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PREPPED FOR
NBA
AL HARRINGTON
6'8", 222, Elizabeth, N.J., St.
Patrick's
H.S.
Why he's The
Man: Harrington, the USA Today prepster of the year, had the
SAT scores to go to the college of his choice. Instead, he
opted to take his all-around game to the NBA. His story
sounds strangely like prep-to-pro poster child Kobe
Bryant—and believe it or
not, Harrington may be better equipped to succeed as a pro.
Harrington works tirelessly; after playing down low for
most of his prep career, he shot hundreds of jumpers a day
during the summer of 1997 to lift his outside game to a pro
level. He's fearless
in the lane and a monster in transition. Best of all, he
loves playing defense. If Bryant is the prototype NBA
shooting guard for the next millenium, Harrington is the
mold from which the NBA small forward should be
cut.
At best, he's the next:
Scottie
Pippen.
And if I'm wrong, he's:
Prep-to-pro dud Tracy
McGrady
—D.S.
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THE NEXT
GARNETT?
RASHARD LEWIS
6'10", 220, Alief (Texas) Elsik
H.S.
Why he's The Man:
One of the best shooters in the draft, despite his size,
Lewis has a quick release with three-point range. He
projects as a wing forward because of perimeter skills and
slight build, but is a good enough rebounder and interior
defender to play in the 4
spot. Lewis committed to the University of Houston last fall
but never signed his letter-of-intent because of the
uncertainty surrounding the future of Cougars coach Alvin
Brooks, who was eventually fired. Believed to be headed to
Kansas if he had
qualified academically, Lewis instead opted to turn
pro.
At best, he's the
next: If he develops better ballhandling skills, Kevin
Garnett—with a much smaller
wallet.
And if I'm wrong, he's:
Don
MacLean.
—A.L.
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