The First Wave

BASKETBALL'S EARLY signing period began on Nov. 8 and many of the nation's top recruits wasted no time making an NCAA commitment--some to elite programs, others to up-and-coming schools. While some key players, such as O.J. Mayo of Huntington High in West Virginia, have not yet officially selected a school, here are the recruits who, according to the high school sports ranking service, RISE, should make the most impact as freshmen.

SCORING MACHINE
JERRYD BAYLESS
St. Mary's ( Phoenix)
Point Guard, 6'3", 190
College: Arizona
Here's a guy who can really fill it up. Last year Bayless averaged 37.9 points--including 49 against city rival Brophy--to go along with 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 3.2 steals.

MICHAEL BEASLEY
Notre Dame Prep ( Fitchburg, Mass.)
Small Forward, 6'9', 235
College: Kansas State
At his third high school in three years, Beasley can shoot from long range and play the post; he averaged 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds for Oak Hill Academy ( Mouth of Wilson, Va.).

ERIC GORDON
North Central ( Indianapolis)
Shooting Guard, 6'4", 215
College: Indiana
Gordon selected Illinois, then reneged on his oral commitment after Kelvin Sampson became the Hoosiers' coach in March. He averaged 26.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a junior and will make electrifying moves for the highlight reels.

MASTER OF THE MISMATCH
DONTE GREENE
Towson (Md.) Catholic
Power Forward, 6'9", 210
College: Syracuse
With the size of a power forward and the shooting touch of a guard, he's difficult to defend. The crown jewel in a sparkling Orange recruiting class averaged 23 points last year.

KEVIN LOVE
Lake Oswego (Ore.)
Center, 6'10", 260
College: UCLA
Not flashy, but his passing skills as a big man have been likened to Tim Duncan's. He's also got excellent post moves, can clean up on the boards and has three-point range.

DEANDRE JORDAN
Christian Life Academy ( Houston)
Center, 7'0", 240
College: Texas A&M
Jordan, a strong defender, picked the Aggies because, he says, "they're on the rise." He averaged 16 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks per game last year.

KOSTA KOUFOS
Glen Oak ( Canton, Ohio)
Center, 7'1", 255
College: Ohio State
With a soft touch from the perimeter Koufos should be an ideal complement to Buckeyes center Greg Oden (page 83)--the two will play together for at least a year before Oden is eligible for the NBA.

PRESSURE PERFORMER
DERRICK ROSE
Simeon ( Chicago)
Point Guard, 6'3", 195
College: Memphis
With his exceptional athleticism he's a perfect fit for the Tigers' explosive offensive attack. He's also an excellent floor leader and is undaunted by pressure, as he showed last season when he hit the game-winning jumper in the state final.

KYLE SINGLER
South Medford (Ore.)
Small Forward, 6'8", 200
College: Duke
His ability to shoot from outside and to find the open man has drawn comparisons with Larry Bird. He's aggressive on the boards, too, as evidenced by his 8.5 rebounds per game last year.