Aug. 25, 2010
By Skip Myslenski
NUsports.com Special Correspondent
Jimmy Connors, once an irrepressible force in that swath of the world known as the men's tennis tour, once said this of experience. "The problem is that when you get it, you're too damned old to do anything about it."
That, clearly, was the lament of a performer staring hard into the twilight of a glorious career. But, certainly, that is not always the case, a point proven when we check in with 'Cat ballers John Shurna and Alex Marcotullio. The former, coming off a breakout sophomore season, spent part of his summer in Las Vegas working against the NBA stars who will represent the U.S. in the imminent World Championships. The latter, on the cusp of his own sophomore season, spent part of his in Austria playing for Great Britain in the Under-20 European Championships. Both, in their ventures, gained experience that can be applied in the winter months ahead, and now they will get even more as they and the rest of the 'Cats depart Saturday for a 10-day trip to Italy and four games against some professional competition.
THE BEGINNING...
Says Shurna, who last summer played for the United States' Under-19 team that won the World Championship in New Zealand:
Sean Ford, who's (the assistant executive director of) USA Basketball, called me when I was at work and left a message. He asked if I wanted to be part of the U.S. Select Team. As soon as I got on break, I called him back and left him a message that I wanted to be part of it, thank you very much.
I was spot trading as an intern. The Board of Exchange.
It was exciting. It was one of those pinch-me moments, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Says Marcotullio, whose mother was born in Scotland and who holds dual citizenship:
I had put a little effort into it a couple of years ago to see what I could get with my mom's nationality. They heard about that and so they contacted me and I went through all the paperwork and stuff like that.
The tryouts were in Manchester in early June. So I finished up school here a little early, got all my stuff done and went over there.
They made three cuts and I made all of them.
It started with, I think, 24 players. I made the final 12.
THE EXPERIENCE...
Says Shurna, who in his breakout season led the 'Cats in both scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 pg):
It went well. It was a blast.
They told us, the first day we got there, we were essentially the scout team for them (the pros). So they taught us a couple plays the foreign teams would run against them.
We'd practice on our own, the college guys. Then we'd go over to the other gym and scrimmage against them.
Kevin Durant (of the Oklahoma City Thunder). Kevin Love (of the Minnesota Timberwolves). Lamar Odom (of the Lakers). Jeff Green (also of the Thunder).
It was a good time. We were competitive each day. But they got used to playing with each other as days went on, so they got better as well.
It wasn't my favorite moment. But the NBA guys made us sing Gerald Wallace (of the Charlotte Bobcats) happy birthday after one practice. That kind of stands out right now.
No one got posterized. Nothing too bad. Kevin Durant faked me out pretty bad once, but that was about it.
He gave me and in-and-out and he just went in for a layup.
Anytime you get selected to represent your country and be part of USA Basketball, it's an unbelievable opportunity and an honor. Just the chance to represent your country was a great experience.
Says Marcotullio, who shot 48.6 percent from the field and averaged 13.9 ppg while in Austria:
They were happy with how I played. I was happy with how it went. The summer was constructive for me.
We finished sixth. We lost out in a tiebreaker (to Israel) to get further (in a game where he scored 23 and handed out five assists).
The most-memorable moment, we beat Poland, which was one of the favorites in the whole tournament. We came out, we played very tough and beat them something like 90-78. We put it to them. That was a really good feeling and it was a really proud moment for me and my teammates.
I also almost dunked once.
I don't dunk the ball a lot. But, against Poland, I went up probably the highest I've ever jumped. I think my elbow was almost above the rim.
I might be exaggerating a little bit. But it felt I was that high and I could have dunked it, but I didn't. So I'm a little disappointed. But I was up there. I know it.
LESSONS LEARNED...
Says Shurna:
I can't pinpoint one thing. You just put the whole experience in the back of your mind and know that you have to keep working, even when you get tired.
It shows you how much, you can see their work ethic and see how you have to continue to work to get better. It showed the college guys all the different aspects in the game you have to work on.
Just continue to work. And continue the competitive nature. To do well, we're going to have to compete every night. That's going to be important for us.
Says Marcotullio:
It's always good to play against different styles and also against different types of players.
I'd say the players are a little more crafty over there. They're not as athletically gifted as players are in the States. But they know how to play the game and they run sets and they're very fundamentally sound. It's good to play against players like that.
I'm proud of (making the team) and I feel a little more accomplished for going over and doing that. At the same time, I was getting better.
It's good to say you competed against some of the best countries in the world. So it does give a little confidence boost to your game.
AND NOW...
Says Shurna:
I've never been on anything like this (trip) to Italy, but it should be a great opportunity. I'm excited about going to Europe and I think it's a chance for us all to bond together and grow closer as a team.
Says Marcotullio:
I've always wanted to go to Italy. Now we're going and playing basketball. So I'm doing two things I want to do. Travel and play basketball.
I already had the chance to do that this summer. Now to go right back, I'm really excited, the team's really excited.
The change of environment will be good for us. I think it'll bring us together.