Coach Kevin Sutton, in a kind, yet authortative tone instructed, “Alright guys, partner up!”

It was my first workout with the group and on this cool spring night in May, I just so happened to get paired up with 6’8″ 215 pound Eric Griffin.

With his height and long arms that stretch into tomorrow, I expected Griffin to be strictly a post player.  Fifteen years ago I’m sure that’s exactly where some coach would have placed him.  All I can say is, I’m glad it’s not fifteen years ago!

During the workout, I was amazed at Griffin’s ball skills and his ability to shoot the rock.  He literally takes jump shots from three point land!  I’m talking a couple of feet off the ground JUMP SHOTS!

It’s one thing for a 6’2″ guy like myself to do that, but when you’re 6’8″, well you can understand how and why Eric Griffin took Campbell University by storm last year!

Transferring in from the community college level, Eric averaged 13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting over 50% from the field, for the Fighting Camels.  In February of last year, he was named Atlantic Sun Conference’s newcomer of the week (see video below) with a stat line (22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists) that’ll make any basketball fan say damn!

What’s just as amazing as Eric leading Campbell in points, rebounds and blocks last season, is that this, his senior season at Campbell, will be just Eric’s fifth year of organized hoops!  That’s right, the guy swatting shots, raining three’s and thumping dunks on foolish defenders, played just one year of high school basketball at Boone, in Orlando, Florida.

As good as Griffin is right now, logic has everyone wondering just how good can he be?  That’s a question Eric Griffin wants to find the answer to as well, which isn’t great news for opponents!

Without further ado, here is 23 questions with Campbell University’s Eric Griffin!

23 Questions With Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?

Eric Griffin:  About the age of 8 watching the Orlando Magic, I fell in love with the game.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

EG:  #21, my pastor blessed me with this number.

3.  Do you have a nickname?

EG:  E-money.

4.  Favorite Food?

EG:  Hot Wings.

5.  Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?

EG:  I know how to Rap lol….

6.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

EG:  Cooking.

7.  Favorite Musician/Group?

EG:  Lil Wayne/One-way Boys.

8.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

EG:  This year made six three points in one game, made player of the week, and ended the game with 27pts.

9.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

EG:  That’s a really good question.  I love the game of basketball so much can’t really see myself doing anything else.

10.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

EG:  Work hard, never let your goals fall behind, play every game like it’s your last and keep faith in God.

11.  Who are your role model(s)?

EG:  Mom and Grandmother.

12. What is your earliest basketball memory?

EG:  First year playing basketball, my 12^th grade year, making the basketball team.

13.  Twitter or Facebook?

EG:  Twitter (@MRCU21)

14.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?

EG:  Kevin Durant

15.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

EG:  I don’t have a specific pair.  Any shoes will work.

16.  Favorite pre-game meal?

EG:  P&J lol…..

17.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

EG:  A good old Nap.

18.  What motivates you?

EG:  My mom.  Seeing her smile.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

EG:  Every morning I start with a run and end the day with a good workout.

EG:  Making it to the NBA and supporting my family.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?

EG:  Go Kobe lol….

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

EG:  Jordan was the man in his prime.   It would be a good game.

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

EG:  Do your best and don’t let him win!

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Thank You Eric Griffin!!!

I want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Eric Griffin for taking a few minutes away from his training and school work to be a part of the journey that is mevsMJ.com!

All the best to you this upcoming season!

You can follow Eric Griffin senior season on Twitter @MRCU21! 

Video of Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

httpvh://youtu.be/y5rszOSzxk4

Eric Griffin with one of the SICKEST DUNKS you will EVER see!

httpvh://youtu.be/SfN16daQ300

Me vs. Eric Griffin???

For inquiring minds, yes I will match-up with Eric after the season when he makes his way back to Orlando!

Until then, I’ll keep working on my game in preparation for my upcoming opponents and ultimately, Michael Jordan!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

Note:  23 Questions is a new feature here at mevsMJ.com and its goal is to shed a little light and have some fun with some of the very best basketball players in the country.  When I came up with the concept, the very first person I thought of was Morgan Jones, someone I had met a few months ago.  Morgan was happy to help and with that 23 Questions is born!

