PHILADELPHIA/EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA/
SOUTH JERSEY PREP REPORT
by Allen Rubin, Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor of the HOOP SCOOP

RUBIN RANKS EM:  THE TOP PLAYERS IN PHILADELPHIA/EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA/SOUTH JERSEY

WAGNER DESTINED FOR GREATNESS; HEADS OUTSTANDING JUNIOR CLASS

by Allen Rubin, Philadelphia Area Editor of the HOOP SCOOP, and Clark Francis, Editor & Publisher of the HOOP SCOOP

           Whatever you've heard about 6'2 Jr Dajuan Wagner from Camden (H.S.) NJ, he's probably better than that!  We're talking about a player who thus far in his career has either lived up to and/or surpassed all of the incredible hype and expectations.  We're also talking about a guy who some day may be mentioned in the same breath with Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Garnett, et al.  Which means that Wagner is on track to become one of the best players in the history of the game, unless something unforeseen sidetracks him along the way.  At the high school level he is unstoppable when he decides he wants to score, because he's so big and strong.  Plus, he's got tremendous moves, quickness, and athleticism.  Wagner is often compared to Allen Iverson, but we don't like the comparison.
            Instead, we think Wagner is more like Oscar Robertson, but minus three inches and with a lot more quickness.  Wagner also is the best player in the Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Area since Kobe Bryant and we believe Wagner is a lot better at the same stage.  Wagner is also a lot better than his father, Milt Wagner, who made every big shot at crunch time for the University of Louisville when the Cardinals won the NCAA Championship in 1986.   As a matter of fact, the younger Wagner makes his father look like an ordinary player. 
            The only knock is that Wagner tends to be selfish when he doesn't have great players around him, but he proved that he's a winner this spring by leading Camden High School to the championship in the New Jersey Tournament of Champions, despite the fact the deck was stacked against Camden.  Remember, a year ago Camden was suspended from post season play and limited to only 17 regular season games as part of the penalty for their participation in a fight the previous year in a state tournament game.  If that weren't enough, Camden always seemed to draw the toughest opponent in this year's tournament. Wagner's finest moment came when he went coast-to-coast to hit the game winning shot with 0.3 seconds left in the semi-finals of the Tournament of Championships against Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ.  With time running out most players would have pulled up and taken a three, but Wagner knew exactly how much time he had left and went in for the layup.
            Obviously, Wagner is the top player in the best class in the Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey area since the great Class of 1996, which featured Kobe Bryant, Richard Hamilton, Donnie Carr, Arthur Davis, Nate Johnson, Malik Allen, Julian Dunkley, Michael Jordan, Quincy Wadley, Jamar Perry, et al.  This class appears to be deeper than the the Class of 1996 and it may eventually be just as good at the top.  Right now it's almost too close to call between 6'5 Jr John Allen from Coatesville (H.S.) PA and 6'2 Jr Ernest Turner from Somerdale (Sterling) NJ, but we give Allen the nod.  We like his upside better and he had a better season, as he led his team to the final four of the state while playing both inside and outside for his team.
            Turner is a scoring machine, but he's also a year older than his class, which leads us to wonder how much better he's going to get, unless he develops into a pure point guard.  And that will be necessary if he wants to be successful at the next level.  Also vying for the #2 spot in the class will be 6'7 Jr Samual Nadeau from Burlington (Life Center) NJ via Lakewood (Artesia) CA and Newark (Eastside) NJ.  This athletic wing forward has the ability to score from anywhere - he's never seen a shot he didn't like - and that (understanding of the game) is the only thing holding him back.   However, once he perfects the American game, the sky is the limit!
            The class also features three outstanding guards in 5'11 Jr Andre Henry from Harrisburg (H.S.) PA, 5'8 Jr Cantrell Fletcher from Philadelphia (St. John Neumann) PA, and 5'11 Jr Walt Chavis from Steelton (Steelton-Highspire) PA; several bulls like 6'7 Jr Olu Bobalua from Richland (St. Augustine) PA and 6'6 Jr Tamal Forchion from Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA; some excellent perimeter players like 6'5 Jr Pat Carroll from Horsham (Hatboro-Horsham) PA, 6'6 Jr Danny Hinds from Allentown (Central Catholic) PA, and 6'5 Jr David Bell from Philadelphia (Olney) PA; and several big guys, including 6'7 Jr Brandon Brigman from Philadelphia (St. John Neumann) PA and 6'10 Jr Marcus Gantt from Camden (Woodrow Wilson) NJ.
              Henry is the best scorer of the three point guards, plus he's a very good defender and has the ability to run a team.  Fletcher is the best playmaker.  He also plays excellent defense, but he needs to work on his outside shooting, if he wants to get more than just looks from schools at the high Division I level.  Chavis led his team to the Pennsylvania Group-3 State Championship, but he but doesn't play against as good a competition night in and night out as Fletcher.  Otherwise they are very comparable, except Chavis is three inches bigger and Fletcher has a little more natural talent.
             Bobalua is a physical specimen and, as a result, a force to be reckoned with on the boards.   He also has amazing agility and mobility for somebody his size, which explains why he also is able to excel out on the perimeter.  Forchion is a bruiser on the boards and an overachiever at this level, but he's an undersized power forward who lacks the perimeter skills necessary to make it at the high Division I level. 
