By Wayne Simone

In what is generally regarded as the top junior college basketball league in the nation, this year's group of players in the Jayhawks is as strong as usual. In a league that has put hundreds of players at the top level of collegiate basketball, and players like Harvey Grant, Isiah Rider and Armon Gilliam in the NBA, it isn't unusual to have 20-25 bonafide big timers in a year. This year is no different. The following is one man's opinion of the Top 13 Sophomores in the league. This list is a combination of how the players are playing this year, and how they figure to project at the next level.

Roy Boone, 6-3, So, 2G, Coffeyville C.C. - One of the top off guards in all of junior college basketball, Boone signed with Wisconsin in the early signing period. Can also play the point guard slot, but Roy is better suited at the off guard slot where he can score from all over the court. If you don't get out and guard him he'll knock down the three, while if you do step out he'll go by you and head to the rim. Boone is also a good athlete and a decent defender. Currently averaging 16.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3 steals/game, 47% 3Pt, 75% FT on a 12-5 team.

Tony Brown, 6-3, So, 2G, Seward C.C. - Runner up to Tony Jackson for Freshman of the Year in the Jayhawk West last season. Averaged 14 points as a frosh on a team that finished 35-3 and third in the nation. Plays both of the wing positions, but is more capable at the off guard slot. Shoots the three well and also is nearly a 80% free throw shooter. Brown is a good athlete who also defends. Iowa State, Cal-Santa Barbara, Centenary and Sam Houston State are the leaders for Brown's services at this point. So far on the year Brown is scoring 18.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 79% FT on a 13-3 team.

Anthony Evans, 6-7, So, F, Neosho C.C. - Great athlete who has been a big part of Neosho's early season success in the league. Has terrific hands and runs the floor extremely well. He's a true power forward, but he can face the basket and shoot out to about 15 feet. Many schools involved, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kansas State, Mississippi, Memphis, UMass, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Baylor and Xavier. This year Evans is scoring 22.7 ppg, pulling down 8.8 rpg, 71% FG on a 13-5 team.

Tyrone Evans, 6-7, So, SF, Garden City C.C. - Strong insider who is one of the Jayhawks best rebounders. Good athlete for size, Evans is strong and understands his limits. Great competitor who plays hard every time out. Not yet developed facing the basket, but back-to-the-basket Evans is a big time player. His top four schools at this point are Wyoming, Georgia, Texas Christian and Nebraska. Currently scoring 13.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 50% FG on a 13-5 team.

Tony Jackson, 6-5, So, 1/2G, Butler C.C. - Last year's freshman Player of the Year in the Jayhawk West is in the midst of his sophomore encore, and has Butler off to an 15-4 start. The strength of Jackson's game is his outside shot, but he can also score going to the hole. He's very athletic, defends and most importantly is a terrific competitor. Will narrow his schools in the near future, but right now every one of the elite conferences in the country has at least one team recruiting this talented combo guard. Let's call UConn, Louisville and Alabama three of the favorites. On the year, Jackson's stats are 16 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 46% FG, 36% 3 PT, 80 FT on a 15-4 squad.

DeMarcus Minor, 6-5, So, PG, Barton C.C. - Big lead guard who can also move out on the wing because of his good size. Consistent scorer from both inside and out. Minor is a good athletic guard who plays very physical and strong. Has a decent handle and a good feel for the game. Schools involved include Minnesota, Texas, South Florida, USC, New Mexico and Providence. Scoring 13.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 48% FG, 82% FT on a 20-0 team.

Marcel O'Neal, 6-1, So, 1/2G, Highland C.C. - Well rounded combination guard that can score in an assortment of ways. Shoots the three and can score going to the hole. Effective ball handler with either hand. Very strong, physical guard, who is very strong defensively. He's been assigned to cover guards and as well as forwards and has been successful doing it. Schools involved include Clemson, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois State and Illinois-Chicago. On the season O'Neal averages 14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 49% FG on a 7-12 team.

Alex Radojevic, 7-3, So, C, Barton C.C. (Ohio State) - Ohio State signee has as much upside as any juco kid in the country. He runs well for big kid and has improved tremendously since last season. Has great hands and is a good rebounder. This Yugoslavian import also shoots the ball well out to about 15 feet, and he scores well on the blocks. Currently averaging nearly 5 blocks a game. Alex should be a future first round NBA draft pick. Scoring 14.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.2 blocks, 61% FG for a 20-0 team.

Kevin Robinson, 6-9, So, PF/C, Butler C.C. - Talented insider signed with Arkansas in the early signing period. Robinson can play on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he's a gifted scorer who can shoot the ball out to three point territory, while defensively he's a big time shotblocker and rebounder. Has been hampered by an injury so he only played in half of the first dozen games for a strong Butler team. Because of his injuries Robinson is only averaging 7.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 49% FG on a 15-4 team.

Lamont Roland, 6-4, So, 2G, Barton C.C. - One of the top recruiting prizes in all of junior college basketball, Lamont is a big time scorer. He can score at any spot on the floor, including out to three point territory. Also can create his shot off the dribble. Earlier in the season, Roland had back-to-back 42 point efforts. Has a good feel of the game. UNLV, Texas A&M, TCU, Iowa State, Providence, Ball State and Wyoming are among the many schools involved. Scoring at 26.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg on a 20-0 team.

David Shelton, 6-5, So, F, Independence C.C. - Last years freshman Player of the Year in the Jayhawk East. Plays either of the forward slots. Very strong insider with great hands. He's a true warrior on the boards. Can also face the basket and shoot the three. Usually Shelton is matched up against a power forward, and he's had a lot of success taking bigger guys out on the perimeter and then going by the defender. Plays both ends of the floor with equal intensity. Among the many school recruiting Shelton are Oklahoma, Iowa State, UAB, Northern Iowa, Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico and Tulsa. Numbers for the year are 21.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2 steals/game, 50% FG, 40% 3 Point, 79% FT on a team that is 11-6.

LaVerne Smith, 6-3, So, 2G, Hutchinson C.C. - One of two 'Hutch' players in this list, Smith is one of the better wings in the Jayhawk. LaVerne shoots the ball well and can score it in a number of ways. Has played some at the small forward slot, but he's better suited for the off guard spot. Hard-nosed player who rebounds well for a wing and also plays good defense. You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder worker. Schools in Smith's list include TCU, South Florida, Southwest Missouri, Texas A&M and NC-Wilmington. Scoring 13.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 82% FT on a 17-3 team.

Lewis Wren, 6-1, So, 2G, Hutchinson C.C. - One of the more talented scorers in the league, Wrenn has tremendous three point range, hitting more than 50% of his attempts on the year. Has really improved his handling skills and Wrenn could play either of the guard spots but will probably be a scoring lead guard at the next level. His coach calls Wrenn the team's top defender. This playmaker is being recruited by TCU, Miami (Fla.), St. Louis, Minnesota and South Florida. Scoring 18.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 52% FG, 52% 3 Point on a 17-3 team.

Wayne Simone writes from Connecticut where he is publisher of High School Hoops, Connecticut's Only High School Basketball Periodical. He is nationally respected as a successful AAU coach, having coached many Junior College players that have gone on to Division I Basketball as well as such NBA players as Marcus Camby, Travis Best, John Wallace and Bill Curley.