Sizing things up from the All-America Camp Options

[Goldmember]

Sizing things up from the All-America Camp
July 7, 2006
By Gregg Doyel / CBS SportsLine.com National Columnist


INDIANAPOLIS -- Wasn't going to write this week from the Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis. Why not? Because you didn't ask nicely. But then all sorts of things -- big things, small things -- started happening, so here you go. A dispatch from Nike Camp.

You're welcome.

Drum roll, please ...

Florida's loss, Kentucky's gain: Sources all over Nike Camp say Florida recruit Doneal Mack, the only guard in the Gators' incoming freshman class, is about to become a free agent because of an eligibility hang-up that won't allow him to play for the Gators ... but will allow him to play elsewhere in Division I this season. The reason has something to do with his standardized test score, sources say, but the upshot is this: Kentucky already has let Mack's people know that he has a scholarship if he wants to become a Wildcat. Oklahoma State also is in the hunt for Mack, a 6-foot-5 lefty with athletic ability and shooting range. As for Florida, Mack would become the third guard recruit in two years to leave, or never enter, the program. Last year Derwin Kitchen didn't get eligible, and last week rising sophomore David Huertas transferred to Ole Miss. Billy Donovan has that championship ring, plus Joakim Noah, Taurean Green, Corey Brewer and Al Horford. Billy Donovan ain't worried.

Bayless to Texas: He hasn't committed yet, but it's only a matter of time. Jerryd Bayless, one of the top guards in the class of 2007 and a no-brainer future NBA player, is expected to pick Texas after decommitting earlier this summer from Arizona. Coaches throughout the Southwest say they're barely bothering to recruit Bayless because they're that sure he's headed to the Longhorns.

Kansas shrinks: By adding power forward Darrell Arthur to a roster already loaded with wings and guards, Kansas coach Bill Self will occasionally find himself going smaller this season. If he wants to play his five most talented guys, Self would start Arthur at center, Julian Wright and Brandon Rush at forward, Russell Robinson at shooting guard and Mario Chalmers or Sherron Collins at point guard. Off the bench? Pure centers C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun, plus power forward Darnell Robinson and USC wing transfer Rodrick Stewart. Freshman guard Brady Morningstar, a better player than advertised, could redshirt.

Big Baby not so big: Glen Davis is still huge, understand. But he's not sloppy anymore. Davis, who weighed 328 pounds last year during the Final Four -- he was listed at 310, but he was 328 -- is down to 289. And shrinking. Davis has told LSU coach John Brady he would like to weigh 280 after learning from NBA scouts that he needs to improve his mobility. Funny. Last season Davis was mobile enough to record 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds, win SEC Player of the Year and lead LSU into the Final Four.

Other size issues: NBA scouts have been wowed by the new physique of Indiana junior D.J. White and encouraged by the improved body of Georgetown junior Roy Hibbert, both of whom -- like LSU's Davis -- are Nike counselors this week. White, who was listed last season at 6-9, 242, is noticeably bigger in the upper body and is using the bulk to pound into Davis in camp scrimmages. Hibbert, listed last year at 7-2 and 283, has dropped weight and looks more mobile than a year ago.

Amoroso to UNLV: Former Marquette forward Ryan Amoroso has told people at his former school that he will transfer to UNLV, where he will walk on for a year. Amoroso, who averaged 5.6 ppg and four rebounds as a sophomore, had a 30-and-12 monster game against South Carolina in November but had played his way out of the rotation by February. Maybe UNLV coach Lon Kruger can help Amoroso find his inner Louis Amundson.

A.J. Price: College coaches who have watched counselors scrimmage say UConn guard A.J. Price -- who has yet to play a college game -- looks fabulous. Price missed the 2004-05 season because of a near-fatal brain ailment, then was suspended for the 2005-06 season for off-court reasons.