            Carroll is smaller version of his brother, but he isn't as tall and isn't as quick.    Hinds is one of the best mid-range players in the class, but he also can go outside and shoot the three, as well as post up and rebound inside.   Bell, who can play the one, two, or the three spot, might be the most versatile player in the class.  He also has a great feel for the game, is a great passer, and has good mid-range jumper.
             Brigman has dropped since our last report, but that could change if the light bulb in his head clicks on.  Gantt, who is back at Camden (Woodrow Wilson) NJ, is effective inside, but needs to get his body into shape.  Also falling into this category is 6'8 Jr Jamal Nichols from Philadelphia (Ben Franklin) PA.  He's an excellent rebounder and good at posting up, but he is now showing good offensive skills, as he can pop out and make the mid-range shot.
            The best sophomore in the area and the best player to come out of the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area since Bob Sura is 6'2 Soph Gerry McNamara from Scranton (Bishop Hannon) PA.  He led his team to state championship game and played most of the second half with separated shoulder.  Not only does he have a lot of guts, but he's a winner in the true sense of the word.  McNamara is an excellent ball handler who gets everybody involved.  He also has tremendous poise, is a good outside shooter, and an excellent defender.  You've heard the expression "plays like a coach's son."  Well, 6'6 Soph Lee Melchionni from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA plays like a coach.  He's also probably the most intelligent player in the class and it's easy to see where he gets it from - he is the son of former Duke All-American Gary Melchionni. 
            We still think 6'11 Soph Ted Skuchas from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA has the most potential in the sophomore class.  However, it's going to take some time for his offense to catch up with his defense, rebounding and shot blocking.  Two other sophomores who have to be mentioned are 6'4 Soph Mike Cook from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA and 6'4 Soph Kenell Sanchez from Pennsauken (Bishop Eustace) NJ.  Cook is great slashing to the basket, but he needs to develop a consistent mid-range and outside game for the next level.  Sanchez is a strong wing forward with a good mid-range game.  He also rebounds well for wing player, but needs to extend his range. 
            The freshman class, which is just like the sophomore class - has potential, but is still developing - features 5'10 Frosh Maureece Rice from Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion) PA.  Rice is a Khalid El-Amin clone, but he doesn't shoot the three like El-Amin.  Instead, he makes his living getting to the basket or hitting the mid-range jump - he stops and pops.  And Rice was pretty successful at it, because he led his team to the Public League Championship. The player with the most ability in the freshman class is 6'7 Frosh Stanley Branch from Atlantic City (H.S.) NJ.  He can play either inside or outside, which means he will project as a big time combo forward. 
            The next great player from Coatesville, following in the footsteps of Richard Hamilton and John Allen, is 6'4 David Ben from Coatesville (Gordon Middle School) PA.  Another outstanding 8th grader is 5'7 Noor Ford from Williamsport (Roosevelt) PA, who is already being mentioned as one the best ever to come out of Williamsport.  Also at Roosevelt Middle School is a 7th grader - 6'4 Charlie Johnson - and he's being compared to 6'6 Chevy Troutman from Williamsport (H.S.) PA. 
            Speaking of Troutman, he's one of the reasons the Class  of 2000 has turned out to be a lot better than we originally anticipated.  Also exceeding expectations this year were 5'11 Jameer Nelson from Chester (H.S.) PA, 6'7 Arthur Barclay from Camden (H.S.) NJ, 6'4 Torrian Jones from Fairless Hills (Pennsbury) PA, and 6'5 Omar Thomas from Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion) PA.  Troutman, who signed early with Pittsburgh, and Barclay, who recently made it official for Memphis, are similar in that they are both great rebounders and, as a result, put up big numbers thanks to their efforts on the offensive boards.  Nelson, who is an absolute steal for St. Joseph's, led his team to the Group- 4 State Championship and finished so strong that he is widely recognized as one of the fastest rising players in the nation.  Jones is a terrific defender and his outside shot has really improved.   As a result, he could end up being as good as anybody in the class, except 6'9 Eddie Griffin from Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA and 6'9 Taurance Johnson from Williamsport (H.S.) PA.  Which means Jones could turn out to be a tremendous get for Notre Dame. 
            Thomas can score from anywhere on the court, plus he an excellent rebounder.  He's also still available, although his immediate future may be in prep school or junior college.  Johnson, 6'8 Jamar Smith from Pine Hill (Overbrook Regional) PA, 6'3 Darryl Jones from Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion) PA, and 6'4 Percell Coles from Philadelphia (Simon Gratz) PA are also still unsigned and uncommitted, but none of them are expected to make it academically.  And it is still questionable whether 6'2 Duwan Robinson from Philadelphia (Martin Luther King) PA will be a predictor.  So the only player with grades who still available that is ranked among our top 20 in the senior class in the Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey area is 6'0 Tory Cavalerio from Atlantic City (H.S.) NJ.  However, he's already narrowed his list to Maine, Boston University, and Fairfield.