Background on '01 Prep center class

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Here's some background on the centers from the heralded 2001 class.
Let's see in a few years how many of them live up to the hype. I believe
a couple of these guys played in the Hoop Summit for the international
team.  Maybe some of you watched the game if it was televised?



Eddy Curry
6-11 285 Thornwood, IL
by Marc Maggard for ACC Recruiting Update
He would be a top 3 pick in the NBA right now. Eddy has power, size,
moves, hands, and mobility. He is the most dominating and aggressive
player in the 2001 class. He can overpower any double team and when
fouled, he has a nice stroke at the line. He makes himself available for
the entry pass, and when it comes, he is ready to force the issue. Eddy
Curry is the #1 player in the class of 2001.

Tyson Chandler
7-0 220 Compton, CA
by Clint Jackson
I spoke with 7'0 Center Tyson Chandler of the Southern California
All-Stars a few weeks ago about the speculation of his likely foregoing
his college career to play in the NBA after high school. Chandler says
"If I am projected a lottery pick, I will most likely go to the NBA".
And Chandler has the talent to be an immediate contributor in the NBA,
he is the best shotblocker I have ever seen on the high school or
college level. He blocks with both hands and does it so easily, he
patiently watches the slasher rise and without body contact he pummels
the shots with either hand away from the hoop. He also scores with ease
and rebounds above and beyond the skills of most elite post players.

Desagana Diop
7-0 285 Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
by Vince Baldwin of Midwest Hoops
You will see his name among the top 25 players in the country but that
is based on the unlimited potential the young man has shown. Defensively
he reminds me of a young Patrick Ewing.

Ousamne Cisse
6-9 240 St Jude, Alabama
by Vince Baldwin of Midwest Hoops
Wow! You could almost feel the tension in the air as the two top ranked
bigmen in the camp lined up for the jump. Tyson Chandler has long been
the most talked about player in the country and has faced all
challengers across the land. But until last night I don't know if he
ever faced an opponent like the powerful Ousamne Cisse. Cisse is without
question the toughest, hardest working player in the country and one
look at his chiseled body tells the whole story. On this night. He would
be king. Cisse blocked the first 4 of Tyson shots and sent them into the
stands. He was just too strong for Tyson and outplayed him on both ends
of the floor. Tyson kept trying different moves to get free, only to
have Cisse block his shot. On the other end, Cisse bullied Tyson to the
basket and scored or got fouled. He dunked one time so hard the fans
behinds the basket got up and moved in fear. Tyson fouled out with about
4 minutes to go in the game and Cisse was the clear winner in that match
up.


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