FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said Bobby Portis doesn’t have to take the basketball program back to the NCAA Tournament all by himself.
Portis, a 6-10 freshman from Little Rock Hall, just needs to be himself, Anderson said, to have a big impact on the Razorbacks.
“There’s no pressure on Bobby Portis,” Anderson said. “He’s not the savior.
“I think he’s going to be a major contributor for our basketball team. We’ve got some other pieces as well.”
But Portis figures to be a big piece for the Razorbacks as they try to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. He’s Arkansas’ first McDonald’s High School All-American since Olu Famutimi in 2003.
“There are big expectations on me, but I don’t try to live by it,” Portis said Thursday during Arkansas’ media day at Walton Arena. “I try to take my days day-by-day and try to get better each day.
“I can’t worry about everybody else’s expectations on me.”
Portis said Anderson has talked to him about going at his own pace and not forcing things in practice. As as a senior at Hall, he averaged 20.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 blocked shots and 2.1 assists and was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Mr. Basketball.
“I think I can produce,” Portis said. “I’m just trying to help my team in any way possible. Rebound, scoring on the block. I’m just trying to make an impression.”
Teammates have praised Portis’ physical skills as well as his humble attitude.
“Coming in with so much notoriety, he has a great personality,” senior guard Fred Gulley said. “He’s a great guy, great teammate, but he’s a great basketball player, too.
“He’ll help us out a lot, and he’ll be exciting to watch. He runs the court better than any post player I’ve seen. He has great hands. He can shoot the ball. He’s a complete player.”
Senior forward Coty Clarke said Portis exhibits a strong work ethic in practice.
“He’s not one of those guys that complains about fouls,” Clarke said. “He’s just a go-getter. He loves to play defense, he loves to rebound, and he loves to do the dirty work. I love that about Bobby.”
Senior guard Rickey Scott said he’s been shocked - in a good way - by how aggressively Portis rebounds.
“He’s probably averaged 12 or 13 rebounds or more every practice,” Scott said. “I’m like, ‘This is a freshman? And he’s doing this already ?’
“There’s no telling what he’s going to do in the near future.”
Portis signed with Arkansas last November after committing to the Razorbacks in August of 2012. He said playing on an AAU team coached by Corliss Williamson - who led Arkansas to the 1994 NCAA championship and is now an assistant with the Sacramento Kings - had “a big impact” on his decision to become a Razorback.
“I started playing basketball with him in the fourth grade, and every time I’d go to his house, I’d see Razorback stuff,” Portis said. “And as a little kid, when you see Razorback stuff, that always sticks with you.
“Plus, my family lives in Little Rock. I didn’t want to go too far from my home.”
Portis said his weight is up to 242 pounds after playing at 220 last season.
“I think everybody in this state is kind of doubting me a little bit,” he said. “I was a skinny guy in Little Rock. They’re saying, ‘Yeah, Bobby can’t play physical. He’s soft.’
“But I don’t let that get to me.”
Anderson said Portis has the size to play in the post, but also the ball-handling and shooting skills to play on the perimeter.
“He’s a guy that embraces getting better each and every day,” Anderson said. “He’s one of our hardest-working kids.
“He can run with the guards, outrun most all the forwards. He just has a big time motor and wants to be a tremendous player.”
Anderson has compared Portis to Derek Hood - a McDonald’s All-American and four-year starter for the Razorbacks from 1996-1999 - in his ability to rebound and run the floor.
“Bobby’s a guy that can rebound the ball and go the other way in the same breath,” Anderson said. “He can push the ball down the floor like a point forward.”At a glance ARKANSAS RED-WHITE BASKETBALL GAME WHEN 3:30 p.m. Sunday WHERE Walton Arena. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
ADMISSION Free. Fans are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items for donation. Collection bins will be located at each entrance.
RED ROSTER Ky Madden, Alandise Harris, Bobby Portis, Fred Gulley, Kikko Haydar, Moses Kingsley and Manuale Watkins.
WHITE ROSTER Mardracus Wade, Rickey Scott, Coty Clarke, Michael Qualls, Anthlon Bell, Dee Wagner and Keaton Miles. WHAT ELSE The Razorbacks will sign autographs on the concourse after the game.
Sports, Pages 19 on 10/25/2013