Illinois' sharpshooting Colin Falls eyeing possible visit to Arkansas
BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON -Northwest Arkansas Times

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Colin Falls has got one of the most interesting names at this week's Nike All-America Camp and one of those sweetest jump shots.

Falls, a 6-3 guard from Loyola Academy in Park Ridge, Ill., being recruited by the University of Arkansas, swished several shots Monday as game action got underway at the prestigious summer basketball camp.

"I think my greatest strength is shooting it," said Falls, a taller, quicker version of former Razorback Pat Bradley. "If I can get it in good shape, I am usually going to knock it down."

Falls currently has interest in Marquette, Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul, Arkansas, St. Louis and Boston College and has taken unofficial trips to the first four. He is very interested in setting something up with Arkansas officially for the fall.

"The SEC is big-time basketball and Arkansas is a storied program," Falls said. "With the new coach there in Coach [Stan] Heath, it seems like it is going to be on the rise again. It seems like it would be a fun place to play."

UA assistant coach Rob Flaska has been the lead contact for Arkansas with Falls, who is playing for the Illinois Warriors this summer.

"I'm looking forward to talking to them again soon," Falls said. "It's very possible you will see me down there this fall depending on their interest continuing."

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Two of the campers have very recognizable names in Patrick Ewing, Jr., and Darryl Strawberry, Jr.

Ewing's dad, sporting a cast on his wrist, showed up to watch his 6-9, 230-pound son Tuesday at the National Institute for Fitness and Sports on the campus of IUPUI.

Strawberry is a 6-3, 170-pound guard from Mater Dei High School in Corono, Calif.

"I just always like basketball a lot better than baseball," the younger Strawberry said in reference to a question of why he isn't following in his major league dad's footsteps.

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Tidbits* While 6-4 Rodrick Stewart from Seattle is on hand at Nike this week, his twin brother Lodrick is not and is home resting sore knees, which have developed tendinitis.

* Vakeaton Wafer, the 6-4 guard from Louisiana that Arkansas covets, is being slowed by an ankle injury.

* Arkansas head coach Stan Heath was just one of 400 college coaches or NBA scouts on hand Monday at the Nike Camp as the first day of the July evaluation period opened.

* One of Nike's guests on Sunday night was 7-foot-7 Manute Bol, the former NBA player who recently tried his hand at celebrity boxing.