COLUMBUS — Ask Toledo Libbey coach Leroy Bates what makes William Buford so special and his answer couldn’t be simpler.
“He makes the players around him better,” Bates said.
That’s an obvious reason why Buford is the 2008 Associated Press Mr. Basketball award winner.
The 6-foot-5 Buford is a blend of muscle and flash. He can drive the lane and dunk, shoot from the perimeter or contest a rebound among the trees inside.
Asked what basketball player he looked up to as a young kid, the Libbey senior said: “Oh, it was Michael Jordan. He could do everything. He could pass, play defense, shoot, rebound — he was an all-around player.”
Such is the case with the Cowboys’ shooting star. He averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game during the regular season while collecting his third consecutive Toledo City League player of the year award. He shot 62 percent from the field, 46 percent on 3-pointers and 77 percent at the line.
No wonder Ohio State coach Thad Matta, who successfully recruited Buford, is a big fan.
“William is a very gifted offensive player, can score in a variety of ways, can shoot the ball, can handle the ball, drives it and has a step-back (shot),” Matta said. “It’s good because of his size. He’s 6-5, long, just really has a great scorer’s mind. He’s very productive.”
Lexington’s fans found out just how productive he is. Heading into the regional championship game Sunday, the Minutemen supporters in the stands chanted, “We want Bu-ford!”
Well, they got him.
Despite carrying foul trouble for much of the game, and fouling out with almost three minutes left, Buford left his mark. The game hinged on a 12-0 Libbey run in the third quarter — with Buford supplying eight of the points, including a breathtaking dunk while being fouled.
“We threw an alley-oop to him and a kid pushed him in the back and his hand must have been almost to the middle part of the backboard,” Bates said. “He came down and dunked it with one hand. This was while he was going full speed.”

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