Newcomers to watch
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By Albert Lin,
CNN/SI
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Top 20 Freshmen
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1. Dan
Gadzuric , C, 6' 10", UCLA, Governor Dummer
Academy, Byfield, Mass.
| | Dutch-born "Gadzilla" is already 20, and while raw, he
possesses immense size, strength and athletic
ability. |
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2. Joel
Przybilla , C, 7' 0", Minnesota, Monticello H.S., Monticello, Minn.
| | Needs to get stronger, but already a top defensive player
and may be best prospect in state since Kevin
McHale.
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3. Jason
Capel , F, 6' 8", North Carolina, St. John's
at Prospect
Hall, Frederick, Md.
| | Will shoulder much of the scoring burden left by departures
of Antawn Jamison and Vince
Carter. | |
4. Quentin
Richardson , G, 6' 5", DePaul, Whitney
Young H.S., Chicago
| | Greatest strength is ability to hit the boards, but will
play on perimeter for Blue
Demons.
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5. Erick
Barkley , G, 6' 1", St. John's, Maine
Central
Institute, Pittsfield, Maine
| | The country's best pure point guard takes control of a team
badly in need of
one. | |
6. Jerome
Moiso , F, 6' 11", UCLA, Milford
Academy, Milford, Conn.
| | Also already 20; possesses perimeter skills of typical
European (raised in France) big
man.
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7. Lloyd
Price , F/G, 6' 5", Xavier, Oak Hill
Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.
| | Great ballhandler who impressed in postseason all-star
games; best recruit in Musketeers
history.
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8. Bobby
Simmons , F, 6' 7", DePaul, Simeon H.S., Chicago
| | Word is his game is Pippenesque; should team with
Richardson to return Blue Demons to
respectability. | |
9. Vincent
Yarbrough , F, 6' 7", Tennessee, Cleveland H.S., Cleveland, Tenn.
| | Exciting and versatile wing player expected to help Vols
over the hump to challenge for SEC
title. |
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10. Mike
Miller , F, 6' 8", Florida, Mitchell H.S., Mitchell, S.Dak.
| | Multi-skilled talent should become a cornerstone of Billy
Donovan's up-and-coming Gators
program. |
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11. JaRon
Rush , F, 6' 7", UCLA, Pembroke
Hill, Kansas City, Mo.
| | High-flyer is the most ready of Bruins' five touted
recruits to contribute
offensively.
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12. Ronald
Curry , G, 6' 2", North Carolina, Hampton H.S., Hampton, Va.
| | Physical point guard will join team after his tour as UNC's
starting
quarterback. |
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13. Keyon
Dooling , G, 6' 3", Missouri, Dillard H.S., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Dillard
| | Super-quick, explosive leaper came on in rankings as season
progressed.
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14. Dane
Fife , G, 6' 4", Indiana, Clarkston H.S., Clarkston, Mich.
| | Heady player with good outside touch and court sense; may
run point for
Hoosiers. | |
15. Stromile
Swift , F, 6' 9", LSU, Fair Oaks H.S., Shreveport, La.
Oaks
| | If he passes college boards will be eligible to start second semester; smooth
offensive performer with
range. | |
16. Adam
Harrington , G, 6' 5", N.C. State, Pioneer Valley Regional H.S., Northfield, Mass.
| | Good-sized bomber should help Wolfpack's pint-sized
backcourt of 5' 9" Arch Miller and 6' 0" Justin
Gainey.
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17. Darius
Songaila , F, 6' 9", Wake Forest, New Hampton Prep, New Hampton, N.H.
| | Lithuanian bruiser reminds of UNLV's Kaspars Kambala; will
be the physical presence Loren Woods never
was.
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18. Michael
Wright , F, 6' 8", Arizona, Farragut Academy, Chicago
| | Tough interior player from Kevin Garnett's alma mater
should help fill void left by Bennett
Davison.
