Perhaps the sunny beaches were too alluring. Perhaps the L.A.
traffic was too daunting. Whatever the reason may be, UCLA forward
T.J. Cummings was a no-show at the Say No Classic this weekend.
The Fourth of July holiday came and went, but Cummings was
nowhere to be found on the court. It was not the first time he has
failed to show up for a Say No game.
“I always ask my players after each game who’s going
to come next week,” West Coast Sports coach Mark Sprague
said. “T.J. usually says he’ll come, but …”
Cummings missed the first game with his team West Coast Sports,
and he also came three quarters late when West Coast Sports played
the Salvatori’s Matadors.
Despite his frequent absence, West Coast Sports has managed to
stay undefeated at 4-0, with its average margin of victory over 30
points per game. Perhaps that explains Cummings’ spotted
attendance. Since players don’t formally sign an agreement
that they will play, some players elect to come and go as they
please.
When Cummings did manage to come on time, however, he clearly
was ready to play. He made an immediate impact on every aspect of
the game.
In what amounted to a mere cameo appearance, Cummings put up 15
points, six rebounds and dished out four assists in only 14 minutes
of play.
“He’s one of the most talented, if not the most
dominating player here in the league,” Sprague said. “I
still think he can be one of the best players in the
Pac-10.”
Cummings also showed that he can consistently hit the
three-pointer, and that he has practiced his 10- to 15-foot jump
shot relentlessly. His defense has also improved greatly. He is
lighter on his feet and has shown an awareness to help play team
defense.
“He brings us lots of energy and leadership on the
court,” Cody Pearson of Long Beach State said. “T.J.
can play all five positions, he can play it all “¦ watch
out.”
“I think he’s a very unselfish player and has great
potential,” David Brock of Lassen Community College said.
“If he works hard I think he can go far.”
With attendance low due to the holiday weekend, crowd-pleasing
moves became less important. However, player attendace shows which
players are committed to truly improving their game day in and day
out.
The Say No Classic prides itself on having ballplayers that have
integrity, heart and passion for the game and must be willing to
sacrifice, learn and grow as players and as people.