Basketball: ASU's Abbott right at home

When Christmas morning came this year Ty Abbott was back, as usual, at his mom's Ahwatukee Foothills house.

"Things haven't changed," the former Desert Vista basketball star said.

Maybe not from his perspective.

But, considering the course Abbott's basketball career has taken since he played in Desert Vista's Storm Center, the current status quo could be a pleasant relief.

In the fall of his senior year Abbott accepted an offer to play basketball at the University of New Mexico.

Then, while Abbott was wrapping up his career with the Thunder, the Lobos parted ways with coach Richie McKay, leaving Abbott with a decision to make: did he want to go through with an unknown future in Albuquerque or look at other options?

That's when Arizona State University and coach Herb Sendeck snatched him from the threshold of oblivion and literally put him in the spotlight as a starting guard for the Sun Devils.

In that respect, things haven't changed for Abbott.

As a sophomore he is still starting for an ASU basketball team that has recaptured an enthusiastic audience.

"It's kind of surprising how I got here," Abbott said. "You always hope to have a good coach, someone to work with you, develop your skills and have confidence in you. That's the big thing. And I'm with guys who want to play the right way and play together. I know what to expect now and I know what's expected of me.

He probably exceeded that as a freshman when he started all 34 games for the Sun Devils, averaged almost 10 points per game and made 76 three-point shots making him one of the top 10 freshmen long-range shooters in Pac-10 history.

This season, Abbott started every game again and is the third leading scorer behind senior Jeff Pendergraph and classmate James Harden. He has averaged 11.3 points per game, including 22 three-pointers, and 57 rebounds.

"I was in a bit of a slump at the beginning of the year," Abbott said. "It's all about getting rhythm and confidence in your shot and I'm gaining confidence."

But he hasn't forgotten how to play defense.

"No matter how good you're shooting, you still have to play defense," Abbott explained, "and that can be the hardest thing about playing in college."

Last season Sendeck called Abbott a Godsent to the program and he hasn't changed his opinion.

"He is clearly one of the leaders of our program," Sendek said. "He's a tremendous competitor, a very smart player and one of our cornerstones."

Abbott was part of a freshman class that included Harden, Jamelle McMillian and Rihards Kuksiks.

"A lot of those guys were baptized by fire last year," Sendek added. "Ty did pretty well as a freshman and having that year under his belt is very helpful."

Even those road trips to California, Oregon and Washington are also starting to become routine.

"It's good to get away, but sometimes it can seem like a long time on the road," explained Abbott, sociology major.

But there's always Christmas at mom's house.