Teams once bitten never twice shy for prep stars

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Rashard Lewis was still crying after putting on a cap emblazoned with the Sonics logo during the 1998 draft. The quiet kid from Elsik High School in Alief, Texas, remained stunned that he had been overlooked by every team in the first round.

Now, the 28 teams that passed on the budding All-Star should shed the tears.

In a twist - Lewis, the 32nd overall pick in 1998 - is a cautionary tale: teams overlooking players who went from their proms to the pros are missing out on a franchise player.

And for all the hand-wringing and preaching about staying in school, clubs will make sure they don't ignore the next Rashard Lewis on Wednesday in this year's NBA draft.

"We prefer that they weren't in the draft because we think that they are better prepared for the NBA (going to college)," said Pete Babcock, general manager of the Atlanta Hawks, who own the No. 3 pick. "But the reality of life is that they are in the draft. And our objective is to take the player who makes us the best team for the next five-plus years. If it's a 22-year-old or 19-year-old, that's not the issue with us."

At least three high-school players - 6-foot-11 Kwame Brown of Brunswick, Ga., 7-1 Tyson Chandler of Compton, Calif., and 6-11 Eddy Curry of Thornwood, Ill. - are expected to be selected among the top five picks. And another player, DeSagana Diop, from Oak Hill, Va., by way of Senegal, should be drafted among the top 10.

Since 1995, 13 high-school players have declared for the NBA draft. The cautionary tale used most often to dissuade preps from skipping college isn't Lewis' story. It's the nightmarish outcomes of Taj McDavid and Ellis Richardson, preps who were never drafted. And Leon Smith, a 1999 first-round pick whose troubles off the court - a suicide attempt and an arrest - were worse than the natural troubles on the court.

But the overwhelming majority of high-schoolers selected in the draft since 1995 have either turned into superstars like the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and Orlando's Tracy McGrady or emerging stars like Lewis and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.

The challenge for NBA teams is determining which prep is a can't-miss star who merits a high pick. It's a tricky terrain because the prospects have played against inferior competition to this point.

"It's very difficult because you might be scouting a guy who might be the only Division I player on the floor," said Sonics GM Rick Sund. "And you're projecting what he's going to be three, four years down the line. It's difficult to determine what college players are going to be down the line."

Indeed, the draft isn't an exact science, and the uncertainty is multiplied when it comes to high-school players. Until the Sonics drafted Lewis in 1998, they had never talked to him.

But once the 6-10 small forward was in the fold they more than made up for it, giving him much more attention than the veteran players.

Dwane Casey served an avuncular role as well as that of an assistant coach. And Lewis was brought along slowly before becoming a starter last season.

"Teams have to be a lot more patient with young kids," said Jerry West, the former Lakers president who drafted Bryant in 1996. "It's almost like trying to raise a child. I think people who take these guys, they know that. They might get a jewel somewhere down the line so they don't mind doing it."

West believes that the main challenge in evaluating a prep is gauging his desire and determination, not his pure talent.

"I've always felt that the talent part is probably one of the easiest things to see," West said Friday. "But you can't ever measure what's inside someone. Ultimately, if they're skilled, the thing that is going to decide who they become are character and determination. Some don't have the same level as the truly great players."

Twelve teams shunned Bryant in 1996 before the swingman was taken No. 13 by the Lakers in a pre-arranged deal with Charlotte. The move has helped transform the Lakers into a budding dynasty.

"Twelve teams passed on Kobe," Magic GM Pat Williams said. "We've all been awakened. There's no doubt."

Utah owner Larry Miller had doubts about drafting high-school players up until last year when the Jazz selected guard DeShawn Stevenson out of Fresno, Calif., with the 23rd pick.

Utah was pleased with Stevenson's development before the 20-year-old was charged with statutory rape Wednesday. Stevenson, out on bail, faces up to three years in jail.

But Stevenson's travails won't hinder NBA teams from falling for high-school players.

"Our preference is for more experienced players, just because they are more ready and they are easier to judge," said Wally Walker, Sonics president. "But we also have to compete for the best talent."

Nunyo Demasio can be reached at 206-515-5699 or ndemasio@seattletimes.com.