TEANECK, N.J. -- Think great matchups. Earps vs. Clantons. Ali vs. Frazier. The Voice Dogs vs. the Zsa Zsa's in a "battle of the cover song bands" on cable. Well, maybe scratch that last one.

The first day of the open evaluation period (college coaches in attendance) at adidas ABCD Camp at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey provided more than just a little eye candy for basketball fanatics.

The Class of 2001 has many talented point guards and many of them will be dueling this week at the adidas Camp. 6-2 senior Anthony Roberson (Saginaw H.S./Saginaw, Mich), who has already committed to Florida, gave 6-2 senior Sean Dockery (Julian H.S./Chicago, Ill.) some of his best stuff on his way to a TKO over Dockery, who had just given a verbal commitment to Duke days earlier. In fact, Roberson appeared to be gesturing to Duke's Coach "K" after one of artful plays against an overwhelmed Dockery.

In fairness to Dockery however, Roberson did not guard him. Nor did Roberson guard 6-0 senior Elijah Ingram (St. Anthony H.S./Jersey City, N.J.) either when the two opposed each other in the evening session, and he did not fare quite as well against Ingram's more intense defense. Roberson has quickness, but he's more of a power point. He's very effective in using his body if he can get his shoulder past his opponent. Ingram's quickness bothered Roberson a lot initially, although he eventually used his stronger frame to gain leverage and position on Ingram. Ingram is also no slouch, being one of the better point guard prospects in this loaded class, and he was definitely gunning for Roberson.

The nation's top player, 6-7 senior Lenny Cooke (Northern Valley Regional H.S./Old Tappan, N.J.), found himself matched up against 6-8 Syracuse-bound Carmelo Anthony (Oak Hill Academy/Mouth of Wilson, Va.). As the top fish in camp, Cooke will find that everybody will try to bring their "A" game when playing him. Anthony has not received a lot of hype, but is one of the nation's Top 5 players. He is athletic and very skilled, and he does play hard, a better version of DerMarr Johnson, now with the Atlanta Hawks.

Anthony went around Cooke, left and right, equally well for easy baskets. Flushed it, hit jumpers and turnarounds while Cooke battled unsuccessfully to slow him down. First round to Cooke. The next time their quarter groups matched up, however, while Anthony played well, he couldn't match his earlier efforts and Cooke took his energy level up another notch in gaining a slight edge over the more talented Anthony.

More than anything else, Cooke is a "grinder." Cooke just keeps coming at his opponent until he mentally wills him to submission. Cooke is sporting an improved jumper, which he needs, but it is his competitiveness that sets him apart from the others.

Looking down the line, if Anthony can develop that competitive "staying power" that Cooke has, he will be a much better player than Cooke. In other words, Anthony showed that he is the better prospect, being taller and more skilled than Cooke. Anthony will be the "superstar" that Syracuse used to routinely have. Everybody knows about him, but this is his coming out party on the national radar.

6-11, 245-pound senior Sani Ibrahim (Winchendon Prep/Winchendon, Mass.) is a player that like Cooke, being talked about as an early entry candidate for next year's NBA Draft. Ibrahim is a good athlete with a really soft touch who can score inside and out. He was matched up against the "Amityville Horror," long-armed, 6-10, 210-pound senior Jason Fraser (Amityville H.S./Amityville, N.Y.), whose offensive game is very undeveloped by comparison.

However, Fraser, while lighter in the caboose than Ibrahim, is a more aggressive player. He consistently established deep post position and being more athletic, with those long arms was able to go up and over Ibrahim in the post to score and rebound. That same athletic edge made Ibrahim retreat from the paint and range farther afield to get comfortable.

Again, Ibrahim is more polished, but Fraser looks to have a better upside as a shot blocking force who is more athletic and will also be a better rebounder who can run the floor. Advantage Agassi, err, Fraser.

We also saw the future; again, since we first saw the future here last year. 5-10, 160-pound sophomore Sebastian Telfair (Lincoln H.S./Brooklyn, N.Y.) was matched up against North Carolina commitment, 6-1, 190-pound senior Raymond Felton (Latta H.S./Latta, S.C.).

Telfair is wise beyond his years. He has several gears that he uses to get by opponents and he can get into the paint anytime he wants and is the strongest penetrator playing high school basketball. In fairness to Felton, having an experienced pro coach having Telfair's team set a high screen almost everytime the precocious sophomore was advised to go one on one, didn't hurt. However, Telfair also took Felton at will without the benefit of a high screen.

Felton, who is an explosive athlete, took Telfair more than a few times, using his size, speed and power, but Telfair plays the game on another level, a cerebral one above Felton, as he has a superior feel for the game. Felton is more of a lead guard with a scorer's mentality and he will be a good one for the Tar Heels. Telfair will be a great one, who will impact somebody's program-if he decides to play college basketball.

Telfair's next challenge is discipline. He knows he can take anybody into the paint. Can he keep from taking incredibly difficult shots trying to draw fouls instead of making the simple kick out to a teammate? Can he develop an in-between game and be happy taking the open pull-up jumper once he blows past his man? Can he develop the patience it will take to play not only with lesser talented teammates, but also teammates who do not have his feel for the game? Can Telfair put the time in to improve his perimeter jumper (he's not a good outside shooter), which isn't close to his superb slashing skills?

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