NBA Talent Returns (If Not NBA Hoops) When Seattle U Hosts Fresno St. Thursday

George

In Year 2 A.S. (After Sonics), Key Arena has a new hoops tenant: Seattle University. The school's athletic program is transitioning into Division One, the top level of U.S. college sports. And they've scheduled a team that brings NBA-level talent back to the Key for the first time since the Sonics left.

Fresno State comes to town Thursday, along with their star sophomore forward Paul George. At 6'7", 210 lbs., George has an NBA body. And he for sure has NBA athleticism. Check out these dunks:

George will be the #7 pick in next year's draft, according to NBADraft.net,. After that if you want to see George dunking on people, you'll have to drive to Portland (or, as I now call it after coining this phrase last night, "Disneyland for guys with beards"), the nearest town with an NBA team.

Garcia

Seattle U has a future NBAer of their own, to hear coach Cameron Dollar tell it. Dollar says his 6'10" JC transfer forward Charles Garcia is "the best pro prospect in the state." High praise, given that this state includes Abdul Gaddy, the UW freshman projected as the #3 pick in the 2011 draft, and likely NBA draft picks Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas.

Garcia certainly has the versatility that NBA scouts like. In a 30-point performance against U of Portland last night, Garcia had eight boards, three assists, and a three-pointer. (He also had 9 turnovers.)

I should mention that the Redhawks lost that game. They are now 0-2 on the year, with a loss at Oklahoma State in their first game. No one wants to lose two games, but it's encouraging that the Redhawks have been competitive both times. They were down just two points at half to Portland, considered one of the top teams in the West Coast Conference.

Fresno State is the best opponent the Redhawks host this year; if you're going to go to one of their games, make it this one. (Also a draw: It's homecoming for former Rainier Beach star Mychal Ladd, now a starting guard for FSU.) SU is helping out with discounted tickets: for this game only, single-game seats can be had for just $5. Or "splurge" on center court tickets for $10. Buy here or at the door.

I'll be there in the season tickets of a friend, an SU alum who rarely attended games as a student, but now that their going big-time has pitched in to support the team. If you are an SU alum, you should do the same--a successful D1 hoops program will raise the reputation of the school, and make your degree more valuable. Hey, I'm not going to twist your arm, but just sayin'.

Game time is 7:10 p.m. Thursday. You can also listen to the game on 710 ESPN, or watch on FSN Northwest.