From out of nowhere
Monday, November 26, 2007 | 04:45 PM ET
Six and a half years ago, two U.S. junior college players entered their names in the NBA draft. Both were 6-foot-8 forwards who, based on their athleticism, oozed potential. But they were up against considerable odds: no junior college player had ever been drafted in the first round before. For most JuCo players, the leap was to a big Division I school like Oklahoma or Tennessee, not the NBA.
One of them, as it turned out, bucked the odds and was taken in the lottery, earning himself millions of dollars in guaranteed money. The other wasn't so lucky. He wasn't drafted, got an invitation to join the Milwaukee Bucks summer league team, but didn't get a training camp invite.
The story doesn't end there, however.
The first fellow's name is Kedrick Brown, and after five forgettable seasons with Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia, he's down in the minors, playing for the Anaheim Arsenal in the National Basketball Development League.
The second fellow? His name is Jamario Moon.
On Sunday, Moon was flying high with the Toronto Raptors, scoring 15 points and also blocking six shots, grabbing nine rebounds and generally pestering young star Luol Deng and the rest of the Chicago Bulls en route to a 93-78 victory. He also glided to the basket on a crucial drive in the fourth quarter that was reminiscent of a young George Gervin.
It was a coming-out party in front of a national television audience on CBC for the 27-year old rookie, who a week after his first start in the NBA is showing that not only does he belong in the league, but could belong in the starting line-up.
"He plays hard and he deserves to play," said Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell. "He's almost like a mirror of Deng in that he's long and athletic and he can change your shot. Long athletic guys give everybody problems."
Moon's teammate and point guard Jose Calderon - himself undrafted in 2003 - was also effusive in his praise.
"I think he's a complete player," said Calderon. "The things he does, we haven't had this kind of player before. We need this guy."
What Moon brings is obvious: jumping-jack athleticism, defensive exuberance and a surprisingly smooth jumper. He also makes few mistakes for a rookie - albeit a 27-year old rookie - but most of all, his confidence on the court exudes "I belong."
What makes Moon's success all the more mind-boggling is that somehow, for six years, no other team in the NBA brought him aboard for even a ten-day contract.
Moon's NBA career before this year can be summed up like this: Two summer league invites with Milwaukee. Three with the Los Angeles Lakers. No NBA games.
Instead, the young man from Goodwater, Alabama bounced around the minor leagues, playing for teams like the NBDL’s Huntsville Flight, the USBL's Gary Steelheads and the CBA's Albany Patroons, where he was named CBA defensive player of the year.
That helped Moon get an invite to a Raptors free-agent camp last summer, which ultimately landed him his first training camp invite this fall.
So, how come this never happened before? Moon said there's no great conspiracy at work; it's just timing.
"I thought when I came out in 2001 I was ready, but it didn't work out that way," he said Sunday. But he said the leap to the big league isn't so big, in part because the quality of play in the minors is so high.
"There's not much difference between the play in the NBA and in the CBA. There are guys there that can play and a lot of guys who could start if they were put in my position," he said.
"It's all about getting that one good shot, and this is mine."
Could it be true? Could there be another dozen Moons over the horizon toiling away in the minors? It's a pleasant thought, and one Kedrick Brown might want to take to heart. On Saturday Brown - still only 26, one year Moon's junior - scored 15 points in a loss to the Utah Flash.
If Moon's rise can teach us anything, it's that all the scouting in the world can't tell you who will succeed and who will fail. Or how long it will take before you know the answer for certain.
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About the Author
Paul Jay has been writing about basketball for seven years, working as a basketball columnist for Rogers Sportsnet and writing for CBC Sports, Raptors Insider, Dose and appearing on air with Sportsnet and Raptors TV. In his 12 years in journalism, Paul has written features for some of the best publications in the country, including the Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, Saturday Night, Canadian Lawyer and This magazine. He first joined CBC.ca during the 2004 Athens Olympics and currently writes online for CBCNews.ca as a technology and science writer.
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Comments
a.lee
toronto
it's like what chuck said at the end of the game. it's the kid's heart that's the best part. he just loves the game. it's as simple as that.
Posted November 26, 2007 07:18 PM
rdm
oakville
I think most would agree he looked more like Dr.J than George Girvin,not that it matters.Both were amazing players & this young talent,under the right coaching will have a great future ahead of him!!rdm.2007..
Posted November 27, 2007 01:52 AM
Ken Warren
Don't we know another young man like this: no universities he applied for were interested in even replying to his applications, let alone having a look at him. The Universities of Washington and Oregon must be still kicking themselves that they let little Santa Clara have little Steve Nash.
Posted November 27, 2007 04:02 PM
johoco
inthekey
It''s not that the minors are moving closer to the majors in the NBA...it's the majors moving closer to the minors.
Posted November 27, 2007 04:44 PM
P Fernandez
Hamilton
Jamario Moon is exactly the type of underdog athlete Toronto fans love. He is the anti-Vince Carter. He truly appreciates being talented enough to make an impact in the NBA after years of hardship, while not acting as if he is entitled to fame and stardom just because he is an athletic freak. As well, his timing could not be more perfect, with Garbajosa out for the season he is the small forward we desperately need, long, lanky, can jump out of the gym, and decent enough range on his jumpshot to keep the defense honest. I love watching him play, as it sometimes seems as if he can't believe this is happening while not being awed by the NBA star power and hype surrounding him.
Posted November 27, 2007 05:08 PM
Shawn
Ottawa
His personality is as good as his play. It is refreshing to see someone humbled by hard work and perseverance.
Somebody needs to find this guy a good nickname...Wolf Moon, Sailor Moon, Neil Young...
Posted November 27, 2007 05:49 PM
no point play
Maple
What's Joey Graham thinking as we watches Moon? Joey may not have just lost minutes, he becomes expendable if the Raptors don't continue to be injured constantly. I like the way Moon plays. Does Joey rise to the challenge or does he stay unfocused?
Posted November 28, 2007 03:33 AM
king
I am very close friends with Jamario he is close to my family i talk to him alot he only likes to be called Moon so please just call him that
Posted November 28, 2007 06:20 PM
Casey
Toronto
Moon reminds me of Junkyard Dog, but with a better jump shot. His defensive skills give him a fighting chance, but we should temper our expectations. The season is still fresh.
No way that the majors is moving closer to the minors. The NBA roster is as good as it has been in years and team play is loads better than the two-man, clear-out era of the 90s. And look at the parity in college basketball; it's not JUST the case of young players jumping early to the NBA.
Posted November 29, 2007 11:46 PM
khalid
i think that jamrie moon is keeping up the team he is rally amzing wooow moon
Posted December 4, 2007 10:36 PM
Richard
I think Toronto should try and pick up anderson varejao.. we are in need of a defensive player that is aggressive. we have moon, but we need a bigger moon like player :)
Posted December 6, 2007 02:49 PM
Richard Chang
Toronto
Raptors always seem to have luck with rising stars and unknown players. Players that are "unknown" in the NBA or are struggling, when they come to the raptors they shine and play well. There are alot of examples, Marshall, Rose, Delfino, Calderon and Mike James. Jamario Moon isn't any different. As soon as he was given an opportunity to play he came out and gave it all he had and with that, played really well and stuck out from the rest of the raptors with his amayzing air time and reach. Jamario Moon is clearly The Raptors Best defender as of now.
Posted December 10, 2007 06:45 PM