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It seems like everybody’s talking about Jamie Skeen these days. Just the mention of his name on the VCUBasketball forums is enough to crash servers. “Reports from practice are that he is the best offensive player on our team, and it's not even close.” “I talked to a couple of players who said that Skeen is the best offensive player on our team as far as being a scorer. For all intents and purposes, Skeen is going to be an impact player.” “I can't wait to see this kid play. He's going to bring a completely different dynamic to the floor.” “He has the skill to play anywhere on the floor. You don’t start in the ACC unless you have game...I see the second coming of Michael Doles, only a bigger, stronger version.” “Jamie will immediately be our leading scorer if everything we've heard and seen is any indication. Can you imagine what that means for Larry, not having to be the focal point of a defense?” “Jamie Skeen set a world record in the 100-meter dash with a caribou strapped to his back.” Okay, I made that last one up, but the message is clear. Skeen is the talk of the VCU Basketball world, and people can’t wait to see the Wake Forest transfer play in a Rams’ uniform. In fact, the only person not talking about Jamie Skeen is Jamie Skeen. Since the beginning of the season, Skeen has declined all interview requests. However, before you write him off as aloof, moody or malcontent, you have to understand the man behind the decision. When asked about his silence, Skeen quite simply stated that he hadn’t proven anything at VCU, and wanted the attention to be focused on his teammates who had. “That sounds like Jamie,” said Justin Parker, a reporter who covered Skeen for the Huntersville Herald during his days at North Mecklenburg High School in North Carolina. “He’s never bought into himself being a big deal. He hasn’t changed much. He’s so unlike some other guys that I’ve covered.” Don’t believe us? Parker said that in 2006, when Skeen and North Mecklenburg lost a 45-43 decision to Raleigh Wakefield in the North Carolina 4-A State Championship Game, Skeen tossed his All-State Tournament Team award in the trash and said, “I only bring home wins.” “I remember when he signed at Wake Forest,” Parker said. “I thought it was big. I asked him about it and he said he didn’t think it was that big a deal, but everybody kept telling him it was.” As a freshman at Wake Forest during the 2006-07 season, Skeen averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, solid rookie marks. For a couple of years, he had been cultivating an impressive head of nearly shoulder length, braided locks. It drew the attention of Demon Deacons’ Head Coach Skip Prosser, who would casually tease Skeen about his lengthy coif. Prosser would tell Skeen that he’d be faster without all the hair, or joke about how long he had to spend caring for it. Unfazed, Skeen kept the hair. On July 26, 2007, Prosser died from a heart attack after a campus jog. When Skeen returned to practice in the fall, he chopped off the braids in honor of Prosser. “That’s the kind of kid he is,” said Dino Gaudio, who succeeded Prosser as Wake Forest’s coach.
Despite whatever academic shortcomings he experienced at Wake Forest, Gaudio was disappointed to see Skeen depart. “I’ve never been around a nicer, more respectful kid than Jamie Skeen,” Gaudio said. “His parents did a wonderful job with his character. I know this. I didn’t want him to leave. He’s a terrific young man.” He arrived at VCU in January of 2009 and hasn’t made a peep. Since then, Skeen has been practicing with the Rams, but couldn’t contribute during games. While VCU was busy winning the CAA Championship, he watched. When the Rams nearly toppled UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, he watched. During VCU’s upset of No. 17 Oklahoma earlier this season, Skeen watched. For the first time in 21 months, Skeen will look to prove himself on the floor when it matters. The hype is understandable. Skeen was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and had his choice of ACC suitors. He may be 6-8, 245, but he can shoot like a guard. “He’s a terrific skilled big kid,” Gaudio, who recruited Skeen, said. “We ran a lot of pick and pop stuff with him. He has the ability to shoot threes. If a guy was running back to recover, he could put the ball on the floor and pull up. He can also post up inside. He just gives you another dimension.” Guys like that don’t come around the CAA often. Skeen’s pedigree is enticing, but Smart isn’t ready to stamp him as an All-Conference big man yet. “Jamie hasn’t played for about 21 months. It’s not easy,” Smart said. “That’s going to be a process. Everybody, including himself, needs to be patient with Jamie and allow him time to kind of get his feet under him. He’s a talented player who has an ability to affect the game in a lot of ways. We’re excited about him going out there and seeing what he can do.” In the meantime, Skeen will stay tight-lipped and let his game do the talking. ADDENDUM Following VCU’s win over UNC Wilmington, Skeen sat down with the media and discussed his return. “My nerves are gone now,” Skeen said. I was nervous the first two games. I was nervous at the beginning of this game too, but really, at the end of the day it’s just basketball, so you just get out there and play. You don’t forget how to play basketball, it’s like riding a bike. Just 22 months off, that’s it.” Despite promising early returns, Skeen feels like he can still contribute more. “I wouldn’t say all the way back. I think I can do much better, but I mean, I just got to get back into the groove I guess. It’s coming though. It’s coming.” Questions or comments? E-mail us at aroundthehorns@yahoo.com or look us up on Facebook. |
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Prior to the 2008-09 season, Skeen was declared ineligible for the fall semester for violating Wake Forest’s academic policy. Skeen, who averaged 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds as a sophomore for the Demon Deacons, chose not to appeal and transferred to VCU a short time later. All rights reserved.
