Basisphilosophie » young man silently plies his trade on fine hardwood

There are no guarantees in this life, but in a world where everything bigger, newer and shinier gets the most attention, a young man silently plies his trade on fine hardwood courts throughout the heartland of America in hope of realizing a grand dream. This young man was once Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, a four-year player under the radar of many scouts and the average college basketball fan, doing work at tiny Weber State in Utah. Undeterred, despite the presence of other more high visibility draft picks, Lillard went on to earn the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and is now an All-Star in his second year in the Association. Now the names changed, but the aims the same. Brampton, Ontarios Melvin Ejim, a senior small forward for Iowa State Cyclones, may be next. With all of the hoopla in college basketball going to freshmen, a couple of whom play in his conference (Kansass Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid,) as well as a sophomore who many thought would enter the NBA Draft last year in Marcus Smart, Melvin Ejim is standing out as the leading scorer on one of the best teams in the Big 12. I had the chance to catch up with Ejim earlier this week. Whats the secret to your success? Its just a lot of hard work and dedication. Those guys [Wiggins, Embiid and Smart] are great players and have the big names in our conference. But were competing. Im playing hard and doing the best I can do to help my team win. Why choose Iowa State? They were the first to recruit me. They treated me well. I felt comfortable from the start with them. I wasnt this heavily recruited guy. They told me I had a chance to come in right away and play…make an impact and I did. Iowa State allowed me to grow and help change the culture here. This being my last semester, I dont carry a heavy class load now. I get to spend a lot more time in the gym, working on my game, getting better. Its pretty typical: breakfast, class, gym, study… What has been the biggest change in how people perceive you now vs. your first 3 years? Ive grown a lot. When I first got here, I was kind of rowdy…my game was unrefined…rough. Some people doubted that I could play at this level. Honestly, I questioned it at times, too. I turned the corner in my junior year when I knew not only could I play and be successful at this level, but also started thinking about what I could do to be successful at the next level. How has coach Fred “The Mayor” Hoiberg helped you and the development of your game? Its been great with Coach Fred. Hes been a friend and a mentor, on and off the court. I mean, he was a star here at Iowa State and played 10 years in the NBA, so he knows what it takes to be successful in college and the pros. Ive grown so much watching him here and how he handles things. Coach is so cool, calm and collected. Watching him helped me to shape my on-court demeanor, where Ive been able to control my emotions when necessary and show them at the right times. What team in the NBA do you see as best fit for Melvin Ejim next season? Really, it doesnt matter. To make it to the NBA is a dream…Id be happy! Any team that is willing to take a chance on me, Id be happy to be a part of. Any team that values an all-around player wholl work hard, comes in with a winning attitude from a winning culture may like a player like me. If Melvin Ejim wasnt playing basketball for a living somewhere next year, what would he be doing? Id be in law school. I want to help people…help society. Thats definitely a goal of mine. Congratulations on being the inaugural Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2013, but which would mean more to you: being named NCAA Scholar Athlete of The Year 2014 or being a Naismith Award winner as the best college basketball player in the country? Oh, thats easy. Its a no brainer, really - the Naismith. I knew I wouldnt have any issues with my schooling. That was going to be handled, regardless. While its be great to be an Academic All-American, to be recognized as the best player in college basketball would be a great feeling. It would be a great accomplishment. What helps your draft stock more: dropping the Big 12 scoring record (48 point with 18 rebounds vs. TCU) or winning the Big 12 and eventually a national title, even if you dont play well? Winning is everything to me. Thats my attitude. While hitting 48 definitely got me some recognition in certain places, Id trade that 48 any day to win the conference and win the NCAA title. Winning matters to me. 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PAUL, Minn – The clock lingered for what seemed like an interminable two minutes and 51 seconds before Mark Fraser finally escaped to the bench during a wildly one-sided first period of an eventual loss to Boston. DeSean Jackson Eagles Jersey . The New York State Supreme Court only partially dismissed the lawsuit, meaning the case could be headed for trial. The tour announced a year ago that Singh would be suspended for saying in a Sports Illustrated story that he took deer antler spray, which was believed to contain the banned substance IGF-1.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Running back Fred Jackson immediately waved off the Buffalo Bills training staff once the cart pulled up along the sideline. "Yeah, I knew it was out there," Jackson recalled Monday. "And I knew I didnt need it." Sore as his sprained left knee felt a day earlier, Jackson had no intention of being carted off during a game at Miami for the second time in two years. Rather than climb aboard, Jackson grabbed his helmet and headed back on the field, where he proceeded to play a key role in a 23-21 win over the Dolphins. "Oh yeah, I was motivated," said Jackson, still stung by the memory of breaking his right leg at Miami in November 2011. "That was something that ran through my mind yesterday. And I wanted to be out there." Wearing a brace hes had on since first hurting his knee three weeks ago, Jackson persevered in producing a gutty performance that continued to solidify his position as the Bills vocal and inspirational leader. He scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter after aggravating the injury a series earlier, when teammate Scott Chandler rolled into the side of Jacksons knee on the sideline. And he was still at it in the final minutes. Jackson gained 16 yards on three consecutive carries -- including a 10-yard run to convert a third-and-4 at the Dolphins 28 -- to set up Dan Carpenters game-winning 31-yard field goal with 33 seconds left. He finished with 36 yards rushing and 49 yards receiving in helping the Bills (3-4) snap a two-game skid and win a road game for the first time since Oct. 14, 2012, at Arizona. And dont be surprised to see Jackson playing this Sunday at New Orleans (5-1). "Its definitely sore today," Jackson said. "But I expect to be out there. Ill do everything I can." His teammates would expect nothing less from the seven-year veteran. "Hes got a lot of heart. Hes one of those guys whos a natural leader," guard Kraig Urbik said. "When we need a little pick up or need a little extra, hes always the guy to provide it. Hes one of those guys that we always rallly behind.dddddddddddd" Jacksons resilience is beginning to reflect the identity of a young team that has shown no signs of quit this season despite a series of injuries to key regulars -- including rookie quarterback EJ Manuel (sprained right knee). Buffalos three wins have been determined by a combined 6 points, and four losses determined by a combined 25. And the Bills have either led or been within a score of the lead in all seven games. Thats well ahead of the modest expectations that came with a team that underwent a near top-to-bottom overhaul this off-season and hasnt been to the playoffs in 13 seasons -- the NFLs longest active drought. "Im extremely proud," rookie coach Doug Marrone said. "Were fighting, fighting, fighting. And thats what were going to keep doing. ... Granted, were not happy with the record or where were at, but were working on changing that every single day." Marrone singled out Jackson for the leadership hes provided. "I think Fred is an outstanding pro, and he leads by example," Marrone said. "Theres a lot of youth in him which were very happy with." Youth is a relative term for Jackson. At 32, hes not sure how many more seasons hes got left, or how much longer his wobbly left knee can hold up this season. That leaves him focusing on short-term objectives, such as doing everything he can to turn the Bills into winners this season. "Weve got a great opportunity in front of us right now. And I want to be a part of it," Jackson said. "The confidence in this locker room is sky-high in here. We believe in ourselves. And theres nothing more powerful than a locker room that has confidence in itself." NOTES: Bills LB Manny Lawson (hamstring) is expected to be limited in returning to practice this week after he was hurt Sunday. ... Buffalo has allowed two TDs rushing this season, the teams fewest through seven games since allowing two in 1982, according to STATS LLC. ... The Bills and Broncos are the NFLs only two teams to have scored at least 20 points in each game this season. ' ' '