays' 6-9 McDonald's All-American, Darrell "Shady" Arthur, will close his high school career this week at the state tournament in Austin. His performance will determine not only if SOC can win back-to-back 4A titles, but also how Arthur will be remembered among the long list of elite Dallas-produced big men.
Last year, Arthur had 22 points and 17 rebounds in a breathtaking dunk-fest in the title game. If that's any indication, he could have two monster games left in him.
"It's going to be big," said Arthur, who will be playing in his third state tournament.
Arthur is known for playing his best when it matters most. He likes big crowds and big-time matchups. He held his own this season against two top national recruits, forwards Kevin Durant (Texas) and Curtis Kelly (Connecticut).
In Saturday's showdown with Dallas ISD rival Seagoville in the Region II tournament final, Arthur had 30 points and 15 rebounds. He took over for a stretch in the third quarter, scoring inside and making steals and assists.
"I was just giving it my all," Arthur said. "At one point, I said, 'Give me the ball, and I'll score every time.' They did. It was fun."
Mays said the performance was just as good as Arthur's in the title game last season. But Mays said Arthur has another show to put on.
"I wouldn't want to go to a final four with anybody but him because I know what's on his mind this weekend," Mays said. "He's going to fight. The other kids, they're going to fight, too. They follow him when he plays like that."
Though Arthur dominates big games, he has been criticized for not always playing his best and for being passive in lower-profile games.
"Some games, I know we're going to win, and I don't go out there and play as hard," Arthur said. "But every big game, I always step up."
Mays said, "He doesn't have the normal killer instinct that top players have. He has a kill-when-necessary type deal."
Texas basketball guru Mike Kunstadt of TexasHoops.com said the major difference between Arthur and Chris Bosh, the Lincoln-ex and Toronto Raptors star, is that Bosh played at a high level night in and night out his senior year. But Kunstadt said when Arthur is motivated, there is no matching him.
"When he decided to dominate, there's no question he was awesome," Kunstadt said. "When he plays like he played this weekend, he was the best player in the state."
Arthur, who said his pregame routine is listening to rap on his CD player and thinking about his defensive assignments and offensive plays, has made it a point in the playoffs to work in the post. Inside is still where he is at his best, making blocks, putting back rebounds and slamming in dunks.
But Arthur is skilled and mobile for his size, which bodes well for a career as a wing or small forward in college and, quite likely, the NBA.
Arthur, ranked No. 19 nationally by Rivals.com, is one of the top uncommitted players in the nation. Despite rumors that he has committed somewhere, he said he doesn't plan on picking a school until after the state tournament.
Arthur was considering Baylor, SMU and Kansas but leaning toward Indiana until coach Mike Davis said he wouldn't return. Now Kansas is his favorite, and its coaches are regularly spotted in Mays' basement office off the SOC locker room. But Arthur said he's also considering Texas, Oklahoma, UNLV and Arizona.
"There's nothing wrong with listening," said Mays, who handles most of the recruiting hubbub along with Arthur's AAU coach Jazzy Hartwell and Arthur's mom, Sandra.
Arthur, whose parents attended SOC, gave his championship ring from last season to his mother. He said he would like to win another for himself. He said he's really not worried about his stats.
But no other Dallas-area McDonald's All-American has led his team to back-to-back championships, and Arthur said he's aware of what this weekend could mean.
"We'd be writing history," Arthur said. "It'd be good to get two rings. Everybody would remember you."
E-mail [email protected]
Star tries for another state title
12:33 PM CST on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / Staff Writer
South Oak Cliff coach James Mays II sighed, shook his head and cast his eyes downward.
"Two more games, and that's it," he said. "Life after Darrell. Oh, it's going to be hard."
But he's not gone yet. Mays' 6-9 McDonald's All-American, Darrell "Shady" Arthur, will close his high school career this week at the state tournament in Austin. His performance will determine not only if SOC can win back-to-back 4A titles, but also how Arthur will be remembered among the long list of elite Dallas-produced big men.
Last year, Arthur had 22 points and 17 rebounds in a breathtaking dunk-fest in the title game. If that's any indication, he could have two monster games left in him.
"It's going to be big," said Arthur, who will be playing in his third state tournament.
Arthur is known for playing his best when it matters most. He likes big crowds and big-time matchups. He held his own this season against two top national recruits, forwards Kevin Durant (Texas) and Curtis Kelly (Connecticut).
In Saturday's showdown with Dallas ISD rival Seagoville in the Region II tournament final, Arthur had 30 points and 15 rebounds. He took over for a stretch in the third quarter, scoring inside and making steals and assists.
"I was just giving it my all," Arthur said. "At one point, I said, 'Give me the ball, and I'll score every time.' They did. It was fun."
Mays said the performance was just as good as Arthur's in the title game last season. But Mays said Arthur has another show to put on.
"I wouldn't want to go to a final four with anybody but him because I know what's on his mind this weekend," Mays said. "He's going to fight. The other kids, they're going to fight, too. They follow him when he plays like that."
Though Arthur dominates big games, he has been criticized for not always playing his best and for being passive in lower-profile games.
"Some games, I know we're going to win, and I don't go out there and play as hard," Arthur said. "But every big game, I always step up."
Mays said, "He doesn't have the normal killer instinct that top players have. He has a kill-when-necessary type deal."
Texas basketball guru Mike Kunstadt of TexasHoops.com said the major difference between Arthur and Chris Bosh, the Lincoln-ex and Toronto Raptors star, is that Bosh played at a high level night in and night out his senior year. But Kunstadt said when Arthur is motivated, there is no matching him.
"When he decided to dominate, there's no question he was awesome," Kunstadt said. "When he plays like he played this weekend, he was the best player in the state."
Arthur, who said his pregame routine is listening to rap on his CD player and thinking about his defensive assignments and offensive plays, has made it a point in the playoffs to work in the post. Inside is still where he is at his best, making blocks, putting back rebounds and slamming in dunks.
But Arthur is skilled and mobile for his size, which bodes well for a career as a wing or small forward in college and, quite likely, the NBA.
Arthur, ranked No. 19 nationally by Rivals.com, is one of the top uncommitted players in the nation. Despite rumors that he has committed somewhere, he said he doesn't plan on picking a school until after the state tournament.
Arthur was considering Baylor, SMU and Kansas but leaning toward Indiana until coach Mike Davis said he wouldn't return. Now Kansas is his favorite, and its coaches are regularly spotted in Mays' basement office off the SOC locker room. But Arthur said he's also considering Texas, Oklahoma, UNLV and Arizona.
"There's nothing wrong with listening," said Mays, who handles most of the recruiting hubbub along with Arthur's AAU coach Jazzy Hartwell and Arthur's mom, Sandra.
Arthur, whose parents attended SOC, gave his championship ring from last season to his mother. He said he would like to win another for himself. He said he's really not worried about his stats.
But no other Dallas-area McDonald's All-American has led his team to back-to-back championships, and Arthur said he's aware of what this weekend could mean.
"We'd be writing history," Arthur said. "It'd be good to get two rings. Everybody would remember you."
E-mail [email protected]