The new summer song and dance

Sporting News, The, July 28, 2003 by Mike DeCourcy

There is no trepidation in Mike Davis' eyes. Indeed, they are gleaming.

During !he opening week of the NCAA's summer evaluation period for recruits, he landed two of the top 15 prospects in the prep senior class: small forward Josh Smith and power forward D.J. White. As Davis gazes toward a court where uncommitted Atlanta post man Dwight Howard competes at the Adidas ABCD Camp, it is apparent he would like to make this sort of development habitual--and is unconcerned about the possible consequences.

What Davis isn't prepared to acknowledge is that sometimes the recruiting news can be too good. He has another 300-some days until the deadline passes for underclassmen to enter the 2004 NBA draft. There's a fair chance Smith, the best of Indiana's four committed recruits, will test his draft stock. It's even more likely that will be the course followed by Howard, who appears to be the Hoosiers' next big target. The only thing tougher for a college coach than signing one of these players is getting him to wear a college uniform.

However, enduring the anxious months of draft declaration season has become an integral part of building a championship-level team. Syracuse still would be waiting for its first NCAA title had it not gambled on Carmelo Anthony. Connecticut, a pre-season favorite for 2004, held on until late June before it was certain forward Charlie Villanueva would enroll.

Properly managed, recruiting in the age of early NBA draft declarations need not disrupt programs.

The first key is having enough likely four-year players on the roster to absorb the loss of those destined to trade in all or part of their NCAA eligibility for the opportunity to play with the Los Angeles Clippers. The second is working to penetrate the circle of family, friends, agents and coaches that will help a player such as Smith decide whether or when to enter the draft.

Another major-conference coach says Davis is "taking a shot" with Smith.

"You've got to try it," the coach continues.

"Look what happened with Syracuse and Carmelo Anthony. It's just how it is."

A 6-8, 210-pound forward, Smith is a stirring athlete who jumps high and quickly. He still is developing his ball-handling and shooting skills. You would not have found such a player in the NBA draft a few years ago, but by selecting high school players with three of the final seven first-round picks last month, NBA teams seduced a dozen or two from this year's class into pondering the possibility.

This is delightful news for those agents who sell preps on the alleged benefits of entering the draft mad help them secure late first-round positions. It might not be good for players who grab the short money available immediately and miss the opportunity to truly strike it rich.

It doesn't even take the immense college success of an Anthony or T.J. Ford to elevate gifted players toward the top of the draft. Dajuan Wagner was inconsistent as a shooter and teammate and couldn't get Memphis to the 2002 NCAA Tournament, but he became the No. 6 overall pick of the 2002 draft after one college season. Forward Chris Bosh's only year at Georgia Tech ended in the NIT quarterfinals. He was not a dominant player but climbed to No. 4 overall this year.

For spending 12 months in college, Bosh will make nearly as much in his first season with the Toronto Raptors as forward Travis Outlaw will make in three years with the Portland Trail Blazers, who selected him 23rd out of Starkville (Miss.) High. That does not take into account the fact that Bosh, because he was chosen by a lesser team using a more valuable pick, will be presented with a greater opportunity to make an early impact and thus gain a lucrative second contract. Or that Bosh's year of college training and competition put him in better position to take advantage of his opportunities.

These facts will provide some ammunition for Davis as he works to convince Smith that playing for Indiana offers the best foundation for his future. Davis must recognize this situation will not resolve itself. He will need to ensure this sort of information is presented to the Smith family without appearing to be too self-serving.

Some agents eagerly whisper to players pondering this decision that the coach's only concern is winning games for his program. Though the agent's self-interest is equally obvious, he can back up his sales pitch with gifts and money.

In the event he loses Smith to the draft, Davis appears to have the Hoosiers covered. Stylistically similar to former Florida forward Donnell Harvey, White helps reinforce Indiana's tenuous frontcourt. Robert Vaden and James Hardy, who committed in the spring, will give the Hoosiers athleticism and scoring punch from the wings.

The Hoosiers may take a strong run at Indianapolis guard A.J. Ratliff, who showed off his quickness and leaping ability at the Nike All-American Camp. But if they pursue and land Howard, whose play at the ABCD camp solidified his status as the No. 1 player in the class of 2004, they risk losing two prep recruits to the draft in the same year. That never has happened, and it's a precedent no program wants to set.