GASO: 2 minutes with Sheldon McClellan

DUNCANVILLE, Texas - Houston Bellaire star guard Sheldon McClellan is all about making the moment count. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound combo guard knows that with every possession lies an opportunity to prove if he is the best player in the Class of 2011. McClellan, ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 47 nationally by Rivals.com, has shown his worth multiple times, and colleges took notice very early in his high school career.

McClellan has verbally committed to play for the University of Texas. McClellan, like many other players at this weekend's Great American Shoot-Out, has dedicated the rest of the summer and his senior season to Tobi Oyedeji and Deion Jackson-Houston, two players who recently were killed in separate automobile accidents within a seven-week span.

TexasHoops.com Senior Writer Damon Sayles had a chance to chat with McClellan, who has led his team to the semifinal round of the GASO NBA Red Division.

2 MINUTES WITH SHELDON McCLELLAN

With being a top-ranked in-state recruit comes pressure … or does it?

"It's been good. I'm trying to get these dubs [wins] out here. I'm playing hard for Deion and Tobi."

How close were you all?

"We were very close. It was like they were brothers to me. I'm just playing for them."

How important has this summer been for you personally?

"It's been very important. I've got an X on my back, so I've got to play to my expectations. I have to make Texas look good and make myself look good."

You're ranked No. 2 in the state. Does it bother you that you're not ranked No. 1?

"A little bit … nah, a lot."

What have you been working on to improve this summer?

"My jump shot's gotten a lot better. I can shoot it when I'm wide open, but I've been trying to get better on my 1-2-dribble-shoot."

You're committed to Texas. For those Longhorns fans out there, how solid is that verbal?

"It's pretty solid. That's where I'm going … nowhere else. I wanted to stay in Texas, and the academics there is good. The basketball is good, too, and I wanted to surround myself around all that."

This will be your last GASO. How many of the GASO tournaments have you competed in?

"I think about 10 of them. I've been every year. I like this tournament. This year, there are 300 teams from all over the country. The competition is always good."