The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 11

Is is time to hand out the preseason individual accolades. A couple of points about this list: 1. I didn’t, after giving the matter considerable thought, place any freshmen on the list. If I had chosen to consider them for preseason All American status, the lists would look quite different. 2. I chose to have the lists reflect a standard team, with 2 guards, 2 forwards, and a center. With those caveats out of the way, here’s The Trap’s Preseason ‘07-’08 All American List:

1st Team:

G-Chris Lofton-College basketball’s Horatio Alger. From afterthought recruit to Player of The Year candidate, Lofton is Exhibit A of the benefits of hard work and belief in self.
G-Drew Neitzel-The epitome of the toughness that has made Tom Izzo’s program one of the elite.
F-Brandon Rush-I’m going to operate under the assumption his knee will be fine. If it is, Rush will finally fulfill his immense potential.
F-D.J. White-With Eric Gordon to draw defenses to the perimeter, White will be dominant in the post.
C-Roy Hibbert-Will use his senior season to continue expanding his rapidly improving game.

2nd Team:

G-D.J. Augustin-He’ll show people that Kevin Durant wasn’t the only great player Rick Barnes brought to Austin last year.
G-Jamont Gordon-As versatile a player as there is in the country. Inconsistent ballhandling is the only thing keeping him from true superstardom.
F-Taj Gibson-The hype for OJ Mayo can’t overshadow this Trojan’s sound, old school game.
F-Randall Falker-There’s a reason Southern Illinois keeps winning.
C-DeVon Hardin-Another health risk. If healthy, he’ll make Cal competitive in the ultra-tough PAC 10.

3rd Team:

G-Bo McCalebb-U of New Orleans guard is the best unknown scorer in America.
G-Darren Collison-The heart and soul of the nation’s best team.
F-Brandon Costner-Proof that a great player actually can be invisible in the ACC.
F-Ahmad Nivins-Rapidly ascending St. Joe’s big man is the A-10’s best player.
C-Aleks Maric-Big man is the only athletic bright spot in Lincoln right now.

Until next time, stay classy, Volnation.