Chris Bosh

8/8: "We've also heard rumors about 6'10 Chris Bosh from Dallas (Lincoln) TX and 6'10 Shavlik Randolph from Raleigh (Broughton) NC going straight to the league. Well, Bosh's AAU coach Mitch Malone says that won't happen. Not only does he mention the fact that Bosh is still raw and has a lot of developing to do, but he also cites another one of his former players, KENYON MARTIN, who attended four years of college and as a senior was the consenus National College Player-of-the-Year, as an example of how important the college experience can be in terms of getting a player ready for the league." - HoopScoop

8/1: "Bosh is still down to four schools -- Florida, Michigan, Georgia Tech and Miami," (Texas Blue Chip Head Coach Mitch) Malone stated. "There won't be any schools added, no North Carolina, that won't happen." - RivalsHoops

7/28: "Add Bryan Hopkins to the list...and he is a teammate of Chris Bosh? Package deal possibilities?" - AllStar Report

7/9: "At first glance, Bosh looks like he may not be able to accomplish all that much inside. His knees sort-of point inward, and his very thin frame suggests that the bigger insiders could move him away from the basket. And they can, to a degree Ü which is exactly where Bosh likes to be. Chris wields a remarkably accurate mid-range jumper in the lane. No matter the side, he'll spin into the middle and fire over anyone who attempts to block his shot. If they take that away from him, he simply uses his quickness to get to the rim. Bosh even showed range to three-point distance on Sunday; we probably won't see him spotting up from outside in college, but down the road his shooting range could make a major asset in the NBA. In addition to his offensive skills, Chris also is a talented shot-blocker who has long arms and elevates quickly off the floor. In his primetime matchup against top center Sani Ibrahim, Bosh was able to bother Sani's face-up jumper from short-range. Bosh told PrepStars.com after the game that he's looking primarily at four schools – Georgia Tech, Florida, Miami and hard-charging Michigan. When prompted, Chris also could deliver a leader. "If I had to say, then Florida probably leads," Bosh said. "But I like all the schools on my list a lot. Nothing's close to being decided. I'm going to take some visits and see how everything is. I'll probably decide by the end of the summer." - PrepStars abcd Camp Report

6/26/01: "Dallas (TX) Lincoln PF Chris Bosh isn’t making a June 20 visit to Missouri as some originally thought he might. However, he is going to take a few more trips prior to the adidas ABCD Camp. Bosh says his recruitment is coming along, but it’s pretty slow right now. Before he goes camping, he would like to take unofficial visits to Miami and Memphis. He’ll try and see Missouri shortly after the July evaluation period ends. The list reads Florida, Memphis, Missouri, Georgia Tech and Miami. Bosh plays with the Texas Blue Chips and will be at the Big Time in Las Vegas. At one time, he was thought to be part of a package deal with AAU teammate Daniel Horton. However, Horton committed independently to Michigan and you’ll notice the Wolverines aren’t on Bosh’s list. We understand that Louisville is also interested in Bosh and might be trying to make a push." - Blue Chip Hoops (moved to Inactive)

6/6: "Chris Bosh of Dallas Lincoln hasn’t seen a campus of any of the five schools that are on his list. Not one of them. Well, that’s about to change as he heads to Florida this weekend for camp with the Gators. “Hopefully this summer I can see all of the campuses,” Bosh said. All of the campuses mean Florida, Missouri, Memphis, Miami-FL and Georgia Tech. Those are the five schools he’s looking at right now. Bosh thinks he has offers from pretty much all of them. “You know how people say things without saying them? That’s basically what it is.” So, what would happen if the Gators pressed him for a commitment this weekend? “At least let me see all of the campuses first,” Bosh laughed. “It would be flattering but I would want to see at least one other.” Bosh will play this summer with the Texas Blue Chips at the adidas Big Time, Three Stripes Best of the Best and Double Pump event. He’ll attend ABCD Camp. Bosh sees himself as a versatile power forward, one that isn’t committed to just banging bodies all the time. “I like to work off of a mismatch if there is one. With a bigger guy I like to pop out and go around him. If it’s a smaller guy I can post up or if the coach will let me I can start a Fastbreak. I don’t want to be stuck down in the paint. I like getting points down there … I can do it but I like to handle it a bit.” - Blue Chip Hoops

5/15: "All Star Report spoke with Chris Bosh, a 6-10, 205 lb., rising senior from Dallas, Texas (Lincoln H.S.) after he helped lead his team to the 17-Under championship title at the Jayhawk Invitational.
Bosh told us that currently he is very interested in Memphis, Missouri, Florida, and Georgia Tech. "I like those four a lot, but I'm still open." Bosh told us that he's looking for a "good basketball program with a winning tradition." Academics will also play a big role in his decision. "I will take some visits before making my decision," said Bosh, who added that he hopes to sign during the Early Signing Period this fall. Bosh told us he has an 87% average and will take the SAT for the first time in June. He will compete this spring and summer with the Texas Blue Chips program and is expected to attend the Adidas ABCD Camp this July.

