THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 26, 1995 TAG: 9506260133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 125 lines
No league has delivered more quality talent to the NBA in recent years than the Atlantic Coast Conference. Still, college basketball's premier conference has not had a No. 1 draft choice in the last eight years.
That blemish will be erased on Wednesday when NBA team officials gather in Toronto.
The question won't be if the top draft choice will be from the ACC, but who it will be.
Maryland's Joe Smith and North Carolina's Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace top a list of 10 ACC players who are hopeful of being selected in the first round.
Over the last four years, the ACC has led all Division I conferences with 20 first-round picks, but it has never had more than six players picked in the first round in any single year.
In addition to the top three, possible first-rounders include Duke's Cherokee Parks, Wake Forest's Randolph Childress, Virginia's Junior Burrough and Cory Alexander, Georgia Tech's James Forrest and Travis Best and Florida State's Bob Sura.
The talent from the league this year is so immense that some analysts are predicting that Smith, Stackhouse, and Wallace will be the top three choices, tying a record set by the ACC in 1986 when North Carolina's Brad Daugherty, Maryland's Len Bias, and North Carolina State's Chris Washburn were the first three selections.
But who will be No. 1?
The Golden State Warriors own the No. 1 pick and predraft speculation has centered on Smith, a 6-foot-10 graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk.
However, some members of the California media are waging a campaign for Stackhouse. They contend he is the only player available who might make an immediate impact and possibly could be the ``next'' Michael Jordan.
Stackhouse was constantly compared to Jordan, who also played at North Carolina for coach Dean Smith, last season because of his acrobatic drives and ability to take over a game.
``Clearly, a guy off the street can walk in and see he (Stackhouse) is a great player,'' said Scott Layden, Utah's director of basketball operations. ``He seems to have total focus and concentration. During a game his intensity level is incredible.
``When I watch him play, I just can't take my eyes off of him. When he goes to the basket, you think there's either going to be a collision, a spectacular dunk or a fantastic play. That is what makes him so exciting. He's got tremendous, God-given talent.''
The problem for the 6-6 Stackhouse, a power forward at North Carolina, is where he will play in the pros. His most natural position would seem to be small forward or shooting guard.
Golden State, with the No. 1 pick, though, is in most need of a power forward, which gives credibility to speculation that Smith will be its choice.
``I would agree with that,'' said Sonny Allen, a former Old Dominion University coach who now scouts college talent for the Charlotte Hornets, ``but you could make a case for Stackhouse being No. 1, too. It really depends on what the team needs - a power forward like Smith or a small forward-guard like Stackhouse.''
There are rumors the Warriors could draft Stackhouse and trade shooting guard Latrell Sprewell for an established power forward.
``If you want a power forward, why not just draft Smith?'' asks Allen. ``He's got great skills, a good attitude, and a lot of potential.''
Stackhouse also failed to prove he could fill the shooting guard slot during his workout for the Warriors last week.
``He shot it real nice for the most part, but he had trouble shooting off the dribble,'' Warriors personnel director Ed Gregory said. ``The great shooters don't have that problem.''
Warriors coach Rick Adelman said that Stackhouse has the quickness to be a pro guard but agreed with Gregory that he needs to improve his shooting range.
``Still you have to feel real comfortable about what kind of pro he could be, and that is something we'll have to talk through,'' Adelman told reporters after watching Stackhouse work out.
Wallace, a 6-10 center at North Carolina, is seen as the third choice in the draft by Allen.
``He's like Smith, in that he's got great potential and a good background,'' Allen said.
``But his attitude seems to bother some people.''
Tony DiLeo, director of scouting for the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the third pick, recently voiced concern about Wallace's reputation as a cocky trash-talker.
Allen said he didn't think Wallace's attitude is a big problem. ``It is not something to be overly concerned about, but that's one of the things that separates him from Smith,'' he said.
Allen's take on other ACC players:
Cherokee Parks, power forward, Duke: ``He should go in the second group, maybe as high as fifth. I like him. He had success in college and works hard. He has a good outside shot, too, that people didn't know about.''
Randolph Childress, guard, Wake Forest: ``He is someone I really like. I just think he is a player, whether he's at the No. 1 or No. 2 guard spot. I was surprised to read reports that some (NBA scouts) thought he was surly. Sometimes being a little surly is not bad. I saw him in the ACC tournament and he was something. I think he's a great pick.''
Bob Sura, guard, Florida State: ``He'll play in the NBA, and probably will be a mid-first round choice. He's the type of player who needs to get with a team that plays a wide-open, running style.
Travis Best, guard, Georgia Tech: ``Most people like him although he is only 5-11. He played well at the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago. He is a true point guard, and that's hard to find in this draft. He should go late in the first round.''
James Forrest, power forward, Georgia Tech: ``Here is a guy who could surprise people. I like his game. The problem is he was inconsistent for four years in college, so why should he be consistent as a pro? He's the type you want to take a chance on if no one definite is still available. He could be a late first or early second round pick.
Junior Burrough, power forward, Virginia: ``I like his work ethic. He is a role player, but I think there is a place for him in the league. His play in the NCAA tournament will help him. He could be a late first-rounder.''
Allen said he had not seen Virginia guard Cory Alexander enough to make an evaluation.
Alexander two years ago was considered one of the best point guards in the nation. He missed the 1993-94 season and part of last year with foot injuries. Most reports have him being taken in the second round. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos from files
by CNB