Imari Sawyer

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Imari Sawyer

By Michael Kosman

(Chicago, Il.) We recently had the pleasure of running into a young man who definitely was one of our favorite players to photograph in the late 1990's when this website began; King High School graduate Imari Sawyer. Sawyer as most know has had a controversial and well chronicled past in basketball.

After leaving King in 2000, Sawyer went on to star for the DePaul Blue Demons through 2002. Suspensions and troubling circumstances offset his fine guard play there, causing him not to return for his junior season. A brief CBA stint and other tryouts occurred but Sawyer not yet has caught on with a team.

Sawyer is now plying his trade on the hardwood floors of the Chicago Park District, among other places, as this 23 year old who stll lives in Chicago awaits his calling to a pro league somewhere . He participates in many leagues, and we found him doing just that at Robicheaux Park on the south side, around 95th. and the Dan Ryan.

"I've been around the house for a while taking care of my sick grandfather," he told us. "But I'm back now and ready. I don't care if it's the D-League, overseas, the CBA or whatever. I'm back." Sawyers game is still evident as we witnessed in his league play. Still quick, athletic and able to take total charge of his team, this version of Sawyer is in stark contrast to what people perceived was the old version. "I'm sorry I don't smile a lot but it's nothing personal," he said. "When I was at DePaul they made me out to be a scapegoat because of my reputation as a wild guy. That was all not true but I don't like talking about DePaul anymore. Believe me I'm always happy."

Sawyers approach is refreshing to see. His love of the game and desire to fulfill his potential is still there and hopefully will be realized. "It's basketball and I love to play it. It's fun," he said with a buoyant attitude in the locker room after he led his team to the championship of the league he was playing in. "I like to make everyone look good first and than I look good. I like to pass the ball and get everyone involved and do whatever it is they ask me to do. I'm a team player and always have been."


	WEB SPORTS CHICAGO \| home Imari Sawyer By Michael Kosman (Chicago, Il.) We recently had the pleasure of running into a young man who definitely was one of our favorite players to photograph in the late 1990's when this website began; King High School graduate Imari Sawyer. Sawyer as most know has had a controversial and well chronicled past in basketball. After leaving King in 2000, Sawyer went on to star for the DePaul Blue Demons through 2002. Suspensions and troubling circumstances offset his fine guard play there, causing him not to return for his junior season. A brief CBA stint and other tryouts occurred but Sawyer not yet has caught on with a team. Sawyer is now plying his trade on the hardwood floors of the Chicago Park District, among other places, as this 23 year old who stll lives in Chicago awaits his calling to a pro league somewhere . He participates in many leagues, and we found him doing just that at Robicheaux Park on the south side, around 95th. and the Dan Ryan. "I've been around the house for a while taking care of my sick grandfather," he told us. "But I'm back now and ready. I don't care if it's the D-League, overseas, the CBA or whatever. I'm back." Sawyers game is still evident as we witnessed in his league play. Still quick, athletic and able to take total charge of his team, this version of Sawyer is in stark contrast to what people perceived was the old version. "I'm sorry I don't smile a lot but it's nothing personal," he said. "When I was at DePaul they made me out to be a scapegoat because of my reputation as a wild guy. That was all not true but I don't like talking about DePaul anymore. Believe me I'm always happy." Sawyers approach is refreshing to see. His love of the game and desire to fulfill his potential is still there and hopefully will be realized. "It's basketball and I love to play it. It's fun," he said with a buoyant attitude in the locker room after he led his team to the championship of the league he was playing in. "I like to make everyone look good first and than I look good. I like to pass the ball and get everyone involved and do whatever it is they ask me to do. I'm a team player and always have been."