When Scottie arrived at Central Arkansas he had grown 2 inches. He now was 6'3. He did not arrive with the goal of becoming an NBA player, he wasn't even sure he wanted to play varsity basketball. His work study program did not guarantee him a place on the team so if he wanted to play he would have to work hard for it. Coach Don Dyer told him if he worked out with weights and built his upper body strength he might be able to make the team in a year or two. His chance came sooner than expected when several members of the team quit. He played his freshmen year as a reserve and averaged only 4.3 points a game, but he impressed his coach with his desire and hustle.
When sophomore year started in the fall of 1985, Scottie had grown to 6'5. He had now become a player of rare talent. Because of the position he played in high school he had the mentality and ball handling skills of a point guard but now he also had the height of a forward. His unique talents allowed him to play all 5 positions. He quickly became the best player and led his team in scoring and rebounding in his sophomore year.
When the season was over, Scottie began working out and got even bigger and stronger. He now had a sense of what he wanted to do with his life. He began to think seriously about a career in professional basketball. In his junior year Scottie was the teams leading scorer and rebounder and was named to the NAIA All American Team.
In Scottie's senior year he had grown to 6'7 and became the dominant player of his team. He averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He was again named to the NAIA All American Team. He looked good enough to make the NBA but his only problem was that he got no exposure playing for Central Arkansas. The director of NBA scouting came to see him play and advised all NBA teams to take a look at him. The general manager of the Chicago Bulls was the only one who took this advice. He was impressed and was interested in Scottie. The NBA director was not aware of his interest so he decided to invite Scottie to play in an all star game to show off his talents for other recruits. His performance attracted a lot more scouts but the general manager of the Chicago Bulls still wanted him. He had to work out a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics in order to get Scottie. The Bulls signed Scottie to a 6 year contract worth more than $5 million dollars.
When sophomore year started in the fall of 1985, Scottie had grown to 6'5. He had now become a player of rare talent. Because of the position he played in high school he had the mentality and ball handling skills of a point guard but now he also had the height of a forward. His unique talents allowed him to play all 5 positions. He quickly became the best player and led his team in scoring and rebounding in his sophomore year.
When the season was over, Scottie began working out and got even bigger and stronger. He now had a sense of what he wanted to do with his life. He began to think seriously about a career in professional basketball. In his junior year Scottie was the teams leading scorer and rebounder and was named to the NAIA All American Team.
In Scottie's senior year he had grown to 6'7 and became the dominant player of his team. He averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He was again named to the NAIA All American Team. He looked good enough to make the NBA but his only problem was that he got no exposure playing for Central Arkansas. The director of NBA scouting came to see him play and advised all NBA teams to take a look at him. The general manager of the Chicago Bulls was the only one who took this advice. He was impressed and was interested in Scottie. The NBA director was not aware of his interest so he decided to invite Scottie to play in an all star game to show off his talents for other recruits. His performance attracted a lot more scouts but the general manager of the Chicago Bulls still wanted him. He had to work out a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics in order to get Scottie. The Bulls signed Scottie to a 6 year contract worth more than $5 million dollars.