Josh Boone lay sprawled across a sun-soaked bench on the campus of West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Md. As he read a book, his lanky frame occupied the entire bench.

Boone sat there absorbed in ‘The Brothers Karamazov,’ a 19th Century Russian novel. Michael O’Loughlin, the assistant head of West Nottingham Academy inconspicuously approached him. The two talked a bit, and the conversation inevitably turned to the large book in Boone’s hands. When asked for his thoughts on the novel, Boone responded with a surprisingly succinct and detailed analysis.

‘He gave an explanation you would expect out of a college senior, not a high school senior or someone doing a post-graduate year,’ O’Loughlin said. ‘I will never forget that.’

Boone’s intelligence on and off the basketball court has impressed many people and earned him the starting center position for Connecticut. Boone and the Huskies face Syracuse tonight at 7 in the Carrier Dome.

After a national championship run last year in which another notably smart center Emeka Okafor led the Huskies (14-5, 6-3 Big East), Boone has serviceably filled the center position that Okafor left vacant. He is averaging 13.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Even when the sophomore discusses basketball, he breaks the sport down like a science. He describes how the ball comes off the backboard at certain angles and the probability of making a foul shot based upon having the feet set in a particular position.

In the off-season, Boone put his smarts to work, continually putting time in to improve his offensive skills. Aided by the UConn coaching staff, he added an ability to score to an already impressive repertoire.

‘(My improvement’s) not even close because of the coaching I’m getting,’ Boone said. ‘I’m learning how to play the game. I’ve improved my basketball IQ.’

Even with all the hard work he puts into basketball, Boone still focuses on academics first. Basketball – while still important – is almost secondary for Boone.

‘I work hard because without grades, there’s no basketball,’ Boone said.

And Boone made his mark in the classroom at West Nottingham.

Originally, Boone decided to attend a prep school for a year because he was too wiry to play Division I basketball. When Boone visited West Nottingham for the first time, the coaches said it appeared like Boone had not eaten in years.

‘He was so thin when he came to visit during his senior year, he was almost emaciated,’ O’Loughlin said. ‘Now you look at him and he’s gotten a lot stronger.’

But Boone also grew academically at West Nottingham. He made the first honor roll, tutored children and took all honors courses while still playing basketball.

Boone took those courses seriously, often interrupting class with a challenging or intriguing question. Boone’s teacher often led discussions for a week or two off one of his questions.

‘He was one of the nicest encounters in my 33 years of education,’ O’Loughlin said. ‘He was a cut above the rest, mature beyond his years. I made it a point to chat with him. It was always refreshing. He would surprise you. He’s a very deep thinker.’

And that thinker’s mentality helps Boone on the basketball court. While the emotion surrounding a crucial game often overtakes players, Boone remained even-keeled. When his team needed a big play, it turned to Boone.

‘He was soft-spoken, but a great leader because he was the voice of reason,’ O’Loughlin said. ‘If the guys started pointing fingers or fighting, Josh would calm them down and remind them they were a team. It was like having an assistant coach on the floor.’

Boone’s attitude about academics and basketball drew him close to then-West Nottingham coach Raphael Chillious, who became like a father-figure to Boone. When Boone left for UConn, Chillious took a job at South Kent School, in close proximity to the Connecticut campus in Storrs.

Whether it was in psychology class or in practice, Boone showed Chillious tremendous work ethic. Boone would stay after class to discuss concepts with his coach that interested him. Then in practice, Boone would lead wind sprints, often beating smaller and quicker guards. Chillious said Boone always finished sprints in the top three.

‘He did everything you asked of him and more,’ Chillious said. ‘He worked harder than everyone else.’

While Boone is so focused on academics, he’s still determined to make a future in basketball. He said he’d like to either play in the NBA or overseas after leaving Connecticut.

‘I have some aspirations and I’ll work a lot more to get them,’ Boone said. ‘I’m not gonna let myself down.’

Published on February 6, 2005 at 12:00 pm