http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0204-prep-bkb-spotlight-20110203,0,4556393.story(Young, I'm in Chicago and read this in the Trib just now. I also see its on the premium site too. Does that make me a thief for posting here?)
Darius Paul rises above comparisons to brother, Illinois guard Brandon Paulround every corner of the hallways of Warren and the gyms of the North suburbs, someone wants to talk to Darius Paul about his brother Brandon, the former Warren star now playing for the University of Illinois.
Wherever he goes, Darius is the little brother of Illinois' 2009 Mr. Basketball award winner, making the comparisons inevitable and the expectations obvious even when they go unspoken.
Darius Paul does not complain or lash out behind closed doors — not even occasionally. He admits it is tough on him at times, but does so with one-word answers that leave even his mother guessing.
"I really can't articulate what he could be going through," Lynda Paul said. "He sees his brother, and he does enjoy watching his games, but I'm still not sure what is going on inside his head. I don't know how he's feeling. He doesn't talk that much for a 16-year-old."
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If Darius' body — and game — keep growing at the rate they have been recently, the issue will be moot.
Already several inches taller than Brandon, Darius measured in at 6-foot-6 in November and is now just a shade under 6-8, Lynda Paul reports.
And while Brandon is looking for his niche as either a shooting, point or combo guard, Darius has developed the kind of diverse skill set that could serve him well at either forward spot on the next level.
"I just think of him as more of a basketball player," Warren coach Chuck Ramsey said. "He can do a variety of things. Right now, he is at his best when he is inside rebounding. He is so long, and he's deceptively strong, stronger than you'd think at first appearance when you see a long kid.
"He has strong hands and wrists, and that helps him rebound and finish around the basket. He can also step out and shoot, and he's a good passer. He has good passing instincts. He has 58 assists and 34 turnovers, which is a good ratio. He has made real progress this season, and I think his best basketball is ahead of him."
The junior is the leading scorer (11.3 points per game) and rebounder (6.0) on an 18-3 team that is ranked No. 8 in Chicagoland by the Tribune.
In addition to his obvious physical gifts, Lynda Paul raves about his basketball IQ, and though she's clearly biased, she's no ordinary hoops mom.
As was the case with Brandon, Lynda Paul coached Darius and most of his Warren teammates for years on the Illinois HoopStars AAU program she used to run.
"I think his body is coming together," Lynda Paul said. "Prior to the season, he was just a little awkward growing into his body. Mentally, I'm not sure he knew how to handle the attention, but I think he is maturing."
Lynda Paul said colleges are waiting for more performances like the one Darius had last Saturday, when he had 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in a 74-54 victory over Mundelein (21-4).
Marquette, Northwestern, Iowa and Nebraska have shown the most interest. None has offered yet, but the kid of few words acknowledged that his recent success has eased the burden of being Mr. Basketball's younger brother.
Said Darius: "It is easier to deal with, with the team doing better than when he was at Warren."
Darius Paul file
School: Warren.
Class: Junior.
Height: 6-7 1/2.
Position: F.
Stats: 11.3 points, 6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 blocks per game.
College:
Marquette, Iowa, Northwestern and Nebraska have shown the most interest. None has offered.
FYI: He's not the only promising Warren junior with a decorated older sibling. Longtime friend and teammate Nathan Boothe is the younger brother of former Warren star Sarah Boothe, who was Illinois Ms. Basketball in 2008 and is playing for Stanford.
