PAYSON — A dozen or so years ago, Craig Buys made what he viewed as a family investment. He added a 16-foot-high and 30-foot-by-30-foot gymnasium onto his Payson home.
His wife uses the gym to teach dancing, which brings a few extra dollars into the Buys household, but perhaps the biggest return has come via the gym's basketball hoop. The four Buys children have spent a good share of their youth tossing basketballs in that direction, honing their skills in a sport that has been a strong family tradition for more than three decades.
"I figured if we got one college education paid for out of it that it would be a pretty good return," Craig Buys said.
The Buys have already got that when son Brady had a successful enough basketball career at Payson High a few years back to earn him a scholarship to a California junior college. Now they're hoping that youngest son — Jordan, the quick and feisty 5-foot-8 point guard of the Payson Lions — will get a similar opportunity.
"Jordy's not a physical presence by any means, but he impacts the game on both offense and defense," Craig Buys said. "He's a tenacious defender and he sees the floor as good as any point guard that I've seen. If he was 6-foot-1 with the same stats that he has right now, coaches would be all over him. If someone doesn't pick him up, I think they're nuts."
This isn't just some overzealous and bias father giving a sales pitch. Payson people know Craig Buys knows basketball. He's been involved in the game his entire life. In the late '70s, he was a three-sport star for the Lions, earning all-region honors in basketball and all-state honors in football and baseball. He's considered one of the town's best athletes ever.
And many others around the valley and state agree with dad's assessment of Jordan's basketball skills. Many say Jordan is the battery that keeps the Lions running smoothly, and most feel he's one of the state's top point guards.
"Jordan's a very good player," Payson coach Dan Lunt said. "He does a good job for us."
While Craig was more of a scorer, a player who could shoot from outside and take the ball hard to the basket, his sons have more of a true play-making point-guard style. Brady relied more on quickness and speed. Jordan's game is similar, except he's not quite the scorer that his brother and dad were.
"They're both bigger than me, so I have to do the little things that count," Jordan said in comparing his game to those of his dad and brother. "They were more finishers to the basket, and I'm more of a behind-the-arc kind of player."
Passing the ball and creating shots for others are clearly Jordan's strengths. He learned at home early in his career that assists are just as praiseworthy as points and that turnovers can be avoided. In his career, Jordan is averaging less than two turnovers per game while averaging nearly double that many assists.
"You probably don't get talked about as much in the paper and stuff, but to me as long as I get my few assists per game that means I'm doing my job and doing what I need to do to help my team win. That's what a good point guard is supposed to do," Jordan said.
A good point guard also takes on a leadership role, and that's what Jordan feels he brings to the Lions' lineup this season.
"I need to get everyone involved, but when the opportunity comes around I also need to score. If I don't shoot when I'm open, I'm going to hear about it when I get home."
And Jordan has proven that he can score when needed. In last week's region-opening win at Provo, he finished as the Lions' high scorer with 16 points. He sank four clutch free throws down the stretch and made four 3-pointers, including a back-breaking off-balance bomb to end the third quarter.
"I know Jordan's going to do that if they give him space, and they gave him space and he knocked the shots down," Lunt said.
Defensively, Jordan is always guarding bigger and stronger players. But coaches around the valley will attest that he never backs down or shies away from physical opponents. He's masterful at taking away the strengths of those he's guarding and getting into the passing lanes. At times he gets a mean and angry look on his face when he gets bumped around, and his desire can't overcome an opponent's size. But he usually responds with positive results on the other end of the floor.
"He never takes himself out of the game, and he plays within himself and lets the game come to him," Craig said.
The instruction between father and son doesn't always end come game time. During breaks in the game, Jordan often looks to his dad for positive or negative feedback. The two have signs that remind Jordan of things he needs to do to be a good court leader and good point guard.
"He helps me to just be really smart with the ball and not to make stupid mistakes," Jordan said.
"I don't want to distract and the coach always comes first, but kids are always going to look at their dad," Craig said.
While the opportunity to play basketball at the next level is a dream of Jordan's, right now that's an uncertainty because of his size. He'll need to prove to a college coach that he can overcome that obstacle. For the time being, however, his only concern is helping Payson win. The Lions are considered one of the state's top 4A teams and a team very capable of winning the state championship. Jordan knows that's reachable if the Lions remain confident, play hard and play smart.
"Nothing gets me more excited than a good team victory," Jordan said. "That's the most satisfying thing about playing basketball. I feel best when we can come together and play well."
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com