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Impact Newcomers
Updated: Saturday November 03, 2001 1:49 PM
By Albert Lin, CNNSI.com
Players are ranked not only on pure talent, but also taking into account the opportunity they have to contribute right away (point guards tend to rank higher, given their greater responsibilities). Teams' graduation losses and returning personnel factor largely into this equation.
| SWEET 16 FRESHMEN |
| 1. Dajuan Wagner, 6-3, PG/SG, Memphis |
| Catch him while you can, because he doesn't figure to be in Memphis long; could average 20 ppg. |
| 2. Kelvin Torbert, 6-4, SG, Michigan State |
| Almost certainly will be the Spartans' top scorer; powerful, incredible elevation, squares up well. |
| 3. Cedric Bozeman, 6-6, PG, UCLA |
| Stacked Bruins will be a serious national championship threat if he can master running the offense. |
| 4. Jonathan Hargett, 6-0, PG, West Virginia |
| With starter Tim Lyles injured, it's the super-explosive Hargett's show in Morgantown. |
| 5. Julius Hodge, 6-6, SG/SF, North Carolina State |
| Herb Sendek is counting on do-it-all Hodge to save his job, even if it means playing point. |
| 6. David Harrison, 7-0, C, Colorado |
| Only legitimate center matriculating at a major school; helps make Buffs a sleeper in the Big 12. |
| 7. T.J. Ford, 5-11, PG, Texas |
| Jet-quick Ford gives athletic Longhorns sorely needed playmaker; must stay under control. |
| 8. Maurice Williams, 6-1, PG, Alabama |
| Terrific shooter and ballhandler frees up Tide's plethora of wings to concentrate on scoring. |
| 9. Josh Childress, 6-7, SF, Stanford |
| Silky-smooth scorer could become the Cardinal's No. 2 option (behind Casey Jacobsen) before too long. |
| 10. Chris Thomas, 6-1, PG, Notre Dame |
| Irish fans will love this heady, good-shooting point who prefers the solid to the spectacular. |
| 11. Jawad Williams, 6-8, SF, North Carolina |
| Highest-rated of UNC's three newcomers is a versatile wing player who may have to score early. |
| 12. David Lee, 6-8, PF, Florida |
| Ambidextrous, athletic, can play inside or out; probably will be used down low to help Udonis Haslem. |
| 13. Aaron Miles, 6-0, PG, Kansas |
| So good the Jayhawks will bump starter Kirk Hinrich to wing and let Miles run a three-guard offense. |
| 14. Rick Rickert, 6-10, PF, Minnesota |
| Reneged on commitment to Arizona; skilled face-up 4 needs to get stronger, but will play major minutes. |
| 15. James White, 6-6, SF, Florida |
| Skywalker who showed off improved touch and ballhandling skills in postseason all-star games. |
| 16. Carlos Hurt, 6-1, PG, Louisville |
| Deft penetrating left-hander will have to direct Rick Pitino's frenetic, uptempo style of play. |
| NCAA TRANSFERS |
| 1. Kevin Gaines, 6-4, junior, PG, Houston (Michigan) |
| Off-the-court problems cost him at Michigan, but no one questions his on-the-court skills. |
| 2. Tony Bland, 6-4, senior, SG, San Diego State (Syracuse) |
| Smooth shooter reportedly dominated practices during redshirt year. |
| 3. Dahntay Jones, 6-5, junior, SF/SG, Duke (Rutgers) |
| Tough defender improved outside shot during off year; will fill Shane Battier's spot. |
| 4. Jabahri Brown, 6-10, C, Oklahoma (Florida International) |
| Played well for Virgin Islands in World University Games; eligible after first semester. |
| 5. Ronald Blackshear, 6-5, sophomore, Marshall (Temple) |
| After flopping at Temple, scorer hopes he's found a home with the Herd; mid-year eligible. |
| JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS |
| 1. Chris Massie, 6-9, junior, PF, Memphis (Oxnard College, Calif.) |
| 24-year-old hoss (253 pounds) thought about NBA draft, but stayed true to John Calipari. |
| 2. Antonio Falu, 6-5, junior, SG, Valparaiso (San Jacinto JC, Texas) |
| Puerto Rico native (and original Houston signee) is a big-time coup for little Valpo. |
| 3. Ebi Ere, 6-5, junior, SG, Oklahoma (Barton County CC, Kan.) |
| Athletic wing player continues tradition of juco graduates matriculating in Norman. |
| 4. Chris Sandy, 6-2, junior, PG, Fresno State (Westark CC, Ark.) |
| The reason some still pick Fresno for preseason Top 25, despite Tito Maddox's departure. |
| 5. Marcus Hatten, 6-2, junior, PG, St. John's (Tallahassee CC, Fla.) |
| Mike Jarvis only knew the joys of Omar Cook for one season; now Hatten is in charge. |
| PARTIAL/NON-QUALIFIERS |
| 1. Herve Lamizana, 6-10, sophomore, SF/PF, Rutgers |
| Top-100 recruit who has been compared to Donyell Marshall. |
| 2. Ivan McFarlin, 6-7, sophomore, PF, Oklahoma State |
| Tenacious rebounder will help Cowboys in the physical Big 12. |
| 3. Eddie Starks, 6-2, sophomore, PG/WG, Iona |
| Originally signed with Rutgers; considered a top-30 recruit by some. |
| 4. Cedrick Banks, 6-2, sophomore, SG, Illinois-Chicago |
| Chicago player of the year as a H.S. senior; generally rated in top 50. |
| 5. Anthony Anderson, 5-11, sophomore, PG, Massachusetts |
| Gives new coach Steve Lappas a true point to work with. |
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