ESPN's Outside the Line's ran a story last weekend on the lack of white American players in the NBA. The story is sure to raise a lot of questions, for example, was the zone defense implemented in the NBA to give "slower" white players a better shot at defending more athletic players and are white American players being overlooked because of a stigma that they are too unathletic to play in the NBA?

Some of the statistics showed throughout the show were surprising to say the least: there are twice as many European players as there are white Americans in the NBA. And if that doesn't get your attention, how about the fact that Brad Miller was the last white American selected to the All-Star team...back in 2004.

Jerry West, the logo of the NBA and a white American player himself, was asked what white American player in the NBA would he pay to see. His answer: he couldn't name anyone.

Sure there have been a number of white American players in college that have been the best in the country--JJ Redick, Adam Morrison, Tyler Hansborough--but the idea that these players cannot play against longer, more athletic players has been proven true for the time being. Maybe eventually the stigma will wear away and players will be drafted based on their production in college, and then another John Stockton will emerge to prove that basketball IQ and fundamentals mean more than skin color...but, maybe not. 

Looking ahead to the 2010 draft, there is 1 white American slated to go in the first round, 7'0" Cole Aldrich from Kansas. It doesn't look like the label has been shed yet.

The Answer

Tonight marks the return of Allen Iverson, not only to the game of basketball (as you'll remember he retired about 2 weeks ago), but to the 76ers. I grew up obsessing over all things Eagles, Phillies and Sixers while growing up near Atlantic City, NJ. If you lived in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area in the late 90's-early 2000's, you no doubt were an Allen Iverson fan.

Sure, he's had a few questionable events transpire over his career; the most well- known being his refusal to practice, but no one could ever question the heart and determination he played with every single night.

I'm hoping that the move to sign AI has more to do with the fact that the Sixers think and hope he can help out a floundering team, but even if it is just a PR move designed to get fans in the seats, you will hear no complaints from me. 

Here's hoping that AI can resurrect a career and a team's season at the young age of 34.

This post has nothing to do with ballers overseas but rather my alma mater, George Mason University. Last week I had the opportunity to interview Head Coach Jim Larranaga and junior point guard, Cam Long for a different class project. Aside from the one-on-one interviews, I also got to take in practice. It was during this time that I was reminded what makes Coach L one of the elite coaches in the country. For anyone that has had a chance to take in a practice, it would come as no surprise that a small school from Fairfax, VA would catapult themselves into the national spotlight by making the 2006 NCAA Final Four. Coach L is a great coach and has a ton of young talent that should be making a lot of noise, both in the CAA and on a national level, for years to come.

Gabe Norwood part 2: from Fairfax, VA to Manila

In part 2, Gabe discusses living in the Philippines and upcoming trips back to the United States as well as his favorite way to stay in touch with friends back home.

Gabe Norwood: from Fairfax to Manila

Gabe Norwood--former George Mason star and current member of the Philippine national basketball team-- took time out to discuss the transition from college to playing basketball in the Philippines as well as the recent tsunami that devastated Manila.

Part 2 of my interview with Washington Mystic All-Star Alana Beard

WNBA All-Star Alana Beard took time out to discuss living and playing basketball in Poland.