In the name of fun
Once again, defense proved to be little more than a rumor.
But at least this year, the 3,000 or so fans who hung around to witness the final seconds of the second annual Toyota Dan Dickau Charity Classic basketball game at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Atheltic Center were treated to a little drama – much of which was supplied by several past GU stars who decided to take part in the charity event.
J.P. Batista, an immensely popular member of last year’s GU team that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament, celebrated his return to campus by scoring 33 points – including four in the abbreviated 2 1/2-minute overtime period to lead the White team, coached by Dickau, to a 141-135 win over the Blue team.
Richie Frahm, a member of the Bulldogs’ 1999 team that made it to the NCAA’s Elite Eight, led the Blue team in scoring with 32 points, and Adam Morrison, who led the nation in scoring as a teammate of Batista’s last season, added 28 points as a late addition to the Blue team’s roster.
The closeness of the contest was in direct contrast to last year’s inaugural event, which ended up with Dickau’s White team losing 181-155 to a Red team that was led by Dallas Mavericks star Jason Terry.
“It was great; a lot of fun,” said Dickau, a former first-team All-American point guard at GU, who was relegated to coaching this year because of an Achilles tendon injury he suffered last winter while playing for the NBA’s Boston Celtics. “Last year was good, but this year was even better, because it was a close game, and I think the guys played pretty hard.”
The crowd, which only half-filled GU’s 6,000 arena, seemed deeply appreciative of the effort and gave standing ovations to both Batista and Morrison, a first-round pick of the Charlotte Bobcats in this summer’s NBA Draft, when they were introduced before the game.
“It’s always fun to come back here,” said Batista, who signed a professional contract to play in Lithuania earlier in the day after playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA’s Summer League. “I love this place. It’s like my second home. There’s nothing like playing in front of your home crowd.”
Batista, who also pulled down 15 rebounds, said he is scheduled to report to his Lithuanian team later this summer, but plans to play for his home country of Brazil in the upcoming World Basketball Championships prior to that.
Morrison decided to participate after returning earlier this week from Las Vegas where he failed to make the final cut for the team that will represent the United States in the World Championships.
“Adam’s a basketball junkie,” Dickau said. “We knew if he was back in town in time, he was going to play.”
But Dickau said he was just as appreciative of the participation of several other former Zags, including Zach Gourde, who postponed his return to France to play for Feurs Forez Basket in order to play in the game.
“That meant a ton,” Dickau said. “Zach and I have known each other since we were little kids, and for him to stay around to be a part of this shows just how good a friend and person he really is.”
Gourde, who scored 15 points for the Blue team, which was coached by his former GU teammate Blake Stepp, who recently underwent knee surgery, was scheduled to make the trip back to France today.
Dickau said he was pleased with the turnout and plans to stage the event, which benefits several local charities, again next year.