Venoy Overton

by Josh Anderson, Founder and Publisher

Hi friends. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had the pleasure of writing here. So long, in fact, that I imagine many of you started visiting us at Montlake Madness after the time I brought Craig and Griffin onboard to tackle the day-to-day writing here.

I couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out with this site, which i started two years ago this July. Craig, at first, and now, Griffin, picked up the ball without missing a beat. Reading “the Madness” and seeing the site develop in recent months — whenever I could steal a few minutes between diaper changes and bath times — has been a true treat for me (and, i think, for all of the Husky hoopheads who have found the site). Anyhow, I’m not sure if this is a one-time cameo by the site’s publisher, or maybe the start of occasionally contributing to Montlake Madness again, but thanks for having me back.

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Quick preface, lest you think I’m condoning some pretty heinous actions: if guilty of the recent allegations put against him, Venoy Overton undoubtedly deserves jail time. He is quickly redefining his reputation (from “pesky defender” to “repeat offender”) and building a track record of poor judgment.

Scarier, even, is that his recent actions suggest the very real possibility that he has a specific appetite for aggressively exercising physical control over young women. Gross.

All that said, there’s a question at the heart of the rather unique charge (for a high profile athlete) Venoy is accused of, that folds into a larger discussion going on in the sports world right now:

Did Venoy need money so badly that he was willing to risk jail time, given his past offense, to share in a fairly small amount of cash?

And, while we’re asking questions: was this the BEST idea Venoy could hatch to earn some money?

Consider Venoy’s pimpin’-ain’t-easy situation in relation to the conversation taking place recently over the idea of redefining amateurism in college sports, particularly football and hoops, the big moneymakers. It’s not a new discussion in the media, but it’s been reinvigorated largely by recent events at Ohio State. One of the litany of violations in Buckeye Nation was for players accepting payment for providing autographs, an NCAA no-no.

It’s absolutely true that by the current rules, which all players agree to uphold when they sign their scholarship papers, signing autographs for money is not allowed. But, is it really right for players to basically be precluded from doing anything to earn money trading off of the status they’ve gained from their on-field or on-court success?

Turn your minds for a moment back in time to Venoy’s junior season. Even taking his value on the floor for the team out of the equation, Venoy was among the most popular Huskies. A true puts-asses-in-the-seats guy for that Husky team.

Remember the way you felt watching Venoy pick the pocket of Derek Glasser or Nic Wise, then take it all the way back for a layup? You felt like you got your money’s worth, didn’t you? It doesn’t excuse any of his unrelated abhorrent behavior, but it’s crazy to think that he might’ve had trouble scratching together the cost of your ticket, isn’t it?

That’s right. Although reports say VO received about three grand from the woman in question during the time they knew each other, she earned only a small part of that “walking the track” for three nights over the past month. The money allegedly “earned” from his foolhardy foray into pimpdom wouldn’t even buy one of those season tickets many of us have.

Is it realistic to expect these guys to hold down jobs while taking a full course load and working hard to keep their games at a level worth paying to watch?

Maybe what Venoy did wasn’t about the money. Or, maybe it wasn’t ALL about the money. Maybe it’s about power too. Or it’s about the idea that “pimpin’” is glorified and we’re desensitized to its seriousness by pop culture.

I’m just wondering, if there had been a way for him to put a few more bucks in his pocket during his playing years
at UW whether Venoy ever gets anywhere near “the track” at all?

Maybe he does. Or maybe he does something else that’s just as stupid.

It’s just crazy to learn again and again about how cash-strapped a lot of these ballers are during their time in school.

I was eating ramen and scraping together beer money too when I was that age. Difference is that I never had gifts that could bring 10,000 screaming fans to the brink of madness. And, I had time to work too since I wasn’t busy honing said athletic gifts.

What do you all think?

Thanks for coming.

Kevin P. Casey / AP

I was thinking a lot this past week about how it seems that fans and media alike have already anointed Isaiah Thomas as next year’s team leader without considering the potential alternative.

If all goes as expected, we’ll have three seniors on next year’s squad: Justin Holiday, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, and Venoy Overton.

Holiday will bring poise and defensive toughness and likely starts as a senior. Matthew Bryan-Amaning has the tools to improve, but can’t be counted on to be a leader until he can carve out a productive niche for himself consistently in games.

But, Venoy Overton, as a senior, may have more upside potential as the heart-and-soul leader of next year’s squad than he’s getting credit for. Before you call me crazy, consider these three points:

He leads by example: I wrote about this a little the other day, but as far as I’ve seen, Venoy is a fairly soft-spoken kid. Whether it’s because he doesn’t get the attention of Quincy or Isaiah, or he’s simply not as comfortable being a mouthpiece for the team (unless, of course, you happen to be the opposing point guard), Venoy does exhibit some great leadership qualities.

His hustle and energy on the court rubs off on everyone. When he can keep himself from running kamikaze missions up and down the court, and stay away from those shoulder and hip fouls he picks up too often, Venoy has frequently been the catalyst for the team’s good play this year.

He, not Isaiah, is the team’s best penetrator: I.T. may lead the team in “ooh!” finishes around the basket, but in how many games have we seen the team stall when Isaiah can’t figure his way into a zone defense? And, at his size, Thomas will always be a risk for getting stuffed by players a foot taller.

Venoy, on the other hand, has shown recently a great ability to force himself into the lane and pick up fouls against bigger defenders. More impressive, though, is Venoy’s sense of when to drive and when not to. Consider this: he’s the only Husky (Quincy included) who regularly picks up what could be called “easy” baskets, because he knows when the defense is asleep, and can identify when he’s got a step on his defender.

The would-be game-winning bucket against UCLA was no fluke. If I’m coaching, and we have one possession and need one basket, I’m going to Quincy on the baseline or Venoy driving the lane.

Venoy may be taking a Quincy-like “mini-leap” at the end of his junior season: If I asked you, before the season started, which Husky averaging more than 20 mins/game would lead the team in assist-to-turnover ratio, you wouldn’t have said Venoy, right? Me neither.

But there we go: Venoy’s 1.7/1 assit-to-turnover number for the season isn’t a thing of beauty, but his 4.3/1 number over the last six games certainly is. And, his 2.46/1 figure in conference play (raising his game as the competition has gotten better!) leads the Pac-10 and ranks on the list of the nation’s leaders. Low on the list, but still.

No, Venoy’s 8.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, and 1.1 spg in conference play won’t qualify him for the All-Pac-10 team this year. But, bump those up to, say, 13 points (as the team’s second scoring option) and five assists next year, while continuing his progress with taking care of the basketball, and then tell me who’s a better point guard in the Pac-10?

Isaiah’s fire is critical to the team, and will be as long as he’s here. But, the same way Quincy emerged late last year, I’m getting that sense with Venoy right now.

And I expect more of the same. Because if the Huskies are going to find a way to finally win on the road, my guess is that Venoy Overton and some hardcore pressure defense are going to have a lot to do with it.

What do you think? Let me hear you!

Thanks for coming!