Top Prospects

Sporting News, The, August 2, 1999 by Stephen Wacaser

With each performance in a summer camp or a summer league game, a basketball prospect's stock can rise and fall faster than a start-up Internet company. In a flash, a player can move into the list of top 10 prospects or drop out of the top 10.

Below, Stephen Wacaser publisher of Assists, Turnovers and Loose Balls, a scouting service for more than 275 colleges, ranks the top 20 high school seniors overall and breaks down their measurables and their games.

Rk.   Name (Hgt., Wgt.)              Pos.

1.    Gerald Wallace (6-6, 195)        F
2.    Jared Jeffries (6-9, 225)        F
3.    Eddie Griffin (6-8, 196)         F
4.    Chris Duhon (6-2, 175)           G
5.    Marlo Austin (6-9, 255)          C
6.    DeShawn Stevenson (6-5, 185)     G
7.    Marcus Taylor (6-3, 180)         G
8.    Zach Randolph (6-8, 262)         C
9.    Omar Cook (6-0, 170)             G
10.   James C. Butler (6-6, 225)       F
11.   Alton Ford (6-10, 270)           C
12.   Darius Miles (6-9, 200)          F
13.   Jerome Harper (6-4, 180)         G
14.   Andre Brown (6-9, 210)           C
15.   Rolando Howell (6-9, 217)        C
16.   Andre Barrett (5-8, 160)         G
17.   Imari Sawyer (6-1, 170)          G
18.   Nick Anderson (6-6, 205)         F
19.   Taliek Brown (6-1, 185)          G
20.   Bernard Robinson (6-6, 190)      F

Rk.   Name (Hgt., Wgt.)              High school

1.    Gerald Wallace (6-6, 195)      Childersburg (Ala.)
2.    Jared Jeffries (6-9, 225)      North (Bloomington, Ind.)
3.    Eddie Griffin (6-8, 196)       Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
4.    Chris Duhon (6-2, 175)         Salmen (Slidell, La.)
5.    Marlo Austin (6-9, 255)        Sumter Academy (York, Ala.)
6.    DeShawn Stevenson (6-5, 185)   Washington Union
                                      (Fresno, Calif.)
7.    Marcus Taylor (6-3, 180)       Waverly (Lansing, Mich.)
8.    Zach Randolph (6-8, 262)        Marion (Ind.)
9.    Omar Cook (6-0, 170)           Christ the King
                                      (Middlevillage, N.Y.)
10.   James C. Butler (6-6, 225)     Maine Central
                                     (Pittsfield, Maine)
11.   Alton Ford (6-10, 270)         Milby (Houston)
12.   Darius Miles (6-9, 200)        East St. Louis (Ill.)
13.   Jerome Harper (6-4, 180)       Keenan (Columbia, S.C.)
14.   Andre Brown (6-9, 210)         Leo (Chicago)
15.   Rolando Howell (6-9, 217)      Lower Richland (Hopkins, S.C.)
16.   Andre Barrett (5-8, 160)       Rice (New York)
17.   Imari Sawyer (6-1, 170)        Martin Luther King (Chicago)
18.   Nick Anderson (6-6, 205)       Southern Lab (Baton
                                      Rouge, La.)
19.   Taliek Brown (6-1, 185)        St. John's Prep (Queens, N.Y.)
20.   Bernard Robinson (6-6, 190)    Dunbar (Washington, D.C.)

Rk.   Name (Hgt., Wgt.)              Skinny

1.    Gerald Wallace (6-6, 195)      Left no doubt he is the No. 1
                                      player after 27 point,
                                      14 rebound effort against
                                      Darius Miles.
2.    Jared Jeffries (6-9, 225)      High ankle sprain slowed him
                                      recently. Reminds
                                      many of Danny Manning.
3.    Eddie Griffin (6-8, 196)       Stellar efforts at adidas ABCD
                                      Camp and Big-Time Tournament
                                      left huge impression.
4.    Chris Duhon (6-2, 175)         Reminds many of Derek Harper.
                                      Poised, polished and
                                      proficient. Team won Big-Time
                                      Tournament.
5.    Marlo Austin (6-9, 255)        No. 1 offensive block player
                                      in the United States.
                                      Terrific passer from the
                                      post.
6.    DeShawn Stevenson (6-5, 185)   Continued to dominate all
                                      guards this summer. Not
                                      afraid to take crucial shots.
7.    Marcus Taylor (6-3, 180)       Demonstrated ability to lead
                                      team and win close games at
                                      Nike. Limited summer play.
8.    Zach Randolph (6-8, 262)        Many feel Randolph and Taylor
                                      are both headed to the
                                      already talent-laden Michigan
                                      State Spartans.
9.    Omar Cook (6-0, 170)           Quarterbacked Riverside Church
                                      to Peach Jam and Nike, AAU
                                      Showcase titles.
10.   James C. Butler (6-6, 225)     Impressed pro scouts with his
                                      Peach Jam effort that included
                                      averaging 27 points, 12
                                      rebounds.
11.   Alton Ford (6-10, 270)         Matchup with Andre Brown at
                                      AAUs was great. ... When
                                      inspired, he is awesome.
12.   Darius Miles (6-9, 200)        Summer took its toll on this
                                      multiskilled talent. Needs to
                                      re-establish offensive
                                      low-block game.
13.   Jerome Harper (6-4, 180)       Has to get his academics in
                                      order. No question he is an
                                      offensive machine. Oak Hill
                                      possibility?
14.   Andre Brown (6-9,210)          Several college coaches
                                      remarked he is the warrior you
                                      want to go to battle with.
15.   Rolando Howell (6-9, 217)      Surprisingly, he did not follow
                                      up USA Development Festival
                                      with solid efforts at Nike,
                                      AAU, etc.
16.   Andre Barrett (5-8, 160)       Proof that size does matter.
                                      Clever, plays within himself,
                                      makes open shots.
17.   Imari Sawyer (6-1, 170)        No guard has more talent.
                                      Consistent play is huge
                                      question. Can be special
                                      player.
18.   Nick Anderson (6-6, 205)       World class athlete who is
                                      relentless with his effort,
                                      enthusiasm and ability to
                                      garner offensive rebounds.
19.   Taliek Brown (6-1, 185)        Has New York City ever had
                                      three point guards the
                                      caliber of Brown, Barrett and
                                      Cook in same class?
20.   Bernard Robinson (6-6, 190)    Dominated opponents off the
                                      dribble. Punishing player
                                      who loves physical contact.