South Philly Review

Neumann-Goretti grad Scoop Jardine is a member of the the USA Basketball Men’s Select team.

Following this week, Antonio “Scoop” Jardine and Marcus Morris are hoping to prove what happens in Vegas does not have to stay in Vegas. The two soon-to-be juniors are partnering with 18 college standouts to form the 2010 USA Basketball Men’s Select team. This group has spent the week engaging in training sessions with the USA Basketball Men’s National team, a squad featuring 21 NBA stars, including Sixers swingman Andre Iguodala.

For Jardine, a guard for Upsate New York-based Syracuse University, and Morris, a power forward for the  University of Kansas, putting their talents against those of superstars offers endless possibility for growth.

“It’s an honor to  be a part of this team,” Jardine, who prepped at Ss. Neumann-Goretti, 1736 S. 10th St., said Tuesday via phone.

Hailing from the 1800 block of South Taylor Street, the 6-foot-2 speedster learned of his selection July 8 through Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, who also chairs the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee. Jardine’s involvement adds another plus to an already promising summer. In June, he participated in the CP3 Elite Guard Camp in North Carolina, a gathering that New Orleans Hornets all-star point guard Chris Paul hosts.

“I’ve been playing well this summer, so when coach told me, I knew I was ready for the intense competition,” Jardine said.

Playing in the Big East Conference, he could author a book on fierce action. This past season, he returned from an injury to his left leg that cost him the whole ’08-’09 campaign. In 35 games, he averaged 9.1 points and 4.3 assists, with highs of 26 points against the University of California and nine assists against Robert Morris University and St. Francis (N.Y.) College.

His efforts garnered him the Sixth Man of the Year Award from The Sporting News and resulted in 30 wins for the Orange, one week atop toe Coaches’ Poll and a NCAA Tournament regional semifinals appearance where they lost to eventual runners-up Butler University.

“I arrived here Sunday and went right to practicing,” he revealed of the rapid pace of the week.

Monday brought a private training session for Jardine among his college comrades, with the other weekdays calling for clashes with their elder ballers.

“It’s been intense. I have had some soreness in my knees and thighs, but I have never experienced anything like this,” Jardine said. “I get to see how the pros work and what they go through.”

An encounter with Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups has delighted Jardine the most so far.

“He’s one of my favorite players, and I learned that he knows about me,” the 21-year-old said. “Carmelo [Anthony] forces him to watch our games since he went to Syracuse, too,”
The Nuggest star led Syracuse to the ’03 title.

Over the week, Jardine has decided not to focus on individual accolades.

“I’m here to help the big guys get where they need to go.”

Morris voiced similar goals.

“I want to help these guys to win championships,” the 6-foot-8 product of Prep Charter, 1928 Point Breeze Ave., said.

Morris learned of his selection from coach Bill Self in June. His participation gives his summer three prominent confidence boosters. Late last month, he trekked to Chicago for the Amar’e Stoudemire Skills Camp, named after the New York Knicks’ top offseason acquisition. Earlier this month, he joined the LeBron James Skills Academy, named after former Cleveland Cavaliers stud who recently signed with the Miami Heat, in Akron, Ohio.

“I am really enjoying the week. I’m getting to be around the players and to know them as more than competitors,” Morris, whose twin Markieff also plays for Kansas, said.

In his sophomore season, Morris averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds. His highs were 26 points against Lehigh University in the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament opener and 11 rebounds against Oakland University and the University of Nebraska.