A Big Man's Clear View

In the Final Four, Roy Hibbert faced the player that would help him imagine his own future. There, he confronted Ohio State's 7-foot freshman Greg Oden, a basketball prodigy so gifted he likely will be the first player picked in next month's NBA draft. For the 7-2 Hibbert, once a gangly freshman nicknamed "Big Stiff," this was a final exam after three years of hard work and spectacular improvement. Where did he stand? And if he withstood Oden, was he ready for the NBA draft himself with its guaranteed millions of dollars?

"That game showed me I'm a pretty decent center. I didn't have to change my game at all to play against him," said Hibbert, who had 19 points, six rebounds and a block in 24 minutes, slightly outshining Oden's 13 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes, though both had severe foul trouble.

A bit to his own surprise, Hibbert discovered he could get high-percentage shots almost at will against Oden, whether hooking with either hand or spinning to the basket. On defense, Hibbert's long wingspan bothered Oden. In short, Hibbert came closer to dictating to Oden than the reverse.

After that, the NBA-star siren song would have won the heart of many a young man -- perhaps to their long-term detriment. But the 278-pound Hibbert took exactly the opposite lesson.

"It tempted me," Hibbert said of the draft, where he probably would have been taken between the eighth and 14th overall pick. "But it also made me realize that maybe I can be the best big guy in the country next year.

"It made me think how good I could be. If I keep working and improving, why can't I be a top pick next year? Things may not work out that way. I could go number eight, 14. Or 20 [next year]. But I think I can be a great center. And we can get even further than we did last season."

Hibbert, whose play steadily improved all season until he averaged 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in the NCAA tournament, made the right decision yesterday and because of it, will have the greatest possible chance to become an NBA star someday while giving the Hoyas a realistic chance to win the NCAA championship next season.

"I want to finish business here: work, get better, graduate," he said.

Hibbert's physique and talents still aren't fully formed. When he arrived from Georgetown Prep, he was little more than a towering project rather than a real player. Despite all his accomplishments, he still had far too many "single-single" games last season when was barely a factor on offense or the boards.

"I need to be better all around: get stronger, finish [better] around the basket and rebound better," he said.

What would help most?

"Maybe staying out of foul trouble," he replied.