nike porter

SoCalHoops Tournament News

Nike National Championships:
Andre Porter Profile From S.D. Un-Trib--(July 31, 1998)

We've been complaining long and loud to anyone who will listen about the lack of media coverage in the San Diego area for prep basketball. Well, High Five America and the Nike National Championships may have been able to change that, at least a little. In yesterday's paper, they ran a very nice article, which featured the complete schedule for the event, a little blurb about the facility, and the tournament itself, and they also had a full article on one of the top guards playing in the event, Andre Porter (5'-11" Sr. PG) from St. Augustine High. Here it is:

Stockton Program Gave Porter A Start

By Paula Bott
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Andre Porter watched humbly as the crowd of nearly 500 applauded him. The April ceremony to retire his Stockton Knights basketball jersey took place on his old home court, the Stockton Rec Center in Logan Heights.

The past four years, the all-star team's logo didn't just stretch across Porter's chest. It sank in deeper, helping change Porter's heart.

"It's an overwhelming feeling for us," said Stockton Knights coach Ollie Goulston, "to see him progress so rapidly." [Goulston is also the President and Director of Operations for High Five America--SCH].

Porter's initial involvement with the travel squad wasn't so charmed. After missing several practices and slacking off with his grades, he was suspended for the team's first 13 games. Almost thrown out of the program before ever wearing the uniform, Porter did an about-face.

A senior-to-be at St. Augustine High, Porter now is considered one of the premier players in San Diego. He'll measure his talent against some of the nation's finest today when the first Nike National Summer Basketball Championship begins at the USIU SportCenter.

Fifteen high school all-star teams were invited to this event, which required winning a national qualifying tournament. Nearly 75 of the nation's top 100 prep players will be passing, slashing and slamming in front of more than 150 college coaches.

Although he's often dwarfed by other players, the 5-foot-11 Porter is not intimidated by the lofty opportunity. He's been traveling all summer with High Five America, a San Diego-based team, seeing the cream of the crop nationwide.

"I don't pay attention to who's out there," said Porter. "I really try to focus on myself, have fun and help my team win."

Porter's passion for the game transformed him from a bench-rider to a court king. In 1995 he and the Stockton Knights won the 15-and-under BCI National Championship and Porter was awarded All-America status.

"I think that was a huge thing for his confidence," said St. Augustine coach Mike Haupt, who played at USD. "Athletes are more insecure than you think. Until you play against the best, you don't know how good you can be."

Another shot in the arm came this summer at the Nike All-American Camp [in Indianapolis]. Getting an invitation to the exclusive event is difficult, performing to your potential even more trying. R. Nichols, the president of High Five America, opened the door by recommending Porter to the Nike people. Porter reacted like a bull, charging through.

"Unless you're 6-11 and a high-profile guy," said Goulston, "someone has to recommend you. Andre showed he was justified in being there by how well he played."

Speed sets Porter apart. Reacting to his first step is nearly impossible. Once the second one is set, he's past you.

"He is one of the fastest guys I've seen with the basketball, at all levels," said Haupt. "He can fly with the basketball. And he's going to cause big trouble now because he can really shoot it."

And trouble off the court is a thing of the past.

"He's a kid who could have gone either way," said Haupt. "But he's grown by leaps and bounds. I'm sure he's going to be a successful person regardless of whether he plays another minute of basketball.