Tuesday, March 31, 1998
The field for the Nike Iolani Prep Basketball Classic is shaping up early with an array of highly touted "big men," including one who's considered NBA bait. National champion
By Pat Bigold
in Iolani Classic
Star-BulletinGlenn Young, assistant director of the classic, which has received a $20,000 infusion from the athletic shoe giant, said USA Today "Super 25" national champion St. John's at Prospect Hall (Md.) will return along with about five other teams that are expected to make the preseason national rankings.
The 14th edition of the classic will be played Dec. 17-22. Young said the finals will be shifted from the Iolani gym to the Blaisdell Arena or the Stan Sheriff Center.
DeMarrr Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward from Newport High School in Maryland, is listed in collegiate scouting reports as virtually unrecruitable because of his NBA marketability.
One report from the internet said Johnson could be recruited "only if he's not ready to work for a living."
In fact, Young said that his agreement with the Newport High program is that the school will come to Hawaii in December only if Johnson is still playing.
St. John's, winner of the last two Iolani Classic titles, is hoping to have star forward Damien Wilkins back. Wilkins, the son of the Orlando Magic's Gerald Wilkins, was expelled from the Catholic school for being caught showing public affection for a female classmate on school property. The family now has an injunction in place to keep Wilkins in school, but the matter is expected to be resolved in court.
St. John's loses All-American guard-forward Jason Capel to North Carolina.
Rice High School of Manhattan, ranked 11th last season in USA Today but due to move up in preseason, features five outstanding college prospects. The key low post man is 6-10 sophomore Kyle Cuffe. He's joined by 6-8 junior Kenny Saterfield, 6-4 junior Kevin Bell, 6-6 sophomore Andre Swet and 5-9 sophomore point guard Andre Barrett.
Rice, which won the New York City Catholic Class A title with a 22-4 record, stands a chance of getting a valuable transfer before next season in 6-10 junior Florida prep star Kenny Walker.
Besides the fact that Dominguez of Compton, Calif., will likely be in the national rankings and possibly the best team in its state next season, what stands out about the school's basketball program is 7-0 Tyson Chandler. Chandler last season was considered one of the best freshmen in the nation.
Also back will be 6-6 junior forward Keith Kincaid, 6-5 sophomore Keith Brooks and 6-1 freshman point guard Keilon Fortune.
Dominguez loses forward Keyshawn Prince to Kentucky.
Lower Richland High School of Hopkins, S.C., which went 27-2 last season and made an appearance in the national rankings, is another program expected to be in the "Super 25" in the next preseason.
The team features 6-7 junior Ivan Howel and his brother, 6-9 sophomore Rolando Howel, and superb 6-0 junior point guard Edward Scott.
Also back will be a stronger Fairfax High of Los Angeles and a new entry, Tempview High School of Provo, Utah. Neither is expected to make the national rankings but Tempview is projected as one of the strongest teams in Utah for next season.
Last year's classic runner-up, Provo High (16th in the last USA Today poll), will not be back.
Young said the field is still being assembled but local teams definitely scheduled to be in the field will be state champion Iolani, state runner-up (five-time defending Oahu Interscholastic Association champion) Kalaheo, St. Louis and Punahou.
Iolani Classic officials will meet with Nike representatives this summer to finalize plans for advertising, finals site and tournament trappings.