The Michael Jordan All-Star basketball game has attracted some prime-time high school players over the years.

Last year, for instance, the Jordan game featured Tyreke Evans, now a star point guard for Memphis, DeMar DeRozan, now a standout at Southern Cal, and Brandon Jennings, who is playing in Italy.

An even more familiar figure who played in the Jordan game was North Carolina's All-American forward Tyler Hansbrough.

All of those players are projected first-round picks in this summer's NBA draft.

Next month's Jordan game will also showcase some of the best prep players in America, one being Jamil Wilson of Horlick High School.

Wilson recently accepted an invitation to play in the game, which will be held April 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Special relationship

Wilson announced his decision to attend the University of Oregon March 8 - the birthday of his late mother, Carolyn.

That spoke volumes of Jamil's love for her.

At that same press conference, Jamil was flanked at the podium by some others he holds near and dear to his heart: his sisters: Kamisha and Jazmin, grandmother D. Christine May and aunt Karlos Graham.

Conspicuous by his absence was Jamil's father, James.

Instead, James stood quietly and proudly in the back of the Horlick gym - far away from the limelight. And that's the way he wanted it.

During the entire recruiting process of his son, James was reluctant to talk to the media, constantly saying it was about Jamil and not him.

"My dad is probably the most humble guy you'll meet in your life," Jamil said. "My dad is a cool, laid-back guy."

Unlike so many overzealous parents, James didn't attempt to dictate where his son should go to college - even though it would have been so much more convenient if Jamil had chosen Wisconsin or Marquette.

"My dad helped me a lot," Jamil said. "He said wherever you feel most comfortable is where you should go. He was behind me with whatever I did."

Can't we just be friends?

The last time the Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals was 2001.

Two of the major reasons for their success were coach George Karl and All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen.

It was no secret then that Karl and Allen weren't bosom buddies and some insist it was because of their acrimonious relationship that Allen was traded to Seattle.

However, there are others who insist the deal was made because of financial reasons. The Bucks saved more than $20 million on the transaction.

Nevertheless, the Bucks have never been the same.

I asked Allen, who was in Milwaukee Sunday with the reigning champion Boston Celtics, if he's reconciled with Karl, now the coach of the Denver Nuggets.

"Not really," Allen said. "I can't say we have."

Allen, who admitted he enjoyed playing for the Bucks and wanted to end his career in Milwaukee, said the Bucks could have had continued success if he had stayed in Milwaukee.

"We were one game away from the NBA Finals," said Allen, referring to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001, when the Bucks lost the playoff series 4-3 to the Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers.

"So, you can't tell me we didn't have a good formula to keep winning."

The good old days

Legendary guard Walt "Clyde" Frazier and Racine native Jim Chones exchanged pleasantries at a recent Bucks game at the Bradley Center.

Chones and Frazier became close friends back in 1977 after Frazier was traded by the New York Knicks to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After Frazier had lived briefly in a Cleveland apartment, Chones graciously invited Frazier to live with him and his family.

Frazier was asked what stood out in the time he spent with Chones.

"Music," Frazier said. "Jim loves music, all kinds of music."

Frazier laughed and said, "I remember he would play Steely Dan. I had never heard of Steely Dan."

Around the horn

So whatever happened to Patrick Hazel? Two months ago, I would have gone to the bank believing he would play a key role for Marquette come tournament time. … In my last column, I noted how the Green Bay Packers are interested in drafting an offensive tackle. Well, add Andre Smith of Alabama to the list. Packers GM Ted Thompson recently checked him out up close and personal - even though Smith reported to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis grossly out of shape and then proceeded to leave it without giving advance notification. … Phil Pressey, the son of former Bucks guard Paul Pressey, is a standout guard for Episcopal School of Dallas. The 5-foot-9 Pressey has drawn interest from several colleges, including Marquette. … My Final Four picks: Wake Forest, Memphis, Pittsburgh and North Carolina.

Gery Woelfel is a reporter for The Journal Times. Gery can be reached by calling (262) 634-3322, Ext. 322, or by e-mail at gery.woelfel@lee.net Gery's "Woelfel World of Sports" blogs can be read at www.journaltimes.com