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High School



Last Updated 6/25
News!

It looks like finally, the good but not out of this world high school ballers have learned from the Tracy McGradys and the Jermaine O'Neals, that unless you are going to be an instant impact like Kobe or KG, then you should stay in school. However, in every case there is an exception and in this case there are a couple of exceptions.

Exception number one, Jonathan Bender. With the stunning performance he put on at the McDonald's All-American Game, he showed what truly special gifts and talents he has. Also, with Bender having commented to reporters that if NBA scouts were to tell him that he would be picked in the lottery then why wouldn't he declare himself eligible for the draft. Oh yea, Jonathan, start packing your bags for the NBA because if what you said was true then your already a sure fire lottery pick with this year being a weak draft.

Exception number two, Leon Smith (6'10" power forward from Chicago.) Leon has had a tougher life then most could imagine. When Leon was just a child his father cut out on him and his siblings. Then, soon after his mom did the same, leaving Leon a ward of the state. Leon lived most all of his life traveling from group home to group home. With all of this happening to the big fella, he still seems to come off a genuinely nice guy, with a good heart. However, it seems as if he is going to come short academically to qualify for college. Best of luck to Leon Smith in whatever he may encounter in the future.Illinois-There seems to be yet another tremendous upcoming senior class in the never talent laden high school b-ball in Illinois. With the exception of last year with Leon Smith Illinois has yet to produce any true centers in recent time and this year is no different.
Top Players, Illinois:
Class of 2000>>>
6'10" Darius Miles-(#1 player in the nation, Yes nation) Versatility is his game. He can no doubt bring the ball up the court or kill you in the paint with exceptional leaping ability.Has all the tools and is the total package. There are rumors floating that after senior year of H.S. he might declare for the draft.
6'2" Imari Sawyer-Quick and creative. With the departure of Leon Smith will now be the focal point of powerhouse M.L. King in Chicago.
6'9" Andre Brown-True big man yet in more of a power forward mold. Strong inside with good hands.
6'5" Brett Melton-A true scorer. Knows how to put points on the board. Has nice hops.
6'8" T.J. Cummings-Son of Golden State's Terry. T.J. is a good ball player and exceptional leaper. Power forward or small forward?

As Illinois is loaded with tons of great talent in the upcoming senior class (class of Y2K), it seems as if nationally there is as well a strong crop of high school seniors.
Top Players Nationally:
Class of Y2K:>>>
1)6'9" Darius Miles WF Lincoln (East St. Louis, IL) AAU/Illinois Warriors- The national rankings start right where Illinois' rankings start. This all-around player is able to not only play all five positions defensively but offensively, as well. Has the potential to become something real special.
2)6'10" Alton Ford PF/C Milby (Houston, TX) AAU/Houston Select- Already a physically imposing player, there are rumors that after his senior year he might toss out the college brochures and chase the riches in the NBA. However, if anybody can do it in this senior class it might be him, just for the fact that he is already physically mature and seems to have his head on straight.
3)6'3" Marcus Taylor PG/SG Waverly (Lansing, MI)
4)6'5" Deshawn Stevenson SG Washington Union (Fresno, CA)
5)6'0" Omar Cook PG Christ the King (Queens, NY) AAU/Riverside Church
6)6'5" Jerome Harper SG Keenan (Mullins, SC) AAU/S.C Topps
7)6'8"Eddie Griffin WF/PF Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, PA) AAU/Tim Thomas Playaz
8)6'7"Gerald Wallace Alabama Ice
9)6'2"Chris Duhon PG Salmen (Slidel, LA) AAU/New Orleans Jazz
10)6'10"Jarred Jeffries PF/C North (Bloomington, IN) AAU/Bloomington Red
11)6'1"Taliek Brown PG St. Johns Prep (Queens, NY) AAU/Houston Jaguars
12)6'6"Caron Butler P/WF, (Bray Center Nike)
13)6'1"Imari Sawyer PG Martin Luther King (Chicago, IL) AAU/Illinois Fire
14)5'8"Andre Barrett PG Rice (Manhattan, NY) AAU/Bronx Ravens
15)6'3" Scooter Sherrill, Charlotte Royals
> 6'7"Nick Anderson, Houston Hoops
> 6'6"Luke Whitehead WF/SG St. Ignatius (San Francisco, CA)

