WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The latest 50 Cent hit fills the air of a nearly-empty MCI Center. Twenty-four of the country's top high school seniors share both jokes and jump shots as they warm up for the regional game of the 30th Annual Capital Classic.
Amid the blaring beats and bouncing balls, one player stands out. One player, who drills jumper after jumper from everywhere on the court. One player, whose number 24 Capital Classic jersey hangs free from his lanky frame as he shakes past imaginary defenders. One player, who from the size 13.5 Jordans on his feet up to the blue-and-white striped headband on his head radiates a certain presence, personality and confidence. One player, who is the new face of Virginia basketball. One player whose name is Gary Forbes.
Since he was limited to just 13 minutes of action in the Classic itself, Forbes only was able to hint at what he is capable of doing on the basketball court. In last Thursday's game, he finished with five points, six rebounds and one block. But despite all of his on-court frustration during the game, nothing could erase the ear-to-ear grin from Gary Forbes' face afterwards.
"I don't think [I was able to do what I wanted to do]," Forbes said. "But I guess everyone will see me on ESPN next year."
That is because the 6-foot-6 swingman is expected to play a major role for the Cavaliers next year. He is the jewel of a recruiting class that is ranked 20th by theinsiders.com.
"The fact that I'm an explosive guard and that I can score from anywhere" will help Virginia, Forbes said. "I think that's one of the key things they were missing this year--somebody to take over a game. I think I can come in and do a lot."
Born and bread in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Forbes ranks as ESPN.com's fourth-best shooting guard and 20th best player overall. He committed to the Cavaliers last November, before Virginia stumbled to a 7-9 ACC record and a second round bow-out in the NIT. Regardless of last season's collapse, Forbes has not thought twice of his decision to become a Cavalier.
"I feel that I didn't make a mistake," Forbes said. Virginia "is the place that I am going and I have no regrets on that. I liked the way the family base was, and the guys made me feel at home with coach [Pete] Gillen being from Brooklyn."
A relative unknown before last summer, Forbes became the target of several ACC schools after a stellar summer performance. He then narrowed his choice to Virginia and Georgia Tech before making his decision to come to Charlottesville.
"At Virginia, they wanted me to play a '2,'" Forbes told the Roanoke Times when he made his decision in the fall. "Georgia Tech was looking at me as a '3.' It was a determining factor as far as playing time and stuff like that."
Not that someone could expect Forbes to be limited to one position. He played all five positions at some point this season for Banneker Academy. The all-time scoring leader at Banneker, Forbes averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds this season en route to garnering first-team All-New York City honors and also being named a McDonald's All-American finalist.
Forbes has the ability to play outside, as is evident from the NBA-range three-pointer he hit in the Classic, or to take it strong to the hole, as he did over Kentucky-bound forward Sheray Thomas for his other field goal.
"Forbes is a talent," recruiting analyst Dave Telep told CNNSI.com. "His perimeter game is good, and he's a smooth player."
At his size, Forbes' ability to score from anywhere on the court makes him tough to defend. He is a great rebounding guard, but "hard-nosed defense is what separates him from the other wings," according to goldenhoops.com. Prepstars calls him "one of the most polished wings in the senior class," and Forbes also possesses the ability to play point guard, which has been a troubled position for the Cavaliers.
"I expect to play the point some next year," Forbes said. "Coach Gillen wants sometimes to go big, and I'm able to do that. That is a big factor that I bring to the program."
Forbes' Blue team lost in the regional game of Capital Classic, 108-86, in large part to the efforts of another point guard, regional game MVP and Georgetown-bound Matt Causey. The Lilburn, Ga. native paced his victorious squad with 13 points, eight assists and a behind-the-back move in the open court that made his defender, guard Nick Grant, fall to the MCI Center floor.
Although Forbes is a city kid from the heart of Brooklyn and Causey is a down-home country boy, the two have become fast friends via the AAU circuit.
"He was on my 3-on-3 team at Nike Camp over the summer, [and] he's a great player," Causey said."I met him for the first time last year at an AAU tournament.He's really good."
It was in those camps that the silky-smooth Forbes really made a name for himself, vaulting his way up the recruiting charts with consistent strong performances.
"I had to go out against the top players in the nation playing in the Nike circuit," Forbes said. "I love playing against competition--that's when I step my game up the most."
Before the camps, Forbes wasn't even in many recruiting services' top 100s, in large part to his perceived struggles as a perimeter shooter. But he displayed a deep shooting range and an improved stroke at the Nike camps that complemented his ability to get to the basket with his athleticism, making him a target of many elite programs.
Forbes' stepped-up play has earned him national recognition and quite possibly the role of savior at a fledgling Virginia program. But Forbes is quick to acknowledge where it all begins.The roots of his game--everything from the aggressive glass cleaning and stutter-step drives to the hole to the bravado and the headband--trace back to home: the playgrounds of Brooklyn.
"When you're in the parks, people are talking smack to you," Forbes said. "You hear a lot of things that you've never heard in your life, so I'm used to that. It's tough playing in New York. It's going to be same playing in New York as it is at Duke."
But before any bouts with the Cameron Crazies or the Blue Devils, Forbes' first fight will be in Charlottesville on behalf of his beloved headband, as Gillen maintains a team rule against headbands.
"I think Coach Gillen might have to change that. I can't play without a headband. I'll talk to Coach Gillen when I get down there," Forbes said, the wide grin still adorning his face.
Forbes will be one of at least four incoming Cavalier freshmen in the fall, joined by combo guard J.R. Reynolds, point guard T.J. Bannister and southpaw forward Donte Minter. A fifth and final piece could be Philadelphia native Jason Cain, a 6-foot-9 athletic forward who is deciding between Virginia and Villanova.
It could be "kind of like the Fab Five with five freshmen coming in next year," Forbes said. "The program was kind of half-and-half this year, but next year I think we will do a lot better and make it to the NCAA tournament. I'm pretty confident of that."
It is exactly that confidence that exudes from Forbes' lanky 6-foot-6 frame. With a Riverside Church AAU gym bag on his back and a white Jordan-brand bucket cap on his head, his class ring and a cross hang from the neck of the new face of Virginia basketball. In Forbes, the Cavaliers have an identity--a cornerstone to build around. With his smooth actions on the court and his charismatic personality off it, Forbes has the potential to lead the Virginia program back to national prominence.
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