No pain, big gains

Great players, but ...

One hazard of compiling a list of the top 30 players in college basketball (TSN, November 8) is you can find room for only 30 names-out of more than 3,500 players. My e-mail box yielded 14 deserving players whom readers contended I wrongly excluded. Some were cited multiple times. Following the squeaky-wheel theory, I'll address why those mentioned most just missed the cut.

Raymond Felton, PG, North Carolina. He was the last player removed, and it hurt to do it. Felton easily could play his way to All-American level. But be averaged 11.5 points and shot 42.0 percent in an offense that was designed for him to do more.

Nate Robinson, G, Washington. Robinson is the most athletic guard in Division I, but he is trying to prove himself as a playmaker when he might fit better as a scorer. If this gets straightened out, he will rank with the best.

Kelenna Azubuike, SF, Kentucky. He's athletic, a solid ballhandler and a terrific shooter. He'll get the chance to do more as a junior. But how much more? Will Azubuike become an 18-point scorer?. I think he'll shoot handsome percentages and score in the midteens. That will leave him short of the small forwards included, such as Arizona's Hassan Adams and Alabama's Kennedy Winston.--M.D.

decourcy@sportingnews.com

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