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ABCD Notebook Duhon reiterates desire to stay four years in college
Posted: Saturday July 10, 1999 12:15 AM By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI TEANECK, N.J. -- The possibility of an NBA minimum age-limit means little to highly regarded combo guard Chris Duhon of Slidell, La. "I would really like to stay in college all four years," he said at this week's adidas ABCD camp. "I like the college game better than the NBA, it's much more of a team game. The NBA is all about taking your guy one-on-one off the dribble. Besides, the college years are the best years of your life." Among the many highly touted point guards at camp, Duhon stands out because of his shooting ability. In fact, Duke coach Mike Kryzezwski would love nothing more than to line up the 6-foot Duhon at shooting guard alongside incoming freshman hotshot Jason Williams. For Duhon, a self-confessed Duke diehard since the days of Christian Laettner and Grant Hill, Williams' presence seems to be the one factor keeping him from committing to the Blue Devils tomorrow. The other school he is considering heavily is Duke's nemesis, Kentucky. "I know they [the Wildcats] need a point guard, and I'd be more than willing to step in and take that spot for them," said Duhon. "It's going to be a tough decision." Smith makes defensive impression at pointStatistically, Demitrius Smith of Hogansville, Ga., doesn't compare with the other members of this year's stellar point guard crop. But that doesn't seem to faze the recruiting analysts who rank him a Top 10 player, or the host of big-name programs willing to offer him a scholarship, including Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, UCLA, Ohio State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn, N.C. State and Texas. Smith is a defensive stickler, seen nearly every possession racing back downcourt, sticking a hand in someone's dribble or setting up for a charge. "I consider myself a combo guard," said the 6-foot-4 Smith. "I love to play defense. I like to get everyone on my team involved, show leadership." Smith, who needs to re-take the SAT, says he's willing to relocate anywhere for school and has no clear favorites. However, one factor to consider: Smith's uncle was the late Derek Smith, a former Louisville standout. Demitrius says the two were "very close." Highly-regarded Harper's play up and downThe mystery man of the camp has to be swingman Jerome Harper of Columbia, S.C. Rated as high as a Top 5 prospect, Harper was expected to miss camp because of summer school but then abruptly left prestigious Oak Hill Academy just before term's end to play here. Upon his arrival, Harper has been extremely up-and-down, netting four, 14, four and 29 points, respectively, in his first four games. Harper is a No. 1 target on the lists of at least two schools, Cincinnati and Maryland, both of which fit his criteria well. "It will come down to which [school] plays my style of game which is get up-and-down the floor, press and play man-to-man defense," said Harper. He is also considering N.C. State, Duke, Florida and Kentucky. Queen, Wesley make noiseA couple of sleepers have drawn attention this week. One is point guard Avery Queen of Moreno Valley, Calif., who has dismissed some doubts about his size (5-foot-7) restricting his ability. Queen has not only been one of the camp's assist leaders but averaged double-figure points. Another is 6-foot-7 forward Omari Wesley, a Cleveland native whose main interest to date has come from in-state schools Ohio State and Xavier. Who'll be King?When camp wraps up Saturday, senior and underclass MVPs will be announced. The list of former winners this decade could comprise a formidable NBA team, including Antonio McDyess, Kobe Bryant, Tim Thomas, Stephon Marbury and Tracy McGrady.
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