The Kids Are All Right

Two locals try to help restore junior American basketball to prominence

Comments (0) By John Gonzalez Thursday, Jul 3 2003

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"Yeah, we think about that," Williams says frankly. "Like I said, it's an honor to play for our country, and they try to get the best players to do it, which is why you see so many go on to the NBA. I think that's all of our dreams."

All of that is for later, though. First up is the Global Games, which will be held this week at SMU's Moody Coliseum and showcase the game's brightest stars. Nick Collison, Luke Ridnour and Darko Milicic all played in the Games, and all figured prominently in last week's NBA draft. Should the home boys fail to take home the gold, it wouldn't exactly be a surprise. They are, after all, playing against teams composed mostly of professionals. Where the Europeans live hoops, the Americans, during the collegiate season, are restricted by NCAA rules to 20 hours of practice per week.

Peter Calvin

Daniel Horton, left, and Deron Williams are two local kids trying to make good as gold at the Global Games.

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"That's their job," Horton says. "That's what those guys do every day, all day. We have to go to school, too. But, I don't know, I think we're going to be better prepared for them this time around. We all want to wear that gold medal. That would be something special."