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To Block A Shot

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A Tribune staff report

Published: December 21, 2007

Other than a pitcher firing a fastball past a helpless batter for a called strike three, there isn't a more definitive statement of dominance in sports than a blocked shot in basketball. Nothing says "I'm better than you" quite like sending your opponent's shot sailing into the second row, or, in the case of one University of Florida player, off said opponent's cranium.
ALEX TYUS Florida

Just before his senior year in high school, soon-to-be Florida forward Alex Tyus introduced himself to a future Southeastern Conference rival, and it's highly unlikely Kentucky freshman Patrick Patterson has forgotten. At an AAU tournament in Orlando in 2006, Patterson fired up a shot. Tyus, charging from across the lane, leaped and swatted Patterson's shot out of the sky. The ball bounced off Patterson's skull.

Last week, Tyus recalled that block and explained the rush of adrenaline that comes with a mammoth swat.

"It's very satisfying," the spring-loaded 6-foot-8 freshman said.

Tyus also explained when a player should swing like an attacking volleyball player (coming from the help side to block a shot already in the air) and when a player should try to stuff the shot before it leaves his opponent's hand (when it's his man shooting). But no matter which technique the blocker chooses, the blockee faces a long run to the defensive end of the court.

"You've pretty much proven your point," Tyus said. "You can tell that they know it, too. They usually look a little embarrassed."
Andy Staples KENTRELL GRANSBERRY South Florida

Before playing UAB on Dec. 8, University of South Florida senior center Kentrell Gransberry wasn't exactly an expert on blocking shots. In his previous 31 games at USF, he had blocked only 18 shots.

Against UAB, he blocked seven.

"There's no other feeling like it, it's one of the best feelings," Gransberry said. "It's almost equivalent to getting a steal and a dunk."

And Gransberry said after blocking a shot, silence is golden. "Nothing needs to be said after that," he said.

The 6-foot-9 Gransberry said he doesn't necessarily always go for a block, but instead just tries to contest it.

"It's timing," Gransberry said. "You wait until the other guy is going up and contest it, not so much to block it."

Not surprisingly, Gransberry's most memorable block came against UAB when he blocked a dunk attempt by 6-9 F Walter Sharpe. The Blazers contended Gransberry's hand actually went up through the rim.

"If it was a football game and challenged by a replay, I can't see any evidence to overturn it," Gransberry said.

Nothing else needs to be said.

Brett McMurphy

SOLOMON ALABI AND JULIAN VAUGHN Florida State

At 7-foot-1, Nigerian import Solomon Alabi has blocked a lot of shots in the three years since he came to the U.S. and started playing basketball. He averaged six blocks a game last season at Montverde Prep Academy near Orlando.

In his brief hoops career, Alabi has quickly established himself as a premier shot blocker. He said it never gets old.

"Blocking a shot means a lot to me," he said. "If I block a shot in a game, it pumps me up. It gives me a feel for the game. I think blocking a shot turns on my offense and defense."

In FSU coach Leonard Hamilton's quest to get the Noles to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade, he added a large dose of size to this year's team in Alabi and 6-foot-10 power forward Julian Vaughn, who blocked 3.3 shots a game for Oak Hill (Va.) Academy last season.

Much like Alabi, Vaughn takes special pride in rejecting an opponent's shot.

"It feels really good, because you stop a potential score," Vaughn said. "A lot of blocks for me come not even on the man I'm guarding, but from somebody else's guy. I'll leave my man to make a block, and he won't see me coming. That feels good, because they know you have to work for it."

FSU fans can't wait for Vaughn's next one.

Scott Carter

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