A whirlwind summer for Linn-Mar's Paige

MARION - Marcus Paige has his own Wikipedia page now. That's how big he has gotten.

Though he was just one of the kids Friday night, packed into the student section for Linn-Mar's first home football of the season. It was good to be home for the senior basketball point guard and North Carolina commitment.

Finally.

"Yeah, I'm kind of tired. It'll be good to get a little rest," Paige said. "But I'm not tired of basketball. I've got to get ready for the season."

Unbelievably, Paige spent all of four nights sleeping in his own bed in July and August. His basketball travel itinerary bordered on insane.

There was Marcus at a camp sponsored by NBA superstar Lebron James in Akron, Ohio. There was Marcus going head to head in competition against NBA guards Brandon Jennings and Deron Williams.

There was Marcus in Chicago and South Carolina, Florida and Portland, Ore. There was Marcus on ESPN, playing on an outdoor court in Venice Beach, Calif.

"That was awesome," Paige said. "I've never played outside like that before. That was probably the most fun I had."

Paige is considered one of the top 25 seniors in the country and played like it this summer. Hence all the invitations to elite events.

It was awesome to rub elbows with guys like James, whom Paige said "was really cool off the court." Joining Lebron in the NBA some day is his ultimate goal.

"That's the place I'd like to get to some day," Paige said.

But he's got his head on his shoulders, as you expect. First it's resting up a little bit, then getting ready to help Linn-Mar defend its Class 4A state championship.

Then it'll be graduation and time to head to Chapel Hill, where he hopes he's joined by Sioux City East's Adam Woodbury. The 7-footer really improved this summer, according to AAU teammate Paige, which led to a North Carolina offer.

"I know getting a big man is a priority for us," Paige said. "I'm trying (to coax him to UNC). I know he's got quite a few options. Ultimately it's going to be his decision."