In This Section 42 Photo roster 43 2003-04 roster 44 Quick facts 45 2003-04 outlook 48 Personality chart
<13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions CHRIS ELLIS 0 So. / F / 6-9 / 265 JAMAAL LEVY 10 Jr. / F / 6-9 / 180 TRENT STRICKLAND 33 So. / G / 6-5 / 200 SKIP PROSSER Head Coach JUSTIN GRAY 1 So. / G / 6-2 / 185 VYTAS DANELIUS 13 Jr. / F / 6-9 / 228 TODD HENDLEY 34 Fr. / F / 6-9 / 213 JEFF BATTLE Associate Head Coach JEREMY INGRAM 2 Fr. / G / 6-3 / 185 ALAN WILLIAMS 20 Sr. / G / 6-3 / 177 KYLE VISSER 55 Fr. / C / 6-11 / 224 DINO GAUDIO Assistant Coach CHRIS PAUL 3 Fr. / G / 6-0 / 168 RICHARD JOYCE 23 So. / G-F / 6-5 / 200 CHRIS MACK Assistant Coach TARON DOWNEY 4 Jr. / G / 6-2 / 180 ERIC WILLIAMS 31 So. / C / 6-9 / 275 PAT KELSEY Director of Basketball Operations 42
Numerical No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Ppg. Rpg. Hometown Previous School 0 Chris Ellis* F 6-9 265 So. 2.8 2.5 Marietta, GA Marietta HS 1 Justin Gray* G 6-2 185 So. 12.7 3.6 Charlotte, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 2 Jeremy Ingram G 6-3 185 Fr. --- --- Kinston, NC Kinston HS 3 Chris Paul G 6-0 168 Fr. --- --- Lewisville, NC West Forsyth HS 4 Taron Downey** G 6-2 180 Jr. 10.2 3.5 Oxford, NC Fork Union {VA} Military Academy 10 Jamaal Levy** F 6-9 180 Jr. 7.2 6.8 Panama City, Panama Berkshire {FL} Academy 13 Vytas Danelius** F 6-9 228 Jr. 12.3 7.5 Kaunas, Lithuania Indianapolis {IN} Park Tudor 20 Alan Williams*** G 6-3 177 Sr. 2.2 0.4 Dallas, TX Briarcrest {TN} Christian 23 Richard Joyce* G-F 6-5 200 So. 1.8 0.6 Mount Airy, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 31 Eric Williams* C 6-9 275 So. 8.7 4.1 Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest-Rolesville HS 33 Trent Strickland* G 6-5 200 So. 4.3 1.9 East Flat Rock, NC Hargrave {VA} Academy 34 Todd Hendley F 6-9 213 Fr. --- --- Sanford, NC Lee County HS 55 Kyle Visser C 6-11 224 Fr. --- --- Grand Rapids, MI Forest Hills Central HS * letters won Alphabetical No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Ppg. Rpg. Hometown Previous School 13 Vytas Danelius** F 6-9 228 Jr. 12.3 7.5 Kaunas, Lithuania Indianapolis {IN} Park Tudor 4 Taron Downey** G 6-2 180 Jr. 10.2 3.5 Oxford, NC Fork Union {VA} Military Academy 0 Chris Ellis* F 6-9 265 So. 2.8 2.5 Marietta, GA Marietta HS 1 Justin Gray* G 6-2 185 So. 12.7 3.6 Charlotte, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 34 Todd Hendley F 6-9 213 Fr. --- --- Sanford, NC Lee County HS 2 Jeremy Ingram G 6-3 185 Fr. --- --- Kinston, NC Kinston HS 23 Richard Joyce* G-F 6-5 200 So. 1.8 0.6 Mount Airy, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 10 Jamaal Levy** F 6-9 180 Jr. 7.2 6.8 Panama City, Panama Berkshire {FL} Academy 3 Chris Paul G 6-0 168 Fr. --- --- Lewisville, NC West Forsyth HS 33 Trent Strickland* G 6-5 200 So. 4.3 1.9 East Flat Rock, NC Hargrave {VA} Academy 55 Kyle Visser C 6-11 224 Fr. --- --- Grand Rapids, MI Forest Hills Central HS 20 Alan Williams*** G 6-3 177 Sr. 2.2 0.4 Dallas, TX Briarcrest {TN} Christian 31 Eric Williams* C 6-9 275 So. 8.7 4.1 Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest-Rolesville HS * letters won Head Coach Skip Prosser Alma Mater (Year) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1972) Record/Years At Wake Forest 46-19 (.708) / 2 Record/Years Overall 211-97 (.685) / 10 Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle (Marshall 85) Assistant Coach Dino Gaudio (Ohio 81) Assistant Coach Chris Mack (Xavier 92) Director Of Basketball Operations Pat Kelsey (Xavier 98) Pronunciations Vytas Danelius vee-tus dan-a-loose Taron Downey tuh-ron Jamaal Levy ja-mall lev-e By Class Seniors (1) Alan Williams Juniors (3) Vytas Danelius Taron Downey Jamaal Levy Sophomores (5) Chris Ellis Justin Gray Richard Joyce Trent Strickland Eric Williams Freshmen (4) Todd Hendley Jeremy Ingram Chris Paul Kyle Visser By State/Country North Carolina (8) Taron Downey (Oxford) Justin Gray (Charlotte) Todd Hendley (Sanford) Jeremy Ingram (Kinston) Richard Joyce (Mount Airy) Chris Paul (Lewisville) Trent Strickland (East Flat Rock) Eric Williams (Wake Forest) Georgia (1) Chris Ellis (Marietta) Michigan (1) Kyle Visser (Grand Rapids) Texas (1) Alan Williams (Dallas) Lithuania (1) Vytas Danelius (Kaunas) Panama (1) Jamaal Levy (Panama City) By Height 6-11 Kyle Visser 6-9 Vytas Danelius 6-9 Chris Ellis 6-9 Todd Hendley 6-9 Jamaal Levy 6-9 Eric Williams 6-5 Richard Joyce 6-5 Trent Strickland 6-3 Jeremy Ingram 6-3 Alan Williams 6-2 Taron Downey 6-2 Justin Gray 6-0 Chris Paul <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions 43
