PHOTOPHILE: Who's got next? Best roundballers descend on JPJ

Future Ohio State Buckeye B.J. Mullens of Canal Winchester, Ohio is elevated on the receiving end of an "alley-oop."
PHOTO BY WILL WALKER

Although the laws of the space-time continuum usually prevent it, a lucky few people got a chance to peer into the future last week when the University of Virginia hosted the 100 best high school basketball players in the country. The teenaged sharpshooters were there for the NBA Players' Association's annual camp for the top prospects in the nation.

This year marks the 11th year the players' union has held the camp, and this year they chose UVA and its brand new facilities at John Paul Jones Arena as host. Though the NCAA strictly forbids any communication between UVA officials and the athletes, the chances of a stellar Cavalier recruiting class couldn't help but get a boost when the rising stars got a good look at the shiny new digs.

Of special interest to 'Hoos fans was the presence of Ralph Sampson III, a 6' 10" senior from Northview High School outside Atlanta, whose famous father was on hand to coach. [Check out page xx for more on Sampson's return.]

Ralph Sampson keeps his eye on the players during June 22 warm-ups.

Ralph Sampson III shoots over Baltimore big man Henry Sims. Sims has verbally committed to become a Georgetown Hoya in 2008, while Sampson has yet to choose his school.

Washington Wizards' forward and NBA all-star Caron Butler demonstrates how to stay limber.

Oakland's Frank Otis gets in one more lay-up before the next scrimmage tips off.

Nasir Robinson of Chester, Pennsylvania, blows by Oak Hill Academy's Brandon Jennings on the way to the hoop. He hopes to do the same playing for Pitt starting in 2008.

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