Class of 2001:>>>
1)DaJuan Wagner 6-3 PG/SG Camden (Camden, NJ)) AAU/Del Val Hoops
2)Rashaad Carruth 6-4 SG Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA) AAU/Del Val Hoops
3)Robert Whaley 6-9 PF Benton Harbor (Benton Harbor, MI)
4)Dennis Latimore 6-8 WF/PF Mountain View (Mesa, AZ)
5)Kelvin Torbert 6-3 SG Northwestern (Flint, MI)
6)Eddie Curry 6-10 C Thornwood (South Holland, IL) AAU/Illinois Warriors
7)Chris Thomas 6-1 PG Pike (Indianapolis, IN) AAU/Bloomington Red
8)Tyson Chandler 7-0 C Dominguez (Compton, CA) AAU/Southern California All Stars
9)Jordan Collins 6-10 PF/C Dematha (Hyattsvile, MD)
10)Najeeb Echols 6-7 WF Whitney Young (Chicago, IL) AAU/Illinois Warriors
>Apolinar Fernandez 6-9 PF/C Artesia (Lakewwood, CA)
>Greg Tinch 6-5 WF Westover (Albany, GA)
>Cornelius Miitchell 6-0 PG Josey (Augusta, GA)

Class of 2002:>>>
1)6'3"Sean Dockery PG Julian (Chicago, IL)
2)6'4"Antonio Lawrence SG Wolfson (Jacksonville, FL)
3)6'11"Martin Iti C Cardinal Gibbons (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
4) 6'8"Shelden Williams PF/C Midwest City (Midwest City, OK)
5)6'8"Stan Gaines WF/PF Providence St. Mel (Chicago, IL) 6'2"Chad Moore PG Lee (Huntsville, AL)
6'5"Latavian Radford WF/PF Holy Innocence (Norcross, GA)
6'5"Lenny Cooke WF LaSalle (Manhattan, NY)
6'1"Marshall Strickland PG Winchendon (Winchendon, MA)
6'7"Charles Rodriguez PF/C Clovis West (Fresno, CA)
6'4"Arthur Onuora 6-4 SG Baldwin (Baldwin, NY)
6'9"DeAngelo Collins C Tustin (Tustin, CA)
6'5"Mike Blackshear WF Simon Gratz (Philadelphia, PA)
6'10"Ted Sckuchas C Germantown Academy (Ft. Washington, PA)
6'6"Darius Sanders PF Dominguez (Compton, CA)
6'4"Zakee Boyd SG Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, NJ)
6'1"Olabode Olukanni PG Lincoln (Brooklyn, NY)




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College


Jason Williams

Brett Nelson

News!

With the spring signing period over with looks like Duke and Florida have a lock on the first and second best recruiting classes. In Duke's case they have a potential sequel to Michigan's late, great "Fab Five." In Duke's potential Fab FiveII are:6'9" powerhouse Carlos Boozer,6'7" sharp shooter Michael Dunleavy Jr. (son of Portland Trailblazers coach),6'2" McDonald's player of the year Jason Williams,6'10" emerging prospect Nick Horvath, and 6'11" light weight yet versatile Casey Sanders. In Florida's case they are bringing in two more McDonald's All-Americans, just as they did last year with Ted Dupay and Mike Miller. This year they are adding two great prospects in 6'3" point guard Brett Nelson and 6'8" power forward Donnell Harvey. In Nelson, the Gators have another Jason Williams type player. It is uncanny how similar Williams and Nelson are both on and off the court. They both grew up in West Virginia (about an hour away from each other), they both play with such a flashy style that is reminesent to Pistol Pete and, they both chose Florida as their college of choice (Williams first attended Marshall University then transferred to Florida following his coach at Marshall, Billy Donovan.) However, they are hopeing that Nelson will stay longer then Jason did as he was kicked out after his first year at Florida for drug charges. In Harvey, the Gators get what most people call the number one prospect in the nation.

News!

Although Depaul's recruiting class is underrated it should definitely be taken seriously with the addition of 6'4" Junior College stud Paul McPherson. As some observers have apparently over looked McPherson, Depaul definitely knows what's going on as McPherson is a superb athlete comparable to the likes of yes, Vince Carter. In addition, with Quienten Richardson returning and two top recruits in McPherson and 7' Steven Hunter the Blue Demons will surly contend for the national championship.

News!

