Phaler Looks to Bulk Up

Sean Phaler is adept at waiting to grow into things.

As an eighth grader, he was offered a $60,000-a-year job as a graphic designer by a company that had seen his work on the Internet. The kid had to hold off on a shopping spree when the company’s background check revealed his age, but the talent was already there.

The talent is already there on the basketball court for Phaler, the UCLA-bound senior forward from Villa Park (6-4) with the deft outside shooting touch. The only question is whether the standout will grow the inches and add the pounds necessary to become a front-line college player or remain more of a perimeter threat.

At 6 feet 9 and 185 pounds, Phaler is as stick-thin as a runway model. He has tried everything from weight training to fattening foods, yet has the body fat of a dragonfly. Repeating the eighth grade to physically mature didn’t help either.

“I’ve taken three shakes a day,” Phaler said. “I’ve tried every meal, been to three different nutritionists, everything. Nothing’s worked.”

Phaler is aware of what his lack of bulk could mean at the college level after getting pushed around during summer workouts with Jason Kapono and Ray Young of UCLA

“They’re just physically way too strong for me,” said Phaler, who is weighing whether to sit out next season as a redshirt. “I’m not at UCLA’s level yet.”

When it comes to making shots from the perimeter, Phaler is at a high level. His wingspan makes it difficult for other big men to guard him near the three-point line, where he often camps out and knocks down shot after shot. He is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Villa Park Coach Kevin Reynolds said Phaler could probably make an impact in college as a perimeter threat or someone who draws post players outside, then drives past them to the basket.

“He’s never going to be a power post guy. We know that,” Reynolds said. “What he needs to do is a good job flashing and slashing to the post, making the mismatch more difficult [for his defender].”

Reynolds is demanding more from Phaler to get him ready for UCLA. The coach said he used the same tactic with Eric Chenowith, who blossomed into the Big 12 Conference freshman of the year at Kansas.

*

It might seem odd to covet a matchup against a team with a 3-6 record, but that is how Los Angeles Pacific Hills players approached their nonleague game against Beverly Hills on Friday.

The schools are within three miles of each other. Some Beverly Hills students attend Pacific Hills for summer school, and players from each team have scrimmaged against each other. One mutual alumna is Monica S. Lewinsky, who attended Beverly Hills and then transferred to Pacific Hills.

Although Beverly Hills’ enrollment is about 10 times larger, Pacific Hills (7-4) won, 54-44. Pacific Hills Coach Kevin Kelsey likened the triumph to a little brother beating a big brother.

Staff writer Bob Rohwer contributed to this report.