THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170183
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 54 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: Medium
And, at this point, those in the know say Barnett may have the edge in meeting that goal.
{REST} After Elizabeth City State's 1993-94 season, Higgs seemingly had an edge over Barnett. But in the three months since the season ended, the tables may have turned.
Higgs had another great season in the CIAA, played well in the CIAA tournament and in the NCAA Division II playoffs. NBA scouts were around every corner watching Higgs lead the Vikings' offense.
Barnett also had a good season. A 6-foot-10 forward, Barnett led the CIAA in blocked shots and at times dominated games defensively. He became more involved in the Vikings' offense and was a big part of the team's run for its division championship.
However, Barnett seemingly jeopardized a possible NBA career with his outburst at Elizabeth City State Chancellor Jimmy R. Jenkins after Virginia Union blew out the Vikings near the end of the season. That led to Barnett leaving the team and leaving school before graduating. Word spread that Barnett's quick temper could get him into trouble.
Higgs, who was named CIAA player of the year as a junior, seemed ready for the big time. Then came the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this spring, a showcase for NBA scouts. Higgs failed to impress scouts in the tournament, and his stock dropped quickly.
``He didn't play well over there,'' Vikings coach Claudie Mackey said. ``The worst part was that he wasn't invited to the Phoenix (Suns) and Chicago (Bulls) combines. That indicates that some may have written him off.''
Another observer said that Higgs' major weakness was exposed during the PIT - an inability to play without the ball. To try to overcome that problem, Higgs has played with the Miami Tropics of the United States Basketball League this spring.
``One of the things the USBL is getting him to do is play without the ball,'' Mackey said. ``Nate is working with former NBA player Richard Dumas on those types of things.''
Mackey said that Higgs is averaging about 20 points and 12 rebounds a game, numbers that parallel his Elizabeth City State career. Playing well in the USBL has helped his chances, but whether Higgs will be drafted remains a big question.
After leaving school, Barnett talked about playing professionally in Europe. Now his agent, Wayne Souza, predicts Barnett will be a second-round NBA draft pick.
``There is a very good chance he'll get drafted,'' Souza said. ``He was kind of an unknown until late despite leading the nation in blocked shots while he played in junior college. He's got a good shot of going in the second round. It's going to be a light draft as far as 6-10 players go.''
Souza said that Barnett practiced with the Winnipeg and Halifax teams in the Canadian Basketball League before earning a spot at the Chicago Bulls' NBA camp.
Mackey said he has heard that the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic and the Bulls are interested in Barnett.
``(NBA scout) Marty Blake had given him a good rating,'' Mackey said. ``You've got to pay attention when a player has led the nation in blocked shots at two different levels.''
by CNB