Wasilla guard inks letter of intent

WASILLA -- Buddy Bailey has been entertaining Alaska on both the television and the basketball court.

Now he is taking his talents to a new audience.

The 2003 Wasilla High School graduate signed a National Letter of Intent to join the California Baptist men's basketball team for the 2003-04 season.

Bailey spent his first three years of high school at Anchorage Christian School before transferring to Wasilla prior to the 2002-03 season. The hoopster is also known as the television pitchman for his family's business, Bailey's Furniture.

The 6-3 guard made an impact in the state at both the 3A level, with ACS, and the 4A level with the Warriors. His play earned him notable attention from collegiate basketball programs including several Division I schools.

Division I programs Montana, Montana State and Grambling State each took a serious look at Bailey. Grambling State was eager to have Bailey walk on, with the hope of offering him a scholarship by his junior season.

During the recruiting process the question for Bailey was to fulfill the Division I dream or go another route.

"Obviously every little kid wants to go to college and play in the NBA," Bailey said. "The more I played in high school, the more I knew that I had a good shot to play Division I."

Though Bailey knew he had Division I potential, he looked at his priorities.

"I pretty much don't have a chance of playing basketball after college," Bailey said. "I am not sure if I want to focus on basketball for seven hours per day.

"I don't want to go Division I and ride the bench for two years."

At Cal Baptist, Bailey is not only assured of playing time, but he has the potential to have a major role on the squad.

Currently Bailey is the only freshman on the Lancer roster. There are also no sophomores on the team.

"There are nine juniors, three seniors and Buddy," Cal Baptist assistant coach Tim Cook said. "We have such a demanding conference, that is how much we think of Buddy. We would like him to run our team for four years.

"We have great maturity, we just need Buddy to lead us and he can do that."

"They want to build the team around me," Bailey said.

Bailey's impact at the point guard position could be immediate for Cal Baptist.

"There is one point guard who is going to be a senior," Bailey said. "I played him and gave him a good butt kicking."

"If I come in and adjust to the college game, I could be an impact player," Bailey added.

"He will make a big impact," Wasilla head coach Jason Marvel said. "He is a quality kid with a quality attitude.

"Any system he gets to play in, he will be successful."

Cal Baptist is as excited to bring Bailey in as Bailey is to going Cal Baptist.

"He brings a lot to our program," Cook said. "First of all he has a great Christian attitude. He brings a lot of court savvy and is a good shooter.

"He fits perfectly into our conference," Cook added. "We are happy to have him for four years."

"He's exactly what they are looking for," Marvel added.

Cal Baptist is an NAIA program that competes in the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Riverside, Calif. school finished 17-15 overall last season.

According to Bailey there were several factors, including playing time, that led him to decide to attend Cal Baptist.

The factors include the coaches, his future teammates and the Cal Baptist lifestyle.

"I visited three different Christian schools and the (Cal Baptist) coaches were the deciding factor," Bailey said.

Bailey added that he has been corresponding with the Cal Baptist coaches for six months.

Bailey also visited Biola and Christian Heritage.

During his high school career Bailey was a fixture on the All-State teams.

During his senior campaign Bailey averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. Bailey was candidate for the 4A player of the year award and was a McDonalds's All-American

nominee.

Bailey is one of two Warriors TO sign a National Letter of Intent.

Center Ray Schafer will attend the University of Oregon and play up for the Ducks next season.

While at Cal Baptist Bailey will major in business administration and marketing with hopes to return to Alaska and help with the family business.

"He's a kid with tremendous character," Marvel said. "He has a positive influence on people and has had a big impact on me as a person."