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19. Kevin
Lyde , C, 6' 10", Temple, Oak Hill
Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.
| | Wide-body supreme surprisingly active on the blocks; Owls
replace Marc Jackson a year
later. | |
20. Tayshaun
Prince , G/F, 6' 7", Kentucky, Dominguez H.S., Compton, Calif.
| | String bean has unorthodox shot but unlimited range, a
knack for putting ball in
basket. |
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Top 5 Junior College
Transfers
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1. Steve
Francis , G, 6' 3", Maryland, Cumberland (Md.) Allegany College
| | If all the rumors about him are true, Terps really may be a
legitimate Top 5
team. |
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2. Shawn
Marion , F, 6' 7", UNLV, Vincennes (Ind.)
University
| | Contemplated turning pro after averaging 23.5 points and
13.1 rebounds, but instead takes his act to
Vegas.
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3. Pete
Mickeal , F, 6' 7", Cincinnati, Ottumwa (Iowa) Indian Hills CC
| | Bob Huggins goes to the juco well once again for an impact
player. | |
4. Victor
Avila , C, 6' 10", Oklahoma, Scottsdale (Ariz.)
CC
| | Expected to step right in and give Sooners a viable post
presence. | |
5. Rico
Harris , F, 6' 9", Cal State-Northridge, Los Angeles City
College
| | Originally committed to Arizona State out of high school, then signed with Rhode Island a year ago but returned to LACC; now the Matadors hit the
jackpot.
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Top 5 NCAA Transfers
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1. Neil
Reed , G, 6' 2", Sr., Southern Miss (from Indiana)
| | Deadeye shooter/all-out hustler chafed under Bob Knight; no
complaints now—his dad is a Golden Eagles
assistant. |
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2. Scoonie
Penn , G, 5' 10", Jr., Ohio State (from Boston
College)
| | Waterbug should provide Buckeyes with something they didn't
have last
year—leadership.
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3. Carson
Cunningham , G, 6' 0", So., Purdue (from Oregon
State)
| | You've never heard of him, but he averaged 14.9 points and
4.7 assists for the Beavers two seasons
ago. | |
4. Courtney
Alexander , G, 6' 5", Jr., Fresno State (from Virginia)
| | Explosive athlete ran into off-court troubles in
Charlottesville—so, naturally, he ended up with
Tark. | |
5. Jason
Collier , F, 7' 0", Jr., Georgia Tech (from Indiana)
| | Versatile big man had enough of Bob Knight; eligible second
semester and should play a big role with loss of SG Dion
Glover.
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Previous Academic Casualties
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1. Lamar
Odom , F, 6' 10", So., Rhode Island, too many to
mention
| | Point forward was considered nation's top recruit two years
ago, but had problems gaining eligibility—until
now. |
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2. Anthony
Perry , G, 6' 3", So., Georgetown, St.
Anthony's H.S., Jersey City, N.J.
| | A four-year starter for famed prep
program and is a scoring machine, which Hoyas desperately
need.
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3. Mark
Karcher , G/F, 6' 5", So., Temple, St. Frances
Academy, Baltimore
| | A gunner who quickly could become the
Owls' best at putting the ball in the
basket. | |
4. Melvin
Ely , C, 6' 10", So., Fresno State, Thornton
Township H.S., Harvey, Ill.
| | Shot blocker extraordinaire whose
ability to run the floor is perfect for the
Bulldogs. | |
5. Edmund
Saunders , F, 6' 8", So., Connecticut, Holy
Cross H.S., Waterbury, Conn.
| | Great body and an excellent
inside-outside game; tends to spend too much time on the
perimeter.
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Out of Jail
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1. Melvin
Whitaker , C, 6'10", Fr., Mount St. Mary's, Southampton (Va.)
Correctional
Center
| | Originally signed with Virginia in 1995. Released Oct. 19 from
prison after serving two years for malicious wounding of a fellow student.
Eligible in
January. |
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