Scouting Report on Bosh: An agile big man who can handle the basketball, Chris has an inside/outside game that causes problems for those who have to defend him. In the low post he possesses an effective turn around baseline jumper from about 10-feet. While he's not a consistent threat from the perimeter, Bosh has improved his stroke from the outside. He is an excellent defensive rebounder who is also capable of blocking or altering an opponent's shot attempt. Bosh's biggest issue at this point is his weight. Once he adds some bulk to his frame he will be even more effective on the low blocks. National Ranking: Chris is currently considered by many analysts to be a Top 50-60 nationally rated prospect in his class." - Bob Gibbons

5/15: "The tourney MVP from Dallas (TX) Lincoln. The 6-10 BF showed flashes of brilliance. Blessed with nice interior moves around the bucket, he can finish with athleticism and authority, and he runs the open floor like a wing player. Bosh showed signs of a developing mid-range game as well. He's another kid who needs to hit the weight room and learn to be focused all the time, but it is easy to see why schools like Florida, Mizzou, Georgia Tech and Memphis are drooling." - PrepStars

5/15: "The four schools he mentioned to me were Florida, Memphis, Missouri, and Georgia Tech." - Jeremy Tiers, All Star Report

5/14: "Tournament MVP Chris Bosh, a 6-10 BF from Dallas (TX) Lincoln, displayed a nice array of up-and-under moves to the bucket, and he stuck a couple of hanging six- to eight-foot jumpers for good measure. (snips) He scored on a variety of nifty moves and monstrous jams, and he also showed a nice ability to draw contact and get himself to the line. Bosh led the way for the Blue Chips with 23 points and 10 boards. It's impossible to overstate the quality of Chris Bosh's performance here this weekend. Bosh showed just how dominant he can be when he is attacking the rim and playing with intensity. He is a tremendous run-and-jump athlete who kind of looks and plays like a lefty Jermaine O'Neal. He dunked, he blocked shots, he shot free throws, he rebounded, and he ran the floor and attacked the hoop. His stock will only rise if he continues to play this throughout the rest of the spring and summer. He expressed no desire to jump into an early commitment when asked about his decision-making process. The big man listed Missouri, Georgia Tech, Memphis and Florida as the four "definite" schools on his list. He has an 86 average in the classroom and will take his first shot at the SAT in June." - Jayhawk Invitational Info, Prepstars

5/10/01: 43rd best junior in the USA. - School Sports.com

4/12/01:
Interview with (Florida) Gator Sports:

GSR: How did your junior season go?
CB: "I think I had a strong season. I didn’t finish with the exclamation point that I wanted to - but you know sometimes that happens. So I’m going to keep working even more so it will be better next year."

GSR: Looking at your game - What do you feel you do best on the court?
CB: "I think I work off the mismatch the best. If there’s someone bigger than me I think I can go around them and if it’s someone smaller than me I can put my back to the basket and back them down."

GSR: What do you need to work on?
CB: "The main thing I need to work on right now is the right hand - using my offhand. I also have to work on creating my own shot off the dribble - getting to the cup off the dribble."

GSR: What position do you believe you project to on the next level?
CB: "I was leaning towards small forward but I keep growing. I really don’t know how tall I’m going to get - I thought I was through last year but I kept going up."

GSR: What college or pro player would you compare yourself to?
CB: "The person I model my game after is Kevin Garnett."

GSR: Turning to recruiting - what schools are looking at you?
CB: "You know it’s a lot of schools. I couldn’t sit here and name them all."

GSR: What teams have seen you play?
CB: "I know Georgia Tech, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina have been here. Texas, SMU, Baylor and Missouri have been here too."

GSR: Do you have a leader or a top tier of schools?
CB: "Not right now - I’m trying to see what they’re all about. I’m trying to narrow it all down with my family and my coach. I want to see who’s all still out there. I’m trying to get a list - but it’s harder than I expected. I’m looking at the big time schools that you see on TV all the time - Arizona, North Carolina, Florida and Missouri."

