Roundball Classic–including the NBA’s Peoria Central guard Shaun Livingston appears to be headed for Duke, but he will be listening to projections from NBA scouts and general managers about his potential as a lottery pick.
Livingston is one of the main attractions in Wednesday night’s EA Sports Roundball Classic all-star game at the United Center. Tickets still were available late Wednesday for the game, which tips off at 7 p.m.
NBA personnel also will be evaluating
6-foot-1o Dwight Howard of Southwest Christian in Atlanta, who is being touted as the No. 1 pick. Other draft prospects include Josh Smith, DePaul signee Dorell Wright and Randolph Morris.
WBBM-Ch. 2 sportscaster Stephen Bardo, who played on Illinois’ 1989 Final Four team, helps RedEye scout some of the prospects playing in Wednesday’s showcase.
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EAST STARS
Justin Cerasoli
6-4, 170, guard, West Aurora
(Aurora)
Committed to: Seton Hall
– Finalist for McDonald’s All-American.
Bardo’s take: A good, athletic guard who has size and is creative with the rock. Cerasoli has something to prove. He wants the national recognition some of the other players enjoy, so he will try to show the crowd he belongs. Once he gets into Seton Hall’s weight room, he should have a good career.
Dwight Howard
6-10, 235, forward,
SW Atlanta Christian (Atlanta)
Uncommitted
Bardo’s take: He’s the truth! Bulls assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong, who loved this guy last year, said he was a prototype power forward. Think Amare Stoudemire.
Dorell Wright
6-7, 235, forward, South Kent Prep (Los Angeles)
Committed to: DePaul
Bardo’s take: Very strong and fearless with the ball; attacks the basket. Can score a number of different ways, and will help bring DePaul back to its glory days.
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WEST STARS
Shaun Livingston
6-7, 170, guard, Peoria Central Committed to: Duke
– Considered the top point guard in the country and led Central to a second straight Class AA championship. A Naismith Award finalist.
Bardo’s take: Tall point guard with multiple skills. His outside shot needs improvement. He’s frail–needing a couple of years in a college weight room. No lock for the lottery.
Calvin Brock
6-6, 175, forward, Simeon (Chicago)
Uncommitted
Bardo’s take: Very athletic guard/forward with tremendous upside. Has only scratched the surface of his ability. Needs to work on his perimeter game, but should play well in this game since it’s in Chicago.
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Edited by Phillip Thompson (plthompson@tribune.com) and Chris Courtney (cdcourtney@tribune.com)
