Читать книгу Indiana University Olympians. From Leroy Samse to Lilly King онлайн

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In addition to the fact Alford played without burden of expectation, he found he had two other advantages: he knew Knight’s motion offense and thus did not move tentatively, and he was in the best shape of his life. The workouts, drills, and scrimmages were as much a test of stamina as skill. He grew more confident after shooting seven of seven in his first scrimmage, and three of five in the second.

Alford was trying to study for final exams but found himself writing down names of players he would have to beat out to make the team. Also trying to guess those making the first cut were hundreds of pro scouts and journalists.

Alford recalled the sentimental favorite being Barkley, then a 280-pound forward out of Auburn nicknamed the “Round Mound of Rebound.” Barkley’s thunderous dunks and demonstrative fist pumps delighted onlookers but did not impress Knight. Coincidentally, Barkley was Alford’s roommate during the trials on the top floor of the Memorial Union.

In a 1989 autobiography (written with John Garrity), Alford speculated that pairing him with Barkley was “one of Coach’s little jokes, putting me with a guy who looked as if he could eat the furniture.”