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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 1:19 AM Wednesday, June 17, 2009

DAYTON — Matt Kamieniecki, a high school basketball prospect whose stock is on the rise, stopped by the University of Dayton with his parents to check out a game last season. He made another unofficial visit again this week.

The slender 6-foot-7 senior-to-be from Clarkston, Mich. — whose father, Scott Kamieniecki, pitched in the major leagues for 10 years, mostly with the Yankees — took part in some pick-up games with the Flyers at UD Arena on Monday, June 15.

“They have a lot of talent,” he said. “They get up and down the court pretty fast.”

So does Kamieniecki, who displayed some toughness in scrums for loose balls and a deadly outside shot.

“It’s ironic because (shooting) is the weakest part of his game,” said Scott Kamieniecki, who watched from the stands. “He’s always played inside. But it’s one of those things where he’s worked so much that it’s starting to come and he’s starting to get some confidence.”

The elder Kamieniecki — who had a 53-59 record and 4.52 ERA from 1991-2000 — was wowed by the Flyers’ fast-paced, high-energy style.

“I played baseball, and you can tell which teams are just out there playing and which ones really get after it,” he said. “This is a highly competitive group. I’m sure they’re friends, but at the same time, you put one kid against another kid, and they don’t want to lose.”

Although his only current scholarship offers are from Western Michigan and Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, Kamieniecki will visit Michigan (his father’s alma mater) in a couple of weeks and also is considering making one more trip to Dayton.

Wright driven

Chris Wright has been to Chicago, St. Louis and Atlanta in the offseason for individual training and to play with top college players, and he’ll be living out of his suitcase again next week as a counselor at the Vince Carter Skills Academy in Orlando, Fla.

The 6-foot-8 forward, who led the Flyers in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore last season, said he’s kept such a hectic schedule because he’s consumed with getting better.

“My hunger right now is unbelievable,” he said. “I find myself really becoming obsessed with the game of basketball. It’s not all day yet, but I’m making strides to becoming an obsessed player, like watching film on my own, studying myself and studying the game.”

Staten wooing Payne

Jefferson High School’s Adreian Payne, a 6-10 senior-to-be, is ranked as the eighth-best prospect nationally in the 2010 class by Rivals.com, and close friend Juwan Staten has been trying to persuade his AAU teammate to join him at UD.

“Every time I talk to him, I pretty much get the same thing. There’s about eight schools he’s looking at, and UD is always in the mix,” Staten said.

Staten said Payne has blossomed on the AAU circuit this year.

“At first, it was rough for him because he wasn’t used to the AAU experience, but he’s coming along nice and is turning into the player people think he can be,” Staten said. “That’s scary. I’m really hoping for him to come to UD now.”

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It's to hear Chris Wright is working on his game.
There is always room for improvement no matter how talented you are.. The hardest workers are always the best basketball players.. I look for Chris to have a big season and a nice NBA career..

Harry the Horse
9:37 PM, 6/22/2009

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Josh-no offense, but don't confuse the City of Dayton with UD. Obviously, the city is having some challenges but UD has never been stronger. Largest ever graduating class this year, and record number of applications for next year. Athletic program as a whole has never been stronger. I'm sure you'll respond with some witty cut on the basketball team, but this out of town alum isn't buying it. Take your negativity somewhere else.

Kurt
9:37 AM, 6/19/2009

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Get me out of this hellhole .... UD does ****!

Brian Roberts
9:58 PM, 6/17/2009

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Dayton sucks. I lived there for a year and couldn't wait to get out. Crappy and dirty city. No wonder companies are leaving. End of story.

josh
9:55 PM, 6/17/2009

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Oh Great Simon...if an early summer update on the team that generates a lot of interest from a great number of readers of this newspaper is a dumb article that nobody cares about...please enlighten us all on what you would like to read about. That's what I thought...moron.

Kurt
8:48 PM, 6/17/2009

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