Inside the 2001-02 freshman class

Sporting News, The, July 24, 2000

For daily recruiting reports go to sportingnews.com.

Inside the 2001-02 freshman class

small TOP 10 forwards

If there's a weak spot in this class, it's here. The best senior small forward actually may be Josh Childress, whom we ranked as the No. 3 shooting guard last week. Julius Hodge, Alan Anderson and Dennis Coutee--all ranked last week--could also be among the top 10 small forwards. Stephen Wacaser sorts out a position loaded with parity.

PLAYER               HT./WT.    HIGH SCHOOL

1. JACKIE MANUEL     6-5/190    W. Palm Beach, Fla./Newman

   His awesome adidas ABCD camp play shocked many; his decision
   to join Matt Doherty at North Carolina shocked Florida.

2. JAWAD WILLIAMS    6-7/195    Lakewood, Ohio/St Edwards

   Has NBA range on his jumper but needs to work on ball skills.
   Averaged 16.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 3 blocks per game for
   12-12 team.

3. JAMES WHITE       6-61195    York, Pa./Crispus Attucks

   23.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.6 apg at Kensington (Md.)/Newport School.
   Team was 30-12 and the private school state champion.

4. LEVI WATKINS      6-7/218    Rockville, Md./Montrose

   Demonstrated terrific work ethic at USA Basketball Youth
   Development festival. Stellar wing play at Nike. 3.9 GPA. Leader.

5. NAJEEB ECHOLS     6-6/210    Chicago/Whitney Young

   Co-MVP at NBA Players Association camp in June. Influences game
   with his all-around attributes and determination.

6. QUEMONT GREER     6-6/220    Milwaukee/Vincent

   Staggering display at ABCD included top-five rankings in scoring,
   rebounding. Bangs inside, conveys nicely from perimeter.

7. CHUCK HAYES       6-6/221    Modesto, Calif./Christian

   Player efficiency ranking at ABCD ranked him as the No. 2 player.
   Warriorlike mentality. His play has silenced any doubters.

8. DIJON THOMPSON   6-6/193    Redondo Beach, Calif./Union

   Slender wing is a high major prospect at three positions.
   Chance to be a threat for several triple-doubles.

9. ROGER POWELL      6-6/200    Joliet, Ill./Joliet

   Talented perimeter player. Excellent long-range scorer and
   disciplined. Very humble, considerate and a high-quality student
   like Duke's Shane Battier.

10. KEITH JACKSON    6-5/197    Cincinnati/Purcell Marian

    At Ky. Hoops Fest final last week, logged the summer's best
    short stretch of playing time: 17 points with three 3s, two
    steals, two blocks and two assists in 4:28.

PLAYERS              SCHOOLS CONSIDERING

1. JACKIE MANUEL     North Carolina(**)
2. JAWAD WILLIAMS    Ohio St., Maryland, Cincinnati,
                      North Carolina, Duke, Florida
3. JAMES WHITE       North Carolina, Duke, Maryland,
                      Seton Hall, Florida, LSU
4. LEVI WATKINS      Fla. St., Ga. Tech, NC State, Va.,
                      Wake Forest, Villanova, Seton Hall
5. NAJEEB ECHOLS     Michigan St., Michigan, Illinois,
                      Kentucky, others
6. QUEMONT GREER     Florida, Tenn., Maryland, NC State,
                      Marq., Wis., others
7. CHUCK HAYES       Stanford, OCLA, Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse
8. DIJON THOMPSON    UCLA, USC, Cal., Kansas, Vanderbilt,
                      Kentucky, others
9. ROGER POWELL      Illinois(**)
10. KEITH JACKSON    Ohio State, Dayton, Xavier, Clemson,
                      Villanova, others