Recent sighnings include sharp shooting Jason Kapoono commiting to UCLA. Also, speaking of UCLA, that is where many observers projected Kareem Rush to go with his older brother JaRon already there and enjoying much success. However, younger brother Kareem decided to follow former Duke assistant Quinn Snyder to the University of Missouri.
Top underclassmen declaring for the NBA Draft>>>
>Jonathan Bender (High School)
>Leon Smith (High School)
>Lamar Odom (Rohde Island)
>Corey Maggette (Duke)
>Elton Brand (Duke)
>William Avery (Duke)
>Steve Francis (Maryland)
>Ron Artest (St. John's)
>Richard (Rip) Hamilton (Connecticut)
>Baron Davis (UCLA)
>Jermaine Jones (Georgia)
>Jamaal Magloire (Kentucky)
>Shawn Marion (UNLV)




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Pros




To look back on this season's highlight reels you are to no doubt catch more then a glimpse of the Kings Jason Williams and the Rapto rs Vince Carter. Both players, al though only rookies , have d efinitely made things a lot easier on f ans in two ways. Firstly, to forgive all of the mo ney hungry players and owners for g oing on s trike and ,also, to lessen the blow that 23's retirement had on ev erybody. Thanks fellas!
*Playoff Preview*
With the playoffs just about to start for the first year AM (After Michael), the field is wide open.Here's a overview of how the west coast teams sta ck up against one a nother

-San Antonio Spurs Team Trademark: "Twin Towers", with two 7-foooters in Tim Duncan (7' even) and David Robinson (7'1"),the Spurs are considered by many to be favorites in the West let alone the whole league. Vs.
-Minnesota Timberwolves Team Trademark:"The Big Ticket" properly named by the T-wolves announcer, Kevin Garnett is quite possibly the leagues most versatile player (at 7' he can play any position on the court with the exception of point guard.

-Portland Trailblazers Team Trademark:Depth. The Blazers have the deepest team in NBA. In fact, their coach, Mike Dunleavy, insists that his second team could hold it's own with any team in the league.
Vs.
-Phoenix Suns Team Trademark:"Small Ball." Properly named by the teams coach ,Danny Ainge, the Suns will at times have up to four players on the court at one time under 6'8". In doing this the suns not onlather cut out on hy compensate for lacking a dominant big man but, also they use it as a tactic for getting out on the break quicker and registering some easy fast break points.

-Utah Jazz Team Trademark:Stockton to Malone. This phrase is often repeated many times by the announcer during the course of a game. John Stockton the all-time leader ng to the big fellin assists and Karl Malone one of the greatest finishers of all-time (hence the nickname "The Mailman") make for a fabulous 1-2 punch that has lead Utah in the finals for the past two years.
Vs.
-Sacramento Kings Team Trademark:"The next Pete Maravich." That is what some refer to the Kings rookie Jason Williams as. With his new and innovative style of play he is certain to bring excitement with him to the playoffs.

-Los Angeles Lakers Team Trademark:"Showtime." With the type of talent the Lakers have, they are capable of showing glimpses of excellence as the Showtime Lakers of the '80's did with the Magic Man, Earvin Johnson. However, these Lakers are far more inconsistent and you never know which Laker team is going to show up.
Vs.
-Houston Rockets Team Trademark:Experience! Within the Rockets team they have two players in Scottie Pippen and Hakeem Olajuwon who have been intragual parts in their respective teams success in winning the last eight championships in the NBA. Maybe they could include Charles Barkley in on all the fun and show him what it's like to get a ring
NBA Playoffs -Final Four-
East/ Miller Time Pacers Vs. Ewing less but better off for it Knicks
West/ Should of been MVP Tim Duncan Spurs Vs. Our second team is better than half of the teams in this league Blazers


E-Mail me with your prediction of how this years NBA Lottery will turn out. Who will be the first name to come out of Commissioner Stern' s mouth come Wed. June 30th ? With the first pick in the 1999 NBA Draft the Chichago Bul ls select.. ...... Brand, Odom, Maggette, Szyersbiak, Francis, who?
#1 Bulls? #8 Boston?
#2 Vancouver? #9 Suns?
#3 Hornets? #10 G.S. Warriors?
#4 Clippers? #11 Cleveland?
#5 Toronto? #12 Toronto?
#6 T-Wolves? #13 Seattle?
#7 Wizards?




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