The 29 Most Eligible SUPER BACHELORS

Ebony, June, 2001

FROM multimillionaires to ministers, athletes, actors, doctors and TV news anchors, the top 29 Superbachelors for 2001 are straight out of every single woman's dreams.

Among the finest potential dates are actors Boris Kodjoe and Hill Harper of Los Angeles, broker Christopher Gardner and Bulls basketball player Elton Brand of Chicago. Also topping the list are TV medical correspondent Dr. Ian Smith of New York City, Miami Dolphins running back Autry Denson and two brothers pursuing the ministry, Reginald Williams Jr., from Richmond, Va., and Matthew Williams of Atlanta.

What do these dream men want?

Harper says he wants an "intelligent, funny, athletic, passionate, spiritual and giving" Sister to share romantic walks on the beach.

Other bachelors say they want an independent, health-conscious woman who "loves being a Black queen."

Do you fit the bill?

Christopher P. Gardner, 47 Chicago

President and CEO of Gardner Rich & Co., a major securities brokerage firm, Gardner enjoys reading, music, going to the gym, and spending time with his children. He's looking for an independent woman with a sense of humor who is "highly evolved intellectually, spiritually" and who "would help bring balance to [his] life."

Dr. Ian Smith, 31 New York City

A medical correspondent for NBC's Today Show, Smith likes traveling, writing, and playing sports. He believes "beauty comes in all shapes and sizes," and he's searching for a woman who shares his interests. "1 want someone who knows what [she wants] and then goes for it," he says. "I like the idea of a woman being strong."

Boris Kodjoe, 28 Los Angeles

An actor and former model, Kodjoe stars as "Damon" on the hit Showtime series Soul Food. For him, the right woman is not only loving and caring, but also focused on her own identity, ambitions and goals. "I'm always looking for someone who has her own individuality, someone who's happy," he says. The perfect date with his ideal woman would include a beautiful meal, great conversation, laughter, deep gazing and "comfortable silence."

Elton Brand, 22 Chicago

The starting forward for the Chicago Bulls from Peekskill, N.Y., enjoys reading, traveling, the cinema and spending time with friends. The woman who will make him smile is intelligent, easygoing and ambitious. The theme of his most romantic date is "atmosphere"--a nice dinner by candlelight.

Merlin Santana, 25 Los Angeles

"Romeo" on the WB's The Steve Harvey Show, Santana loves working out and riding his motorcycle. The ideal woman for him is successful and can take care of herself. "That way you know that the feelings are genuine," he says. His idea of the perfect outing would be something exciting, a "fun date" to Disneyland or Great Adventure.

Takeo Spikes, 24 Cincinnati

A professional footbal player with the Cincinnati Bengals, this Georgia native loves traveling, fishing and playing basketball in the off-season. He also volunteers with United Way and the TJ Elder Boys and Girls Club. The woman for him is one who can stimulate him mentally, is beautiful, intelligent, well-rounded, spiritual and independent.

Dorian Gregory Los Angeles

Gregory portrays the handsome "Detective Morris" on the hit WB show, Charmed. This theatrically trained actor says he wants a woman who is open to new ideas and experiences. "If a woman makes me grow, I will have such a hunger to be around her that little else will matter," he says. "Make me think and I will think about you always."

Matthew W. Williams, 24 Atlanta

A student at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Williams is an associate minister for youth programs at New Life United Church of Christ. He enjoys reading, creative writing, basketball, running and music. The right woman for him is assertive, giving, open-minded and one who places her "spirituality at the center of her life."

Reginald W. Williams Jr., 28 Richmond, Va.

An attorney and ministry student at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Williams has a passion for social justice and likes basketball and reading. His ideal woman is intellectually challenging, a "soul sister who is spiritually and culturally centered."

Dr. A. Brion Gardner, 27 Pensacola, Fla.

A lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Gardner is a naval flight surgeon specializing in aviation and aerospace medicine. He enjoys traveling and outdoor activities such as golfing, hunting and fishing. He wants a Christian woman who is "modern, but has traditional values."

Jermaine A. Burrell, 25 Mobile, Ala.

A software development consultant, Burrell listens to music, reads, volunteers and cooks in his spare time. His ideal woman is charismatic, health-conscious, educated, ambitious and "will welcome spiritual growth."

Autry Denson, 24 Miami

A running back for the Miami Dolphins and Notre Dame graduate, Denson is also training to become a loan-and-mortgage officer. He loves to read, travel and spend time with his family. He wants a Christian woman who loves life and is "independent, able to pursue her own dreams."

Dwayne McClary, 30 Englewood, N.J.