LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas basketball signee Marvell Waithe had an outstanding freshman season at Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College last year, averaging 18.9 points and 9 rebounds and being named first-team All-Panhandle Conference.
Waithe, a 6-9, 200-pound forward, is getting extra attention from opponents this year.
“Last year, it was different because no one knew who I was,” Waithe said. “They’ve keyed in on me a lot this year. I’m seeing a lot of double teams.
“I think coaches are telling players to really get into me to start games. It’s clear to see that guys are trying to play physical with me and deny me the ball. It’s an adjustment I have to make.”
Waithe appears to have adjusted nicely. He’s averaging 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 block per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 31 percent beyond the threepoint line and 75.4 percent from the free-throw line.
“I know when I get to Arkansas teams can’t play me like that because there’ll be a lot of good players there playing at a high level,” Waithe said.
Before going on Christmas break, Waithe helped lead the Eagles, ranked No. 4 in the state’s junior-college poll, to an 86-83 victory over No. 3 Central Florida Community College, which features Razorbacks recruit Ricardo Ratliffe, a 6-8, 238-pound power forward, on Dec. 17.
“We were down 13 points with seven minutes left,” said Waithe, who scored 20 points to Ratliffe’s 15. “I was trying to make big plays and make some big shots and hit some threes. I was trying to get to the line and draw some fouls on Ratliffe, too. I think I drew two of his five fouls.
“We were up by one with a minute left so we had to hang on.”
The victory avenged an earlier loss to Central Florida and Ratliffe, who is considered to be the top junior college prospect in the nation.
“Ricardo is a beast,” said Waithe, who was named the 2006 Mr. Basketball in Canada. “If he gets you under the basket, it’s over. You have to push him out and try and play physical. He’s a good player.”
Waithe said he’s improved on the defensive end.
“Last year, a lot of guys tried to go at me and coaches told them to go at me, but this year, I’m guarding the best player on the team,” he said.
While on break back home in Toronto until Dec. 27, Waithe stays active.
“I’m in the gym Monday through Friday to stay in shape and spending time with family and friends at night,” Waithe said.
Waithe is looking forward to putting on an Arkansas uniform next year.
“I’m excited to be able to play in front of all those fans,” said Waithe, who said he stays in constant contact with Coach John Pelphrey and assistant coach Tom Ostrom. “I know people are excited to see me and see how I turn out. I feel like I have a lot of expectations to live up to and I can’t wait to live up to them.
“I’m in the gym every day and I do individual workouts throughout the season with our assistant coach. I’m so hungry and ready to get to Arkansas.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at: [email protected]
Sports, Pages 22 on 12/25/2009