Jan. 15, 2004
Every season, one of the most interesting aspects of college basketball is watching the new kids on the block. I'm not talking about a singing group, baby, but diaper dandies -- the freshmen who make an instant impact.
You hear so much about players coming out of the scholastic ranks with great hype, and you can't wait to see how they'll blend in with other great players. Here are my top five most influential diaper dandies so far this season (plus seven more who make up my Dazzling Dozen Diaper Dandies).
LUOL DENG, DUKE -- The big man's multiple talents have been vital to Duke's offensive and defensive systems. Deng has lived up to expectations. He's averaging about 30 minutes a game and also helps out on the glass.
CHRIS PAUL, WAKE FOREST -- Coach Skip Prosser is thrilled to have him in the lineup. The point guard has a magnificent smile; he's the mayor of Winston-Salem! Paul has a complete game. He makes clutch free throws and shoots from long distance.
DREW LAVENDER, OKLAHOMA -- At 5-7, he's a big man on campus in Norman. Lavender is a winner and one of the best guys under 6 feet in America. He has been a positive force for coach Kelvin Sampson. The orchestra leader, he leads the Sooners in assists and is also a key scorer.
KRIS HUMPHRIES, MINNESOTA -- The Golden Gophers are getting a double-double almost every night from Humphries. Duke fans must wonder what would have happened if he were wearing the Blue Devils uniform instead of opting to stay closer to home.
P.J. TUCKER, TEXAS -- He has been one of the biggest surprises of the freshman class. Tucker did not come in rated among the premier diaper dandies, but he has come through to lead the Longhorns in scoring. He made the big play at the end of Texas' win at Providence in a Maalox masher. Tucker is a man on the glass who will have a great career for Rick Barnes at Texas.
Seven other diaper dandies have made an impact and made it onto my All-Diaper Dandy Dazzling Dozen (so far): Missouri's Linas Kleiza, who has been a force on the glass; UConn's Charlie Villanueva, who has been on fire after sitting out the first six regular-season games; Mustafa Shakur, Arizona's lightning quick guard; Cal's Leon Powe, who is averaging about a double-double; Andrew Bogut, Utah's import from Australia; UCLA's Trevor Ariza, who has performed well after injury problems; and Pitt's Chris Taft, a dominant performer on the glass.
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