On the road again

Sporting News, The, July 28, 2003

Living out of a suitcase isn't just for the pros--the itinerary for some of the nation's best college basketball recruits might make even the savvy traveler long for home. The travel schedule of J.R. Smith of Newark, N.J., shows he will have logged roughly 9,000 miles from April through the end of July playing in tournaments or camps.

1. April 7: Teaneck, N.J., The Playaz Spring Fling.

2. May 9: Charlottesville, Va., Southern Invitational.

3. May 17: Boston, Five-Star Hoop Classic.

4. May 24-26: Chapel Hill, N.C., Tournament of Champions.

5. June 17-22: Richmond, Va., NBA Players Association Camp.

6. June 25-29: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball Developmental Festival.

7. July 7-12: Teaneck, N.J., Adidas ABCD Camp.

8. July 13-14: Neptune, N.J., Three Stripes Classic.

9. July 15-17: Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond's Tournament.

10: July 22-26: Las Vegas, Adidas Big Time Tournament.

11. July 27-31: Los Angeles, Best of the Summer Tournament.

Source: RivalsHoops.com

The hunt for the 10 most wanted

More than half of the top 100 prep prospects in the recruiting class of 2004 already have committed to Division I programs. But there still is plenty of talent available, including Atlanta's Dwight Howard, who is at the top of the list of the 10 best uncommitted players, as ranked by RivalsHoops.com's Mike Sullivan. According to Sullivan, Howard is this year's most dominating high school big man.

1. Dwight Howard, C, 6-10, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He has terrific footwork, is quick in the low post and handles the ball well. Top choices: He isn't leaning toward any college; instead, he could jump to the NBA.

2. Shaun Livingston, PG, 6-6, Peoria (Ill.) Central. Livingston can dazzle you with his passes and create mismatches with his size, but he needs to bulk up his 175-pound flame. Top choices: Duke is the leader, but North Carolina, Arizona and Illinois also are in the picture.

3. Sebastian Telfair, PG, 5-11, Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.). The electric Telfair can find small openings inside when it appears the lane is closed. Top choices: He is keeping his options open--including the NBA.

4. Glen Davis, PF, 6-9, University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.). "Big Baby" has the wide (as in 330-pound) frame to dominate. He is skilled and agile for his size. Davis also plays football, but he will focus on basketball in college. Top choices: LSU is the leader, but he's also considering Indiana, North Carolina, Miami, Seton Hall, Georgia, Oklahoma and Michigan State.

5. Malik Halrston, SG, 6-5, Detroit Renaissance, Hairston gets to the basket quickly, which creates scoring opportunities for himself and his team. Top choices: Ohio State, Kansas, UCLA, Arizona, Michigan State, Cincinnati and Connecticut.

6. J.R. Smith, SF, 6-6, St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.). Smith, who can shoot the jumper or throw down a thunderous dunk, can take over games. Top choices: He will commit to North Carolina if it offers him a scholarsbip. If not, Connecticut and Pittsburgh are fallback options.

7. Rudy Gay, PF, 6-8, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.) Gay is rapidly improving. He can score from the perimeter or the post. Top choices: Virginia, Maryland, Syracuse, Indiana, Connecticut and Arizona.

8. Randolph Morris, C, 6-10, Landmark Christian (Palmetto, Ga.). Morris moves with efficiency inside and overpowers defenders. Top choices: Georgia Tech and Kentucky.

9. Kyle Lowry, PG, 5-11, Cardinal Dougherty (Philadelphia). Lowry has two speeds--fast and faster. He constantly puts pressure on the interior of a defense with his penetration. Top choices: Kansas, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Syracuse and Xavier.

10. Josh Wright, PG, 6-0, Proctor (Utica, N.Y,), He's a scoring point guard who can drain 3-pointers and dunk over players several inches taller. Top choices; Connecticut, Boston College, Kansas, Kentucky and Syracuse.