Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990 TAG: 9004290140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
His statistics - averages of 21.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and six assists per game - led his district. He holds nine school records, including most career points with 1,535.
A 6-foot-4 swing man who can handle the ball and score from outside, a solid student with good work ethics, Lee seems to have all the credentials required to enter a major-college basketball program except maybe one - credibility, at least in the eyes of the bigger schools.
Lee didn't play in a big city. He attends George Wythe High in Wytheville - a city with a population of about 20,000.
"[George Wythe] isn't exactly renown for producing basketball players," said Lee.
Although a lot of schools contacted him, only a few were willing to offer Lee a basketball scholarship.
VMI was one, and its insightfulness has landed the Keydets a player who is proving he can perform against the top basketball players in the state.
This weekend, Lee competed with Radford AAU in the 19-and-under Amateur Athletic Union state tournament at Cassell Coliseum at Virginia Tech.
The level of competition exceeded that which Lee faced while playing in the New River District, but he scored, passed and rebounded the way he always has.
"I think I've held my own," said Lee. "I really like this. It's not just one good team. Every one is an all-star team. You get a chance to show what you can do.
"I came out to play because I enjoy the competition. If I get another player's respect, that's all good and well."
It didn't take long for Lee to get respect from the coaching staff at VMI.
VMI assistant Dave Manzer first scouted Lee as a junior and liked what he saw. He notified head coach Joe Cantafio, who was equally impressed.
Lee became one of VMI's top recruiting priorities.
"His skills were very attractive to us," said Manzer. "For his size, he has excellent ball-handling skills. He is a high-percentage shooter on the 3-point shot. We're looking for Jamie to come in and contribute right away. His talents are such that we expect him to play. Obviously, we don't know how much yet."
The Keydets staff worked hard on selling VMI to Lee. They were convincing. Lee resisted last minute overtures from James Madison and chose VMI over James Madison, Marshall, Campbell and Radford.
"JMU had been talking to me since I was a sophomore," Lee said. "VMI came into the picture kind of late, but when I first talked to Coach Cantafio and Manzer and [assistant coach Pete] Strickland, I knew from then [VMI] was where I wanted to go.
"From a player's standpoint, I picture them as the perfect coaching staff."
Lee is a welcome addition to a Keydets team that graduates four senior starters, including Nos. 3 and 4 all-time scorers Ramon and Damon Williams.
"We were were looking for a player that we could rely on as a 3-point shooter," Manzer said, "but he is not limited to the role as a designated shooter. Jamie is a well-rounded player. He's been consistent over his whole career. He didn't just explode as a senior.
In the Keydets' scheme, Lee would most likely be suited for the No. 2 guard spot, filled for the last three years by Ramon Williams. Although Lee contends "I'm a guard, I don't play inside," the 300-plus rebounds he pulled down last season shows he's not afraid to slide into the lane.
"For us the shooting guard and small forward position are virtually the same," Manzer said. "He's going to play one of those two spots. We've never talked to him about [having a starting position waiting for him], but he'll have every chance to be considered."
That's fine by Lee.
"I just want to play the best I can," he said. "When it's time for me to go in and contribute, the coaches will know."
by CNB