ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 18, 1997 TAG: 9703180063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY THE ROANOKE TIMES
The junior guard from Patrick Henry High School has had his ups and downs, and now he's ready to help his teammates avoid his mistakes.
As he moves into the role of elder statesman, Curtis Staples doesn't think there is much his Virginia basketball teammates can encounter that he hasn't experienced.
Staples was so frustrated as a freshman that he thought about transferring after his first game. There was a time when he considered leaving college early and playing professionally. At times, he opened his mouth and wished he hadn't.
Yet, when coach Jeff Jones was asked Friday who would provide the leadership for his 1997-98 team, he didn't hesitate to single out Staples, a three-year starter from Roanoke.
``I talk a lot, but I'm not the type of person who's real forceful about things,'' Staples said. ``It's not all about talking when you're a leader. It's about how you react to different things on the floor. I think I did that a lot this season.
``There were times this season when things were going bad for me and Coach [Jones] jumped my case. A lot of younger guys saw that I went out and performed after that. I think things like that show leadership. Next year I'll be willing to do anything it takes.''
Staples was referring to a Feb.25 game against Virginia Tech, when Jones unloaded on him at halftime and Staples responded by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half as the Cavaliers rallied for a 58-57 victory.
On the other hand, there were situations the players needed to deal with internally, such as the time when senior Harold Deane blasted a pouting Courtney Alexander during halftime of an early-season game with Loyola (Md.).
``I could see myself doing that,'' Staples said. ``At certain times, certain things have to be said to certain people. Harold did a great job of doing that early in the season. A lot of people were thinking what he said, but nobody said it. I would definitely have to take that over.''
Nevertheless, it is in the area of coach-player relations that Staples seemingly has the most to offer. Staples, best known for his 3-point proficiency, learned quickly that he needed to play at both ends of the floor.
``I think Coach Jones is a player's coach,'' said Staples, who became an outstanding defender and rebounder. ``We like to be around him off the court. On the court, he's a coach. Everybody questions, `Why is Coach yelling at me?' or `Seems like Coach is picking on me.'
``At times, you have to put yourself in his position to see what you would say or you would do. You can see why he comes down on people.''
Nobody caught more flak than Junior Burrough, who, as a senior in 1994-95, carried the team for six weeks on its way to a spot in the NCAA Midwest Regional championship game.
``I think it's good for some people,'' Staples said. ``I don't think its's good for everybody. I look at people like Jamal [Robinson]. The guy has a bundle of talent. I mean, it's obvious. He does things on the basketball floor that you just can't teach. And now it's over.''
Robinson was named first-team All-ACC tournament as a freshman in 1993-94, but he lost confidence in his shot and finished his career as the Cavaliers' sixth man.
``I know he can play on the next level,'' Staples said. ``I've played against players that are there now and players that are going to be there. I know that during the summer, just playing pick-up ball, I see how he plays and it's just unbelievable.
``He's an example of somebody who really can't take being fussed at and then go out and produce. It breaks some people down. I just hope it doesn't happen to people like Kris Hunter and guys like that. I hope that they look at the upside.''
If Jones had a whipping boy this season, it was freshman center Colin Ducharme, who said he tried to concentrate on Jones' message and not his delivery.
``Sometimes you may feel like you need to say something, but you just suck it up,'' Staples said. ``It's part of growing up. You tell yourself, `There's nothing I can say or do at this time that can help me, so just hold it in.'''
In time, Staples became the kind of player Jones would leave in a game, even if he was 1-for-8 from the field, as Staples was Thursday in a 73-60 loss to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA West Regional. There are better days ahead, Staples would advise seldom-used players such as Hunter, a 6-foot-10 freshman.
``We talk to him all the time,'' Staples said. ``I think he'll stay. I think he'll stay for the simple fact that he knows he didn't take care of business. He needs to focus a little better. He's had problems going into dazes and not really being assertive.
``A lot of the time, Coach was ready to give him opportunities, but it's a matter of knowing the game, knowing where to be on the floor and what to do. The kinds of plays he makes in practice, Kris shows signs of being a great player. It's about putting it all together.''
As Staples can tell him, a college career can be subject to change.
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN THE ROANOKE TIMES. Virginia's Curtisby CNBStaples, a junior guard from Roanoke, says: ``I talk a lot, but I'm
not the type of person who's real forceful about things. It's not
all about talking when you're a leader. It's about how you react to
different things on the floor. I think I did that a lot this
season.'' color.