In the history of Arkansas basketball it would be hard to find one guy that is as gritty as Courtney Fortson. Two words best describe the game of Courtney Fortson: tough and fearless. I wanted to take a little time to place Courtney's game under a microscope and dissect what makes this 5'10 guard play like he does!
Once player of the year in Alabama, Fortson then moved on to Patterson, North Carolina, then became the starting point guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He has always shown an ability to play larger than he is. A Rivals recruiter said about him that he has never seen a 5'10 player rebound like Fortson. Everything that you read about Courtney made you feel like he would be a player that could lead the Hogs to another level.
With all his ability and the numbers that he put up in high school he was given the responsibility of bringing the Hogs back to a relevance in the SEC. However, the well documented suspension and off the court problems have seemed to dampen his short career thus far. This hard-nosed little guard from Alabama has had hurdles to climb, but to his credit he has rolled with the punches. Missing nearly half of his sophomore season due to suspension, Courtney took his time from the team to gather himself and take a step forward in his life.
Fortson rejoined the team January 5, 2010 against Texas and immediately you could see his presence was huge. Arkansas took the then #2 nationally ranked team to the wire at Bud Walton Arena, where Arkansas endured the defeat, but immediate improvement was noticed. Then close losses to Mississippi State at the "HUMP" and a tough loss at home to Florida bookended a home win against Alabama. Fortson played well in those games, but only once, against Alabama were the Hogs able to get the win. Then the Hogs traveled to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky and took a beating unlike any Razorback team in the past had ever taken. The message boards called for Pelphrey's head and insulted to individual players and Arkansas sports radio call in shows made it sound like the program would never again stand up on its feet. Much like a great fighter past his prime facing a new champion, Hog fans young and old had thrown in the towel. Then, something happened January 28, 2010 in the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Mr. Fortson seeing a considerable deficit after the team "laid down" in the first half, took over the game, scoring 33 of his 35 points in the second half. This came after he twisted his ankle driving to the basket in the first half. Even with that bum ankle, Fortson was able to push this team to a new level.
His heart and will to win took a below-average Razorback team that had no leadership and no direction to a place that no Hog team has been to in quite some time, and that is sole possesion of first place in the SEC west. Fortson's heart has become infectious and he has placed this team on a small pair of shoulders. With flowing dreads and a body that looks like a defensive back, this guy has turned a team that seemed hopeless into a team that is giving Hog fans something to talk about. No matter the situation or score he wants the ball and he will keep pushing the team till the buzzer blows. Whether it's the best center inside or its the best guard in the nation outside, Fortson sees nothing but himself and the rim and he doesn't think anyone can stop him. Someday down the road we are going to look back when we are dancing again as a high seed in the NCAA tourney and we will think of how Courtney Fortson and his positive attitude single handedly brought the Hogs back into championship contention.
A young man that didn't pack it in after his suspension and didn't quit on his coach or his team, grew up and became a man. Courtney Fortson became a leader.
"If you want to see how good of a leader you are, turn around and see who is following"-John Maxwell
Courtney Fortson may be the toughest Hog that has ever graced the court. So here's a little shout out from the Sports Blitz gang, thank you for being a man and being a true Hog. When you look at the expectations that where placed on Fortson early in his career, you may wonder if Fortson is really a leader and if he has brought the Razorbacks back to relevance. I say the answer is, unequivocally, YES.