Columbus Dispatch:
When he got the news last week, William Buford couldn't stop smiling.
The Ohio State junior found out he was among 20 college players invited to the USA Men's Select team to practice against the USA Men's National team. He leaves Sunday for Las Vegas.
"I had the biggest smile on my face, ever," Buford said yesterday. "When Coach (David) Egelhoff told me, I was so excited. I told my parents, and I wanted to tell everyone."
Even though the six-day competition will consist solely of drills and scrimmages, Buford believes it'll be invaluable for his development. Although most national-team members are unlikely to participate, young NBA stars such as Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose are expected to play.
"It's a test for me to see where my game is at - going against some of the best players in the world," Buford said. "I'm just going to soak up as much as I can from them to try to be the best I can at this level and the next level."
Buford is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.4 points and made significant improvement on defense. With national player of the year Evan Turner having gone to the NBA, Buford could become the Buckeyes' top offensive player.
As an underclassman, Buford mostly deferred to his older teammates, particularly off the court. With a large and talented recruiting class already enrolled and participating in open gyms, Buford is embracing a new role.
"Will's done a great job helping (the freshmen) out," senior Jon Diebler said. "Last year, it wasn't really his role. Last year, he was a lot quieter. But this year, he's really taken on that leadership role."
The open-gym workouts have been intense; current Buckeyes are scrimmaging against alumni such as Mike Conley Jr., Brent Darby and Ron Lewis.
Asked what his priority has been this offseason, Buford replied: "Still defense. I guard the best players on the court in the open gym, and I'm trying to get better at that. I'm working on my ball-handling, working on my shooting, everything really."
After open-gym games, Buford said, he'll shoot by himself at night.
"I'm getting better day by day," he said.
His confidence has grown along with that. He said he wasn't apprehensive about the challenge of guarding NBA stars next week.
"Not at all, because I feel they've got to defend me, too," Buford said with a smile. "I don't really think about that too much. I've been playing the game for so long, since I was little, that I'll just go out and try to do my best.
"I'm really excited. I don't think I've ever been as happy to be a part of something. It's a real honor to be invited down there."
Freshmen impressive
Diebler said the heralded freshman class has been impressive in workouts. He is particularly pleased by their attitude.
"They're all open to listening to us," Diebler said. "Sometimes, that can be the hardest thing coming in as a freshman. You think you know it all. You think you already know what to do. But they all ask us questions and are doing a great job of listening to us."
With guard Lenzelle Smith out because of an injured wrist, Aaron Craft is making a strong impression, especially with his defense.
Lighty hopeful
Senior David Lighty remains in a walking cast after suffering a broken bone in his left foot May 11. He said he expects it to be fully healed next month.
It's the same injury he had two years ago, but Lighty said doctors have told him that the re-injury was not indicative of a chronic issue with the foot.
Lighty was hurt when he stepped on Diebler's foot in a workout.
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