News Scrapbook 1984

San Diego, CA (Son Diego Co.) Eve ning Tribune (Cir. D. 127,4541 JUN 18 198

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MICH EL CAGE OF S~ 'DIEGO STATE

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MIKE WHITMARSH OF THE USO TOREROS

NBA draft order: t, Houston, 2, Portland, 3, Chicago 4, Dallas; 5, Phila- de phla 6, W shlngton; 7, San Antonio; 6, Clippers. 9, City; 10, Phil delph1a, 11, Atlanta; 12, Cleveland; 13, Phoenix. 14, Clippers, 15, Dallas; 16, Utah; 17, New rsey 18, Indiana 19, Portland; 20, Detroit; 21, 1w Uk 22 Pl! lade! , 23, An ; 24 Bosio

guard pot - Louisville's Lanca ter Gordon has been m nt1on d and mall forward. Whitmarsh 1s n extreme longshot, but somebody you'd like to have in camp," said Babcock, whose team regularly practiced at USD last season and whose brother, Dave, was an assistant coach at USO. "He's prov- en hunself at hJS level. which is a cut below Cage's. But hJS problem I that he11 be competing agarnst big guards and mall forwards. extremely talented people in the BA Nobody ever discusses Crawford" Ready to check Jnto Heartbreak Hotel Brett? You nev r can tell ju t because of our ituation," said Crawford, referring to USIU's, and his, anonymity. ''But Just to get drafted should be enough to make me make a team You just have to be in the right place at the right lime. ' For Cage, that would be in the sights of "the right team for me. If a team picks me just for my basketball skills, it would be a d1Sappo1ntment There is more to life than just basketball I have a lot to express Working with children, 1n the community, becoming an all-around person. I would hope I'll have a chanee to do ose things as a pro, too. Cage whom Babcock says ic: valued because, "He has the size and physical ability and has shown he can score and rebound on a consistent basis" - ha:, neard from Philadelphia, Cleveland and Atlanta. The 76ers have three first-round picks; there has been talk about a housecleaning in Atlanta, which could open up some pots; and Cleveland needs any help 1t can get. "I have an open mmd about it all," said Cage. '1 have to How could I go to a team if I bad been wanting to be pie ed by another? I have no control over It. You hear thmgs but nothing's defimte A particular game or oppo- nent you can prepare for, but this is one big question mark. It's like a torture. "Sometimes when I think about it I just get so pumped up my heart starts racmg and I've got to go out and run around or ride my bike just to get my mind off it. I may be the first guy at this age to have a heart attack over this" That would make draft day Heartbreak City. And Cage's would be a large heart to break. ''My first cherk'.'" Cage said. "I think I'd take care of my om's bills She and my family have meant so much for me, done so much. I'd just like to say, 'Here, Mom, this one's on me.'"

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'S BRETT CRAWFORD

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