STAR-POWER

After the 2008 Old Spice Classic is wrapped and in the books, these are the players who will have made the biggest impression

By Michael Freer

In just two years, the Old Spice hasn’t lacked star power. Consider that in this year’s NBA Draft three of the top 20 selections--Kansas State’s Michael Beasley (No. 2 pick), Rider’s Jason Thompson (12) and N.C. State’s J.J. Hickson (19)--played in the 2007 Old Spice Classic. Throw in Beasley’s teammate Bill Walker (47), and four of the 48 collegiate players selected in the draft participated in last year’s OSC. In fact, three more draft picks from this year’s draft--Joe Alexander (West Virginia), Sonny Weems (Arkansas) and Deron Washington (Virginia Tech)--played in this event back in 2006. So it goes without saying … if you do well at the Old Spice Classic, your stock should rise. Here are eight players who are armed and ready to take their games to the next level – using the 2008 Old Spice Classic as their stage:

Jessie Sapp | 6’3”, 210 | senior, guard School: GEORGETOWN Claim to Fame: The Hoyas’ second leading returning scorer (9.7 ppg) led the team in assists (110), steals (42) and three-point field goals made (62) last season. Outlook: With Roy Hibbert, Jonathan Wallace and Patrick Ewing Jr. gone, Sapp will be one of the veterans the Hoyas will look to in 2008-09. Although not a double-figure scorer last season, Sapp has proven to be a clutch performer, as evidenced by his game-winning three-pointer against West Virginia last January. He has a knack for showing up in the big moments (like his scoring 23 points in a Big East quarterfinal win over Villanova), so 2008-09 should be his moment. >> Read Jessie Sapp's profile

Jeremy Pargo | 6’2”, 219 | senior, guard School: GONZAGA Claim to Fame: The WCC Player of the Year last season, Pargo was second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg), and ranked 20th in Division I in assists at six per contest. Also shot 49.7 percent from the field, a decent figure from the point guard position. Outlook: Pargo figures to be one of the top point guards in the nation. Not just an assist man, Pargo is a big-time scorer against top-notch opponents, scoring 28 points against Oklahoma, 25 at then-No. 1 Memphis and 18 against Davidson in the NCAA Tournament. >> Read Jeremy Pargo's profile

Greivis Vasquez | 6’6”, 190 | junior, guard School: MARYLAND Claim to Fame: The second team All-ACC performer who led Maryland in scoring (17 ppg), assists (6.8), steals (47) and minutes (37) last season was the only player in the ACC in 2007-08 ranked in the top 5 in points, assists and minutes played. Outlook: One of the more underrated players in the ACC, Vasquez will get a lot of attention in 2008-09. Last season he improved his scoring average by 7.2 ppg, the second-best improvement in the ACC. His 388 assists were the 10th most ever by an ACC sophomore (more than Phil Ford, Travis Best and Ty Lawson in their sophomore seasons). >> Read Greivis Vasquez's profile

Raymar Morgan | 6’7”, 225 | junior, forward School: MICHIGAN STATE Claim to Fame: Led Michigan State in scoring (14 ppg) and was second in rebounding (6.1) last season. Morgan, a second team All-Big Ten selection and the team’s MVP, finished in the top 10 in the league in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage (55.8). Outlook: On a team where Drew Neitzel got most of the pub, it was Morgan who was probably the Spartans’ best all-around player. Last season, Morgan was one of three players in the conference to average at least 14 points, 6 rebounds and shoot over 50 percent from the field. The other two – Indiana’s D.J. White and Ohio State’s Kosta Koufos – were both first-round selections in the 2008 NBA Draft. >> Read Raymar Morgan's profile

James Anderson | 6’6”, 195 | sophomore, guard School: OKLAHOMA STATE Claim to Fame: Led Oklahoma State in scoring (13.3 ppg), field goals made (148) and three-point field goals (67) as a freshman. Anderson’s 438 points were the second most by a freshman in school history. Outlook: A Big 12 All-Rookie Team honoree last season, Anderson was fifth in scoring among Big 12 freshmen (13th in Big 12 overall), and second among Big 12 freshmen in three-point field goal percentage (37.9). In new coach Travis Ford’s up-tempo system, Anderson should thrive as a shooter. >> Read James Anderson's profile

Kenny Hasbrouck | 6’3”, 192 | senior, guard School: SIENA Claim to Fame: Hasbrouck was second on the team in scoring (16.1) and assists (2.2) last season while leading the MAAC in steals per game (2.26). The first team All-MAAC selection was also named the MAAC Tournament MVP. Outlook: Siena could be next season’s Davidson, with all five starters back from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. And Hasbrouck may be the best in the group, as evidenced by his 30 points in a 21-point win over Vanderbilt in the first round of NCAA Tournament. He then followed that up with 17 points against Villanova in a second-round loss. >> Read Kenny Hasbrouck's profile

Tyler Smith | 6’7”, 215 | senior, forward School: TENNESSEE Claim to Fame: Smith earned first team All-SEC honors last season, leading the Vols in rebounding (6.7), assists (3.4) and field goal percentage (.536). His 13.6 ppg was good for third on the team. Outlook: Arguably the most versatile player in the SEC last season, Smith—the Vols’ top returning scorer in 2008-09—was the only player in the conference to average at least 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. >> Read Tyler Smith's profile

Ramon Clemente | 6’6”, 221 | senior, forward School: WICHITA STATE Claim to Fame: Clemente was third in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (7.9 rpg) last season, and was the only member of the Shockers to shoot over 50 percent from the field (.503). Named to the MVC All-Newcomer team. Outlook: Although he wasn’t a big scorer last season (7.0 ppg), expect more from Clemente in 2008-09—especially with the Shockers having lost three of their top four scorers (P.J. Couisnard, Matt Braeuer and Phillip Thomasson) from last season. >> Read Ramon Clemente's profile

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Photos Courtesy AP