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PHOTOS: PATRIC YOUNG - UF COMMUNICATIONS; JOE JACKSON - JOE MURPHY
20 RONALD NORED & KHYLE MARSHALL
Butler University Over the past four years, Butler has registered an astounding 117-25 record, including back-to- back trips to the national cham- pionship game. But with Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard both gone, can the Bulldogs continue their winning ways? The answer is yes. This season, Brad Stevens will turn to senior point guard Ronald Nored and sophomore swingman Khyle Marshall in their quest for a trip back to the Final Four. Nored, an excellent leader on the court, will have the ball in his hands, while Marshall will pick up where he left off in last year's NCAA Tournament.
19 GERALD HENDERSON
Charlotte Bobcats By the end of last season, Ger- ald Henderson finally became the player Charlotte knew he was capable of becoming when they drafted him 12th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Averag- ing 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the month of April, the Bobcats felt comfortable enough trad- ing away Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson in order to open up the starting spot for the third-year shooting guard. Oh yeah, and Michael Jordan told the Charlotte Observer that same month he believes Hen- derson has the upside to be an All-Star in two seasons.
18 ISAIAH WHITEHEAD
Lincoln High School Isaiah Whitehead, a 6-4 sopho- more combo guard, is the next up and coming New York City star hailing from Brooklyn's legendary Lincoln High School. After an impressive summer, in which he was actively recruited by the likes of Ken- tucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Syracuse, St. John's, Florida, Georgetown, and UCLA, Whitehead has his sights set on winning a city title. And following in the footsteps of Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson, he knows the spotlight will be on him every step of the way.
the NCAA last season with 6.9 assists per game. Already Ohio State's all-time assists leader, look for Prahalis to have a mon- ster senior year in Columbus.
14 JOE JACKSON 17 PATRIC YOUNG
University of Florida After the graduation of Alex Tyus, Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons, one might expect Gator fans to start panicking. Patric Young will assuage those fears. The sophomore center was named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50, despite averaging a mere 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last year off the bench. After a strong showing for USA Basketball this summer, Young is ready to improve upon his SEC All-Freshman status and the Gators' SEC Championship and Elite Eight run.
16 PAUL GEORGE
Indiana Pacers Paul George is a budding young talent. After climbing draft boards last June to go 10th overall to the Pacers, he stepped into his rookie season with a lot to learn. Despite only logging 16 starts, he played well enough off the bench to make the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes a game. After earning a reputation as a strong de- fender, especially against MVP Derrick Rose in the first round of the playoffs, the swingman will provide Indiana with the scoring and athleticism they need for years to come.
15 SAMANTHA PRAHALIS
The Ohio State University Samantha Prahalis is consid-
ered the next game changer in women's basketball. Why? Be- cause the 5-7 senior point guard is changing coaches' perception of traditional guard play. Widely considered the "Steve Nash of women's basketball" as she dazzles fans with her flashy plays, Prahalis finished third in
University of Memphis Last year, Joe Jackson saved his best play for the postseason, averaging 16.5 points and 3.0 assists in four appear- ances, including the two championship-winning free throws in the Conference USA Tournament title game. As the Tigers' second-leading scorer, the Memphis native looks to improve upon his stellar all-around play this season as he teams back up again with fellow sophomore Will Barton. Both these guys were named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50, but look for Jackson to breakout.