I got this from HoopsTV.com. I thought this was a nice little way of getting to know a little bit more about Steve's beginnings: 1. It was a sweltering summer afternoon in College Park, Md., and the auxiliary gym in the Cole Field House was a sweat box. During the hoop off-season, a number of pros and some of the University’s finest ballers always gathered in the small gym for some serious run. This particular day was no different with Chris Webber, Michael Adams and Rod Strickland – among others – hitting the boards in the midst of the mid-day heat. The regulars didn’t notice the one newcomer, a kid fresh from his high school graduation. The unknown baller waited his turn on the sidelines as the first game got under way. As he stretched and looked over the competition, a feeling of confidence slowly seeped over his body. He could hang with these guys, he knew he could. At the conclusion of the first run, the newcomer joined the challengers on the court. They were to face the team led by Chris Webber. The run started and, as usual, C-Webb was being his typical smack spewing self as he sprinted to D-up his man during the second trip back down the floor. “I don’t get dunked on. Ain’t no one ever dunked on me,” he taunted. The words were barely out of his mouth when a shot was heaved from the top of the key. C-Webb turned to face the rim and his body tensed as he prepared to snag a potential rebound. The shot clanged off the tin and Webber coiled to spring skyward. Just as he prepared to elevate, he felt something brush past his shoulder. He looked up just in time to see the new kid jumping over his back to catch the rebound above the rim before banging it home with a vicious one handed flush. After the monster slam, the kid ended up sitting on Webber’s shoulders like he was preparing for a chicken fight in the shallow end of the city pool. The gym was filled with the sounds from the howling onlookers as the two were separated. "No one does that to me,” said Webber. The new kid just smiled. Steve Francis had arrived. His legend was born. ------------------
