Like a lot of folks, I follow college basketball from a distance, till March Madness, and all this season all I’ve heard about was Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick. Then as the tourney commenced, Gerry McNamara of Syracuse and the charismatic Kevin Pittsnogle of West Virginia. Oh and Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina.
Then the tournament concludes and who winds up making the difference? Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, Arron Afflalo, Jordan Farmar, Big Baby Davis, Tony Skinn etc.
I know that no one can predict these outcomes, but face it, Redick and Morrison, who were up againt one another for player of the year honors in the NCAA, are white (as are Hansbrough, Pittsnogle, and Gerry-Mac) and these other stars are men of color.
There’s racism in the way people look at the college game. They see the jump shooter as the great star, and yes the college game advantages the shooter, but in the end it’s still speed and quickness that make all the difference, the same things that separate the winners from losers in the NBA (which is predominantly black).
Are lovers of college hoops clinging to some nostalgic (and racist) idea of the white athlete?
