WAITING ON HIS DREAMS TRANSFER WILL FINALLY GET A CHANCE TO SHOW HIS BASKETBALL PROWESS AT SYLMARAFTER TRANSCRIPT PROBLEMS KEPT HIM ON THE SIDELINES.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Special to the Daily News

Guy Landry came to America like so many other immigrants before him: To chase his dreams.

The 17-year-old Landry left family and friends in France, moved to California and enrolled at Sylmar High. There, he expected to take the first step on his way to his ultimate goal -- fame and fortune as a professional basketball player.

In Landry's mind, it was only a matter of time before he would catch the eye of American scouts and secure a college scholarship. From there, the NBA awaited.

Nearly six months later, Landry is learning dreams and reality are two different things. Sylmar's season is well beyond the midway point, and the 6-foot-6 forward has yet to suit up for a game -- let alone play in one -- his grand plan derailed by a paperwork troubles and problems interpreting his French school transcripts.

When Sylmar and City Section officials finally got to the bottom of things, they determined Landry was ineligible to play because his grades failed to meet the required standards.

As a result, he's had to sit and watch from the stands as Sylmar played its first 21 games, his only hope of

joining them resting on his performance in the classroom this semester.

Everything points to Landry gaining eligibility when the new semester starts Feb 2. The target date for his American debut is five days later against San Fernando.

The problem is, that leaves Landry exactly two regular-season games to show off his skills -- perhaps a few more if the Spartans make a run during next month's City Section playoffs.

Landry's American dream has turned into a nightmare.

``It's been frustrating, hard to watch,'' said Landry, who speaks limited English. ``I want to help my team but can't do anything from the bench.''

Landry, who lives with family friends, might have played earlier had his paperwork not been so confusing.

Sylmar coach Bort Escoto and athletic director Bob Miller worked extensively with LAUSD foreign student admissions counselor Mike Skolnik to figure out the French grading scale and how it translated here in the states.

In France, grades are based on a scale of 1-20 as opposed to the letter system used in the United States.

Initially, Escoto was skeptical Landry would play for the Spartans at all.

``When he first got here and I took a look at his transcripts and saw what was going on, well, let's just say I didn't really get my hopes up,'' Escoto said. ``... I just assumed that he wouldn't play for us.''

Turns out at least part of Landry's season was saved, although considerably less than he envisioned when he made the decision to come to America.

``Guy is going to make a big impact,'' Escoto said. ``It's just a shame that he's had to deal with this whole situation. He's a good kid, but you could tell he was getting aggravated and frustrated over having to deal with this situation. At times, he didn't really understand what was going on.''

The grade system is one of many differences Landry's encountered since coming to America. In France, kids don't play high school basketball, they play for club and travel teams. Sports are separate from school, and as a result, eligibility isn't based on grades.

``The way we do things here is all new to Guy,'' Escoto said. ``Here's a funny story -- some of the kids from the team invited him to a football game earlier this year, and he showed up thinking it was going to be a soccer game. When it comes to learning the culture here, he's been thrown into the fire a couple of times.''

Like waiting for officials to determine his eligibility -- but only after first making sense of his records.

``Sometimes, it can be a lengthy process. Things don't happen overnight,'' said Trent Cornelius, a special assistant in the athletics office at the City Section.

The good news for Landry is he maintained the necessary requirements through the fall semester. As good as the news is for him, it's just as good for the Spartans, who welcome the addition of the smooth-shooting wing.

The timing couldn't be better for Landry's debut. Sylmar (11-9, 5-0) is on track to win the Valley Mission League title.

Point guard Antonio Biglow is a heady floor leader and Dwight Jones and Mat Hankins are reliable perimeter shooters. Tyler Honeycutt has provided a spark off the bench and Victor Rudd, a 6-8 post player, has been dominating at times.

Now comes Landry into the equation.

``I can help my team with defense, rebounding, scoring and finishing,'' Landry said. ``I've learned watching them. Now, I want to show I can play.''

Landry isn't allowed yet to practice with the Spartans after school, but he does play during sixth-period P.E. class.

Escoto is impressed.

``This kid can do it all,'' he said.

Scouts are taking notice. Escoto has been contacted by every Pacific-10 Conference program, as well as recruiters from Louisville, Kentucky and Connecticut.

``We went to a tournament earlier this season and there was five Pac-10 teams in the stands waiting to watch him play,'' Escoto said. ``I don't know why they were there because I had already told them that he wasn't going to play.''

That will change soon.

``I'm excited. This is why I moved from France.'' Landry said. ``This is my chance.''

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Guy Landry watches the Sylmar boys' basketball team play against Panorama on Wednesday. Landry is expected to join the team in early February.

(2) Transcript problems from his school in France forced Guy Landry, top center, to sit out.

Alex Collins/ Special to the Daily News