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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004 by Mike DeCourcy
"He's very good and very competitive," says Nelson, now a rookie with the Orlando Magic. "I was the older guy in college. I was using tricks that guys use on me now--the little things that get you an edge on a guy. He wasn't as strong. We definitely were able to muscle him."
Paul trained hard during the offseason to prevent a recurrence. He watches a lot of tape and has learned as much from the St. Joe's game as his successes. The effect, Paul says, has meant "getting stronger in the weight room, knowing how to read different defenses, playing defense harder."
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Considering all the issues that must be settled for Wake Forest to contend for the NCAA championship--for anyone to contend, really--it helps to have that one easy answer. Emeka Okafor got Connecticut home last spring. Juan Dixon did it for Maryland in 2002. They will be enduring heroes in their college communities. In that respect, Paul might join them even without a title.
Paul remembers that when he was a kid, "You could never go to the mall and buy Wake T-shirts, paraphernalia. You could find Carolina, N.C. State but never Wake Forest" Paul wound up at Wake because Prosser sold him on the possibility of building something special close to home. Now, Wake Forest operates the Deacon Shop in the Hanes Mall, selling all sorts of black-and-gold gear.
"It puts me on cloud nine to be able to walk in and see that," Paul says. The other guys probably don't realize that as much as I do. It definitely hits home."
Great players = great teams
It's no secret why the ACC has the most great teams. It has the most great players. Eight ACC players rank among the nation's top 30, and Duke's Shelden Williams, North Carolina's Raymond Felton and Georgia Tech's B.J. Elder just missed making the list.
1. Chris Paul, PPG, Wake Forest
2. Lawrence Roberts, PF, Mississippi State
3. Francisco Garcia, SG, Louisville
4. Wayne Simien, PF, Kansas
5. Julius Hodge, PG, N.C. State
Hodge has played all three perimeter positions. His greatest talent is blending his game into those around him and making up for teammates' weaknesses.
6. Hakim Warrick, PF, Syracuse
7. Ryan Gomes, PF, Providence
8. Hassan Adams, SF, Arizona
9. Joey Graham, SF, Oklahoma State
10. Deron Williams, PG Illinois
11. Sean May, C, North Carolina
May had a terrific summer with the U.S. young men's team, but he still needs to become a better finisher around the goal. A player with his hands and post skills shouldn't be shooting 46.3 percent from the field.
12. Kennedy Winston, SF, Alabama
13. Justin Gray, SG, Wake Forest
Gray is a capable passer and has the ability to be a strong perimeter defender. Playing with a broken jaw during his freshman season demonstrated that few players are tougher.
14. Bracey Wright, SG, Indiana
15. Travis Diener, PG, Marquette
16. Andrew Bogut, C, Utah
17. Ike Diogu, C, Arizona State
18. Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech
The one thing keeping Jack from the top of this list--and possibly a very long career as an NBA point--is the unreliability of his jumper.
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