ESPN hints Strom Swift may stay in school

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

ESPN's Andy Katz reports that projected top-three draft pick Strom Swift
may stay in school. Chris Mihm reportedly also continues to attend
classes etc.

One or both of these players could join several other top NBA prospects
in potentially making next years NBA draft one of the deepest ever,
particularly in light of  incoming super-freshmen Zach Randolph (MSU),
DeShawn Stevenson (Kansas), Eddie Griffin (Seton Hall), Gerald Wallace
(Alabama) etc. not to mention the fabled HS class of 2001 (two already
legendary shooting guards and five true centers).

Top collegiate players  who seem likely to stay in school include --in
no particular order or comprehensiveness-- Troy Murphy, Terrence Morris,
Loren Woods, Joe Forte, Casey Jacobson, Brendan Haywood, Shane Battier,
Jason Kapono, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright, Jason Gardner, Juan Dixon,
Lonnie Baxter, Vincent Yarbrough, Tony Harris, Carlos Boozer, Lance
Williams, Jason Williams, Tayshaun Prince, Bobby Simmons, Steven Hunter,
Jabari Smith, Shaheen Holloway etc. Depending on the timing of when they
choose to enter the NBA draft, perhaps as many as a dozen of these guys
could be top five picks.

Normally at this time of year, it is hard to come up with even one
household name player who will stay in school. Certainly last year
around this time, even serious basketball fans did not know or frankly
care what Kenyon Martin or Marcus Fizer's future plans were.The Celtics
will be eligible to have two first round picks in what shapes up to be a
monster 2001 draft, although the Denver pick (I think) is lottery
protected for picks 1 through 5 if we decide to use it next year.

Clips from the Andy Katz article (dated May 9th)  is below


**********

 Swift could give Mihm, Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin and Iowa
 State's Marcus Fizer a run for the top spot if he were to change his
mind
 and declare for the draft.

 Swift said he was returning for his junior season during the NCAA
 Tournament West Regional in Albuquerque, N.M. But, for some reason,
 NBA scouts don't believe him.

 "Why can (Duke's) Shane Battier say he's staying and everyone leaves
him
 alone, but they don't believe Stromile?" said LSU coach John Brady.
"Why
 do people listen to agents and pro scouts. They obviously want him to
come
 out."

 Brady said he can only go on what Swift is doing during the final few
 weeks of school. The 6-9 forward has been a model citizen in school and

 workouts, according to Brady.

 "He was late once and he ran a mile and a half," Brady said. "Does that

 sound like someone who would leave? If he comes out, it will be a
surprise
 to us. His mother hasn't surprised us yet. She has the right to change
her
 mind, but she says he's staying. Stromile hasn't missed a class. I
can't react
 to every rumor or report on a web page."

 Brady said he's getting tired of the daily questions from reporters
about
 Swift's status. But the reason they keep coming to LSU while Duke
 remains quiet is because of Swift's potential to be No. 1. His quick
feet and
 spin moves inside, rebounding tenacity and athleticism from 15-feet in
make
 Swift a potential Kevin Garnett-like pro.

 "Based on what he's doing -- he's staying," Brady said. "He's said it
time
 and time again. Stromile says it and nobody listens or believes it."

 LSU's classes end this week and finals are next week, just in time for
the
 early entry deadline.