I stood stationary but ready underneath the goal, next to a young woman, one of only two at the particular workout this past May.  The coach standing behind us at the free throw line instructed, “Backboard, baseline, backboard, backboard, get the ball!”

The 6’2″ young lady and I did as instructed and then sprinted out to the three point line towards a ball sitting comfortably in a chair.  The objective being the first one to the ball would be on offense and the other on defense and then it was 1-on-1.

I got to the chair just before my opposition and nonchalantly reached for the ball.  Just as my hands were on the basketball, my opponent ripped the ball away knocking the chair over, jab stepped to the middle and went baseline laying in the contested shot.

Hello Morgan Jones!

No one told me that I was matched up against the 9th ranked high school women’s basketball player in the country according to ESPN.  They didn’t tell me I was going against a McDonald’s All-American.  I didn’t know she won a State Title for Lake Mary high school (113-11 in her HS career) or that she was Central Florida’s Girl Player of the Year.  I also didn’t know that she had signed a hoops scholarship with Northwestern University.

All I knew after she scored was that she had game and plenty of it.

This may or may not be the first you’ve heard of Ms. Morgan Jones, but either way I have a feeling it will not be the last.  She won’t allow it!

Without further ado, here is the first installment of 23 Questions, featuring Morgan Jones!

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 23 Questions with Northwestern’s own MJ, Morgan Jones:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?  

Morgan Jones:  I grew up with it.  My older sister (Tailor Jones-Also at Northwestern) played and my parents had their own organization called D.E.B.O.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

MJ:  #1 … I have had this number since I first started playing at the age of eight. Throughout the recruiting process I made sure the school had the #1. (superstitious)

3.  Favorite Food?

MJ:  I will eat just about anything but I LOVE pasta and a big fan of seafood!

4. Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?  

MJ:  I can cook!

5.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

MJ:  Singing… but sometimes I make myself believe that I can when the music’s blasting.

6.  Favorite Musician/Group?

MJ:  RICK ROSS

7.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

MJ:  As a freshman I set a goal to work to be a top ten player in the country and by the end of my junior year I was 9^th!

8.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

MJ:  Modeling.

9.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

MJ:  Have fun while working hard at it and God will take care of the rest.

10.  Who are your role model(s)?

MJ:  My Mom and Dad.

11.  What is your earliest basketball memory?

MJ:  Playing on co-ed teams at the YMCA.

12.  Twitter or Facebook?

MJ:  Twitter (@MsMorGan_JOnES)

13.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?  

MJ:  RICK ROSS haha!!

14.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

MJ:  I don’t have a specific pair but being that I’m at Northwestern, Derrick Roses’ adiZero Adidas will be on my feet this season.

15.  Favorite pre-game meal?

MJ:  Pasta

16.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

MJ:  NAP

17.  Favorite Athlete?

MJ:  Don’t have one.

18.  What motivates you?

MJ:  When one doubts me.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

MJ:  Like 5 days out of the week.  It varies with seasons.

20.  As you know, my dream is to play Michael Jordan 1-on-1, what is your dream?

MJ:  To be doing creative marketing for the NBA, Gatorade, Nike etc.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?  

MJ:  I’d dunk on him haha!!

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

MJ:    ….

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

MJ:  Just don’t let him cross you or dunk on you.  That’ll be a fair game

####

Thank You Morgan!

Special THANKS to the wonderful Morgan Jones for taking time to be a part of the journey here at mevsMJ.com!  Best of luck at Northwestern!  I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way!

Be sure to follow Morgan’s journey on Twitter @MsMorGan_JOnES!

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Road to 100 Free Throws In A Row UDPATE!

So after being stuck on 34 free throws in a row for some time, I finally broke through and made 40 in a row last week.  Honestly, I haven’t been putting in the work at the line like I need to be, but I’m still in pursuit of the goal!  40 leaves me quite a distance from my goal of 100 consecutive, but it IS POSSIBLE!  Stay tuned!!!

The journey of me vs. Michael Jordan continues!!!!  Thank you for following along!