GSR: What schools do you feel are recruiting you the hardest?
CB: "Mainly the Texas schools, North Carolina and Florida. Those are the main ones. Missouri is there too."

GSR: Do you have any offers?
CB: "Not that I know of."

GSR: What schools have you visited?
CB: "They’ve (coaches) asked me to visit - but I haven’t been anywhere yet. They’re asking me to take some visits - but I haven’t been able because of my schedule."

GSR: Who will you play your AAU ball with this summer?
CB: "Texas Bluechips."

GSR: Where will you camp this summer?
CB: "I’m going to be at ABCD."

GSR: Will you attend any college camps?
CB: "I don’t know. I’m getting mail on them - but I’ve got to talk to my parents and see if it interferes with my AAU schedule."

GSR: What type of offense do you want to play in?
CB: "A fast paced offense that looks down low a lot. I want a team that can run with the ball and run their offense too."
GATOR SPORTS


2/20/01: "The lowdown: Bosh (6-9) has the size to play the post. He averages 18.0 points, 11.6 rebounds for No. 1 Class 4A Lincoln. Daniel Horton and Bosh play together on a summer league team called the Texas Blue Chips. Bosh has soft touch, too, so he's comfortable away from the basket.
What they're saying: "He can play a lot of positions," Cedar Hill's Horton said. "He's so tall, teams have to guard him with their 4 and 5 men [power forward and center]. He can drive by those guys." - Dallas Morning News




2/18/01: "UNCbasketball.com has learned that Tar Heel assistant coach Doug Wojcik was in Dallas last Tuesday to watch junior Chris Bosh. Bosh, a 6-9, 203-pound forward at Dallas (TX) Lincoln, did not attend one of the two major shoe camps last summer, but turned heads at the Adidas Big Time tournament in Las Vegas and has since grabbed the attention of major college coaches and recruiting analysts.

FOXSports.com's Jacey Zembal ranks Bosh as the No. 11 player in the junior class. "He has good ball-handling skills for a 6-9 player and he has an excellent outside shot," head coach L.E. Bishop said in a January interview with UNCbasketball.com (see link below). "I think, being 6-9, his strength is his agility, ball-handling skills and shooting-the combination of them--the fact that he can do a lot of things with the ball at his height." - UNC Basketball

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http://uncbasketball.com/stories/012301_bosh_game.shtml
INTERVIEW WITH UNCBASKETBALL.COM
UNCbasketball.com: What are you looking for as you consider schools?
Chris: A good basketball program. Not only that, but a winning tradition... that I know what's expected of me and a school with a good academic program because I'll need something else to fall back on. Basketball is good but it's not always going to be there. [Also] good players to help me out or that I can help somebody else.

UNCbasketball.com: How important is academics to you in looking at a school?
Chris: It's real important. My mother and my father, they really stress academics because, if you can't pass, you don't play, obviously. Plus, if you go to college and get your degree that's a major accomplishment because you know you can work anywhere.

UNCbasketball.com: Do you have an inclination toward any particular area of study?
Chris: As far as academics I lean toward computer graphic design or radio/television broadcasting because that's what I'm in, in the magnet [Dallas Lincoln HS]. We do some broadcasting but it's more like prep. You don't actually get to broadcast but you get "hands on." We learn from the perspective of writing and producing--we do both sides. Our teacher taught us, "if you want to do this, we've got to learn from all points."

UNCbasketball.com: What position do you see yourself playing in college?
Chris: It doesn't really matter to me. Whatever they want me to play. Wherever they put me. If they want to put me at center, point guard ... I don't really have a preference. Mostly either the 3 or the 4, because that's more fitting. 5 is like a power dude. You know I'm pretty thin so… I like to move around people.

UNCbasketball.com: You said "point guard?"
Chris: Yes sir. If they want me to play point guard, I'll play it.

UNCbasketball.com: Tell me about your game. Break it down for me. If I'm seeing you for the first time, what am I going to notice first?
Chris: I get up and down the floor quick! Our coaches stress the transition game. I just know if you sprint up and down the court, that makes a big difference. If I get down on this point and if I get down on that point-defensive- and offensive-wise, that makes a big difference. More points, more layups, more rebounds.

UNCbasketball.com: How important is immediate playing time to you?
Chris: Immediate playing time, it's kind of important but, to me, if I go in and play, I'll be happy with it. But, if I don't ... Anybody is going to better with [immediate playing time] but you just got to take it and that'll just make me work harder.

