June 29, 2009
McNealy is moving up
‘Like father, like son’ is a phrase that reeks of generality and also wraps up family comparisons in too tidy of a box and bow. The son featured here plays a different position, is obviously of a later era, possesses his own individual uniqueness and thus deserves no shadowing. He is Chris McNealy.
McNealy is one of the best in Northern California
McNealy is currently etching himself into the greater consciousness of Bay Area basketball fans although those in the Contra Costa County are well aware of his accomplishments. The 6-foot-3, 175 pounder was an all East Bay Athletic League First Team honoree this past season at San Ramon Valley High (SRVH) -- the only junior to receive this accolade. Plus, he came in at #4 in the most recent NorCalPreps rankings of the 2010 class.
Asked about his best basketball skills, McNealy offered, "penetrating and getting to the basket plus my defense." His MVP/Lakeshow club team coach Joe Fuca has more to offer: "Chris is an amazing athlete who can play four positions on the court and do them all well. His play at the point is good because he can handle with both hands and he sees the court. Chris is also a quiet leader and demonstrates his command by playing hard every time he steps on the court. He can flat out score from multiple spots on the court and is a lock down defender when you need him to be."
Furthermore, here’s a anecdote from Fuca about McNealy taking over a game "We were up about 15 points in a game with Branch West (a longtime top program in southern California) in Los Angeles this past spring when they decided to really throw an aggressive press on us. Chris took over at the point and really put a stop to their press hurting us. We scored on the next four possessions to win the game by more than 20 points."
Fuca also has another story that illustrates McNealy’s versatility. "I remember when Chris guarded the other teams’ 6-foot-8 center this past spring and he blocked the guy’s shot on three consecutive possessions."
McNealy embraced a new role at SRVH last season -- let him explain it: "In my sophomore year, we had a bunch of seniors who could score and I was the only sophomore starting. But they graduated."
So last season, the responsibility was McNealy’s to both lead, make things happen and produce points. He did to the tune of 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game The young Wolves, coached by John Raynor, went 15-10 in 2008-2009, finishing 7-4 in conference play.
This evolution has been a natural progression extending from his freshman season to his now soon to be final year. According to McNealy, "My personality has changed dramatically. I’m much more talkative on the court and in the classroom than I used to be." But he credits those graduated seniors for displaying the behavior he is now emulating. "They knew when to be serious and when to joke around and I learned that from them."
His biggest influences, besides his parents? McNealy responded by naming "Drew McDonald and Coach Raynor." McDonald now coaches at Miramonte High and was instrumental earlier in working with McNealy while operating the Pure Hoops club team. Raynor has been a fixture at San Ramon Valley High for decades and assisted with the San Jose State men’s basketball program back in the early 1980s, even coaching McNealy’s father one year.
What was McNealy’s best basketball moment to date? "Beating Monte Vista the year before" -- alluding to a 2007-2008 homecourt whipping -- 68-49 -- of the perennial league power.
As for recruiting, the feedback he is receiving from colleges is that he’ll be stationed at the point or the two spot, or a combination. Per Fuca, "I’ve received many calls from major D-1 schools asking about Chris." According to McNealy, "St. Mary’s, Santa Clara, San Jose State, Pepperdine and Davidson are showing me the most interest." At this point, he is leaning towards staying on the West Coast.
His summer goals? "I want to get stronger and continue to work on my outside shooting." he said. He sees himself as a sleeper and "I hope my play this summer gets my name out there more."
McNealy’s academics are fine as he is maintaining a 3.3 grade point average.
Oh yes, his 6-foot-7 father -- also named Chris -- played at San Jose State from 1981-1983, then became the 38th pick in the National Basketball Association draft, played three seasons for the New York Knicks and is now a scout for the Golden State Warriors. He can also probably still reach the rafters when he jumps.
Here’s Fuca again with a more personal note on his prototege: "Chris is very passionate about the NBA game. He and I have a fun competition tracking the success and failures of Kobe versus Lebron. Although Chris is a Kobe fan, he isn’t a Laker fan, so he cheers on Lebron."
Well, we know who is crowing the most right now. But there’s always next season, one in which McNealy will be sporting a college uniform. Will it be a Gael one or bearing the name Broncos or Spartans or Waves on the front? He will have those and many other suitors to choose from when the time comes but what is known right now is that he is one quality individual and will be a beneficial addition to any program.