Developing a project

Paul Bunch hasn’t been the easiest project for North Lawndale coach Lewis Thorpe to work with.

Aside from being 6-foot-10, 240 pounds and quite raw, Bunch can be difficult. It’s not that he doesn’t want to get better. It’s just he tends to get frustrated when his body doesn’t cooperate with his mind, his opponents are pushing him around without a foul being called and he hustles the floor on countless trips and isn’t rewarded with the ball.

Big men aren’t developed overnight. Farragut’s All-American Michael Dunigan is a perfect example. It’s a process; and it’s one that Bunch is enduring right now.

But after two seasons and half way through another summer, Bunch is finally starting to see his hard work paying off.

At the Braidwood Shootout last week, Bunch did everything that was asked of him. He ran the floor regardless of the play, held back his frustration as best as he could and consistently knocked down a 10-foot jump shot. The performances helped the Phoenix win by margins of 27, 43 and 50 on its way to the shootout championship.

“His work ethic has changed,” Thorpe said. “He’s working hard. He’s been frustrated because No. 1 no one had offered him, and No. 2 people were moved ahead of him in the rankings.”

Bunch is now motivated to regain his place in the Class of 2010 and begin picking up more offers. So far, Oregon State has been the lone school to extend a scholarship.

But aside from those goals, Bunch has his eyes on an even bigger one.

Trying to figure a way to keep Bunch focused regularly, Thorpe turned to a saying.

“He told me I have to start with the end in mind,” Bunch said. “I’ve kept that in my head.”

Thorpe said, “I asked him, ‘What do you want to do with basketball? What do you want to happen? He said he wanted to play in the NBA. I told him, ‘You got to start your workout with that in mind.’”

Bunch’s size certainly gives him an advantage of most teenagers who are shooting for the League. But for him to make that realistic, scouts and college coaches want to see more out of him.

If he can put together more games like he did in the Class 2A state championship – 18 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks – his stock would soar.

“In one year, he has come a long way,” said City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Joe Henricksen. “And if he wants to be a major contributor at the highest level in college, he still has a ways to go. His skill level has jumped, but he’s still too mechanical, a little slow in reaction and game speed. But he has what college coaches covet – size, with a wingspan and a frame to build on, all of which of are so hard to find in recruiting.”

It’s exactly why a familiar name in the state’s recruiting wars has been showing a lot of interest.

“[Kentucky’s] Tracy Webster probably calls the most,” Thorpe said. “He told me, ‘Don’t let him commit anywhere else.’”

So what is Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State and other schools sending him letters waiting for before they offer scholarships?

“They’re waiting for him to blossom,” Thorpe said. “Every game Illinois came to, he looked terrible. He puts so much pressure on himself. Paul is so emotional. He’s gets down on himself.”

Thorpe’s advice isn’t being disregarded. What Thorpe tells Bunch he does take to heart. Whether it’s on the court or of it, Bunch is sure to listen to someone he vastly respects.

“Coach Thorpe is like my mentor and father figure,” Bunch said. “I can go to coach Thorpe with anything.”

And it’s another reason why Thorpe smiles whenever he talks about Paul Bunch. Whenever he takes his own kid – Stephen – to the gym, he also picks up Bunch. The two have spent countless hours in North Lawndale’s small gym.

“Nobody’s worked more with that boy than me,” Thorpe said. “He’s made me so proud.”