UNCbasketball.com: What is your impression of the University of North Carolina?
Chris: They've got a real good team. Obviously they've got a good team to be in the top 10 in the country. Obviously they're good and they've got a good winning tradition. I just like watching them. You see them on TV all the time. They play some teams-they're pretty tough.

UNCbasketball.com: What's your impression of the coaching staff? Coach Wojcik has been to see you practice.
Chris: I haven't really met any coaches, but from far away. This summer-Coach Doherty out in California.

UNCbasketball.com: You were with the Texas Blue Chips out in California?
Chris: Yes.

UNCbasketball.com: If you could have a "dream career"-high school, college and beyond, what would it look like?
Chris: Winning a championship on each level, that would be anybody's dream. I'd really like to play in the "league." I'm just going to try my best-good, hard work.

UNCbasketball.com: Are you better facing the basket or playing with your back to the basket?
Chris: I think on somebody shorter than me I'm best playing with my back to the basket. With somebody taller or bigger, I'm best facing the basket. It all depends on who's guarding me.

UNCbasketball.com: How's your free throw shooting?
Chris: I'm struggling a little bit now.

UNCbasketball.com: Where do most of your points seem to come from?
Chris: In the paint-that's where I always come from.

UNCbasketball.com: Tell me about your defense.
Chris: Basically I just stay in front of my person. I try rarely to go for steals or gamble and I try to block shots. When I can't block them, I try to remember to pick up the offensive charge. Sometimes when you're watching the ball that's hard. I go for the block sometimes and even if it's not a foul, they call a foul. I try to get into position to block shots or take the charge.

UNCbasketball.com: Who do you pattern your game after?
Chris: Kevin Garnett.

UNCbasketball.com: What do you like about his game?
Chris: He can block shots. He can get into a ball fake and take you off the dribble. And in the paint he rarely plays with his back to the basket. If he catches the ball in the post, he'll face you up, pivot and face you. He's like a threat, offensively and defensively.

UNCbasketball.com: Have you ever seen a big guy able to move like him?
Chris: That's why he's my favorite player.

UNCbasketball.com: Have you ever been seriously injured?
Chris: Not since I've been in high school-no serious injuries.

UNCbasketball.com: What's your favorite thing about being recruited?
Chris: I'd say my favorite thing is just to see what everybody has to say. People will tell you this and tell you that but I like to see things for myself. And you see if it's true by watching them on television or watching SportsCenter.

UNCbasketball.com: Do you ever get tired of the recruiting stuff?
Chris: Not yet, but I'm not going to say yet.

UNCbasketball.com: Who's the toughest player you've ever played against?
Chris: [no answer, just smiled]

UNCbasketball.com: Are you going to play summer league ball?
Chris: Of course. Playing at the [Las Vegas] "Big Time"

UNCbasketball.com: What are your interests and hobbies?
Chris: Hobbies . . . I kind of went full-time basketball but you know, I can draw a little bit. That's basically it on my hobbies.

UNCbasketball.com: What person do you most look up to in life?
Chris: My dad because I look at other people sometimes and they don't have a father. He's still here with me. He'll get on me all the time and stress work and basketball. He'll come to all my games. He's just been there for me.

UNCbasketball.com: What are your goals in life?
Chris: I plan to get a bachelor's degree of course. Get a well-paying job and be able to look back on all this and say how it helped me. And do something where my Mom and my Dad will be proud of me regardless.

QUESTION FOR HIS COACH:
UNCbasketball.com: Tell us about some of the colleges that are expressing an interest in Chris.
Coach Bishop: At this present time he's probably receiving letters from at least 50 universities-at least 50. We're talking about every college that's in the state of Texas. I'm talking about Texas, A&M, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, SMU-[all] on a regular basis. And then there's Cincinnati, Kansas State, Iowa, Florida, Florida State, Memphis, naturally North Carolina. And we could go on and on. Just look at this [shuffling through the day's mail on his desk] -Tennessee, UTEP, Wisconsin, Georgia, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State-and this is a regular basis! And these universities are not just calling. Most of them have been out here to watch his practice once." - L.E. Bishop, head coach at Dallas (TX) Lincoln High School, regarding junior Chris Bosh.
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12/5/00: "this rangy athletic left hander has some incredibly polished offensive moves for such a young prospect. Texas sources already claim that "he will be the best player in the junior class before it's all said and done." - High Major Hoops

7/19/00: "Rangy 6-9 lefty PF Chris Bosh from Dallas Lincoln High is a very agile, mobile, thin athlete with long arms and tremendous potential because he can shoot the ball and handle it. He's a very talented skill player and will be high on our lists next year." - Brick O., CNN SI