JAMES LANG

Position: C Class: Early Entry High School: Central Park Christ. (AL) Ht., Wt.: 6'11, 305 Selected by New Orleans Hornets Round 2, pick 19 (48 overall)

BIO: Lang is a high school early entry candidate who has been wavering about staying in the draft or not. Lang played at Central Park Christian High School in Birmingham, Alabama and averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds last season. The 6-10 Lang has reportedly lost 70 pounds to get to his current weight around the 300-pound mark. Lang was named to the McDonald's All-American team and collected 15 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes while playing on the same team as LeBron James. Lang was the third-leading shot blocker at the 2002 ABCD camp in Teaneck, New Jersey. Lang is a true center with no outside skills at all who uses his size to his advantage down low. ANALYSIS: Lang is huge and can already bang with anyone. He's fairly athletic and mobile for his size and has good hands. Lang can score in the post and is relentless there, but needs to improve his range and touch on medium-range jump shots. Consistency could be a problem, and he'll probably have to shed some more weight (he once weighed close to 400 pounds). POSITIVES: Lang is agile for his size and is a nimble finisher around the basket. He has better scoring skills with his back to the basket than most college seniors, and that is impressive, considering Lang has not received much coaching at 18 years old. On the boards and blocking shots, Lang also shows a willingness to compete. NEGATIVES: At the Chicago pre-draft camp, Lang measured just 6-8 without shoes. That does not bode well for a kid who is trying to make it at center. Lang's excessive weight and lack of mid-range scoring abilities could make him ineffective at the 4-spot, so he probably lacks a true position right now. That does not mean Lang cannot grow into a true "big," but it will take hard work and seasoning for him to do so. Part of that process will require Lang to get his weight under control. That is something he may never be able to do. PROJECTION: Early Second Round