Czyz Courts New Life as a U.S. All-Star

Capital Classic MVP Hails From Poland : U.S. All-Stars 123, Capital All-Stars 85

Olek Czyz still takes the occasional trip down memory lane. He'll arrive at practice and start kicking around a basketball, perhaps even juggling it like the soccer player he used to be, growing up as a child in Poland.

But it was been more than a few years since Czyz took part in an organized soccer game. Basketball is his sport now, and he has accepted a scholarship to play for Duke University.

Yesterday Czyz again showed why he is such a highly regarded prospect, scoring a game-high 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the U.S. All-Stars to a 123-85 victory over the Capital All-Stars in the Capital Classic high school all-star game.

It was the second-most lopsided outcome in the event's 35-year history. Only a 46-point margin in 2002 in the short-lived Red vs. White format produced a bigger differential.

Before an estimated crowd of 2,000 at Comcast Center, Czyz was the best player on the court. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward was physical inside and aggressively attacked the basket. He also displayed unusual athleticism for such a big player, performing a nearly full spin before one acrobatic dunk. Plays like that often surprise those who are unfamiliar with his play, Czyz said.

"I showed up to practice [on Friday] and no one knew who I was," Czyz said after being named the game's most valuable player. "It was like, 'Oh, you're the kid going to Duke?' Then practice started and I had a few dunks. Some of my teammates came with comments, 'You're my favorite white boy now.' It was neat."

Said Maryland recruit Sean Mosley, who played for the U.S. team: "He's kind of quick for the size he has. I never knew he had ups like that until I saw him practice."

Czyz grew up in Poland but said he moved with his mother and stepfather to Reno, Nev., four years ago because his stepfather had previously lived in the area and thought it would be easier to find work. The move also enabled Czyz to continue his pursuit of basketball at the highest levels; basketball is Poland is not nearly as popular, Czyz said.

"I've always had a dream to play basketball across the sea and have an easier life," Czyz said. "My dream has come true."

Another player close to realizing a dream is Mosley, a 6-5 forward from Baltimore. Playing on the court where he plans to spend much of this time next season, Mosley had an efficient 16 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. He tumbled awkwardly to the floor early in the fourth quarter but returned a few minutes later and said he thought he merely had sprained his right wrist.

"I'm just ready to get on the court," said Mosley, who said he is working toward reaching the NCAA's minimum standards for academic eligibility and took the college boards again on Saturday. "I've waited four years to go to a Division I school. Now, I chose my home school. I just want to win a national championship."

Georgetown recruit Henry Sims added 17 points and seven rebounds, while George Mason recruit Andre Cornelius had 13 points and eight assists. All-Met Player of the Year Jason Clark of O'Connell, another Georgetown recruit, led the Capital team with 16 points.