Ranked as the top prospect in the Class of 2009 by both Scout.com and
PrepStars.com, the six-foot-nine inch forward from Atlanta (Ga.) South
has grown accustomed to the spotlight and takes the attention from
media, rankings and speculation among fans for what it is.
One of several stars who will be participating in the Jayhawk
Invitational, Favors has even learned to enjoy all of the attention.
“It’s fun for me, you know. It kind of makes me
feel like a superstar so I kind of like it,” said Favors.
“I’m still getting used to it. I’m just
trying to take it one step at a time, I like it.”
An imposing physical specimen who has lean strength to match his
height, Favors is also a big-time athlete. Not surprisingly, he earned
his reputation as a stud on the glass and the defensive end. His
offense is coming along, but he’s also a throwback kind of
player and doesn’t mind it if he’s better known for
his defense.
“I rebound, I block shots, I use all my athleticism.
I’m trying to get my body a little bigger, once I get that
then I’ll be straight,” said Favors of his game.
“It’s just natural for me to rebound and play
defense. Yeah I’ve got to work on my offense, but I
can’t help that it’s just more natural for me on
defense.”
Given his lofty status and impressive talents, it isn’t a
surprise to find out that Favors is being recruited by major programs
from across the country. Among those who have expressed considerable
interest are Kansas, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Kentucky and many more.
However, getting the big man to list his favorites or who is recruiting
him the hardest is nearly impossible.
“Shoot, everybody,” laughs Favors when asked to
reveal who is recruiting him. “It’s really hard to
say who, because it’s really everybody.”
Given that he’ll be on the Kansas campus for the Jayhawk,
Favors will try to brush up on Bill Self’s program.
“I know that they are recruiting me and that they won the
championship,” said Favors of Kansas.
“That’s all I really need to know about it. They
are pretty good and I like how they feed the post man every once in a
while. I’m going to try and check the campus out.”
Considered to be shy by many in the media, Favors actually has a lot of
personality and is becoming much more comfortable with expressing
himself in public.
“I’m really a silly person, I like to have fun with
my teammates every once in a while,” he said. “I
like to be quiet around everybody else, but when we get off the court,
I’m just like this active person.”
According to Favors, he takes the floor every time wanting to win and
make sure that his opponent doesn’t make him or his teammates
look bad. So far, he’s done an excellent job doing that, and
performing while under intense scrutiny that he knows is going to
continue as long as he’s considered among the elite players
in the country.
Since he can’t change it, Favors will do like he always does
and take it for what it’s worth, try to have some fun and
focus on getting better.
“I mean it’s ok with me, but it’s just a
ranking,” said Favors on being ranked No. 1. “I
know that there’s a lot of other great players out there that
could be ranked number one too, so it’s just a ranking.
It’s just another person’s opinion and
I’m still going to work hard and be the same
person.”
*Favors will be joined on the loaded Atlanta Celtics squad by 2009
standout and Kansas target Lance Stephenson who has joined the Celtics
for the event. The Celtics will play their pool play games at 9:45 pm
Friday in Allen Fieldouse and 1 and 4:45 pm Saturday in the Horjesi
family athletics center. For more information, please check out the
Jayhawk Invitational website at http://www.jayhawkinvitational.com
or ask about it on the message board.
Derrick Favors Scout.com
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