<13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions 2003-04 Wake Forest Schedule N3 EA SPORTS (Ex.) 7:00 N8 ATHLETES in ACTION (Ex.) 7:00 N13 # vs. Memphis 7:00 N22 ELON 2:00 N29 ^at Yale 1:00 D2! INDIANA 7:00 D6 RICHMOND 4:00 D15 at SMU 8:05 D20 at North Carolina 4:00 D30 N. CAROLINA A&T 7:00 J3 NEW MEXICO 2:00 J6 BROWN 7:00 J10 CLEMSON Noon J13 at Texas 8:00 J17 at Duke 1:00 J20 GEORGIA TECH 9:00 J25 at Florida State 1:00 J29 MARYLAND 7:00 J31 VIRGINIA 2:30 F4 at NC State 9:00 F7 NORTH CAROLINA 1:00 F12 at Clemson 7:00 F15 CINCINNATI 1:30 F18 DUKE 9:00 F22 at Georgia Tech 8:00 F25 FLORIDA STATE 7:00 F28 at Maryland 1:00 M2 at Virginia 7:00 M6 NC STATE 1:30 M11-14 % ACC Tournament # Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (New York, NY) ^ Bridgeport, CT! ACC/Big 10 Challenge % Greensboro, NC All times Eastern The University Location Founded Nickname Conference Years In Conference Fight Song School Colors Enrollment President Faculty Athletic Representative Winston-Salem, NC 1834, Wake Forest, NC Demon Deacons Atlantic Coast Entering 51st "O Here's To Wake Forest" Old Gold and Black 3,950 undergraduate Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Dr. Richard Carmichael General Arena Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Capacity 14,665 Opened 1989-90 season Record In Facility 174-39 (.817) Athletic Director Ron Wellman Alma Mater (Year)/Years At WFU Bowling Green (1970)/12th Athletic Department Phone (336) 758-5616 Ticket Office Phone (888) 758-DEAC Press Row Phone (336) 727-2945 History Seasons Of Basketball Entering 98th First Season Of Basketball 1906 All-Time Record 1283-991 NCAA Tournament Appearances 18 Last Appearance 2003 (2nd round) Consecutive Appearances 3 NIT Appearances 5 Last Appearance 2000 (champions) Consecutive Postseason Appearances 13 ACC Championships 4 Most Recent 1996 ACC Regular Season Championships 4 Most Recent 2003 Basketball Staff Head Coach Skip Prosser Alma Mater (Year) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1972) Record/Years At Wake Forest 46-19 (.708) / 2 Record/Years Overall 211-97 (.685) / 10 NCAA Tournament Appearances 7 Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Marshall (1985) Assistant Coach Dino Gaudio Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Ohio (1981) Assistant Coach Chris Mack Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Xavier (1992) Director Of Basketball Operations Pat Kelsey Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Xavier (1998) Assistant AD/Sports Medicine Greg Collins Assistant Strength Coach/Basketball Matt Jennings Director Of Academic Counseling Jane Caldwell Assistant Equipment Manager/BKB Craig Zakrzewski Skip Prosser s Administrative Assistant Lynne Heflin Basketball Office Secretary Mary Ann Justus Basketball Office Phone (336) 758-5622 Best Time To Contact Coach Prosser Through SID Media Relations Assistant AD/Media Relations (Contact) Dean Buchan Office Phone (336) 758-5640 Office Fax (336) 758-5140 Buchan s Cell Phone (336) 287-8954 Buchan s E-Mail buchandw@wfu.edu Associate Director Joanna Sparkman Sparkman s Home Phone (336) 682-7342 Sparkman s E-Mail sparkmjj@wfu.edu Assistant Director Mike Vest Vest s Home Phone (336) 575-7161 Vest s E-Mail vestma@wfu.edu Assistant Director Michael Bertsch Bertsch s Home Phone (336) 407-6298 Bertsch s E-Mail bertscmr@wfu.edu Intern Jeremy Hoffman Hoffman s Home Phone 336-725-6837 Hoffman s E-Mail hoffmajm@wfu.edu Administrative Assistant Terri Nunn Nunn s E-Mail nunntc@wfu.edu Mailing Address PO Box 7426, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Shipping Address WFU; 203 Manchester Athletic Center; Wingate Road; Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Team Information 2002-03 Overall Record 25-6 Home/Away/Neutral 16-0/7-4/2-2 2002-03 ACC Record/Finish 13-3/1st Home/Away 8-0/5-3 Final Associated Press Poll Ranking 8th Final ESPN/USA Today Poll Ranking 12th Starters Returning/Lost 4/1 Letterwinners Returning/Lost 9/4 Newcomers 4 Media Information Radio Network ISP/Deacon Radio Network ISP Phone Number (336) 768-3400 Play-By-Play Announcer Stan Cotten Cotten s Phone Number (336) 758-4515 Cotten s E-Mail cottensa@wfu.edu Color Analyst Mark Freidinger Freidinger s Phone Number (336) 765-6647 Freidinger s E-Mail dingermark@peoplepc.com Athletic Department Website wakeforestsports.com Starters Returning (4) 13 Vytas Danelius 6-9 228 Jr. F 12.3 7.5 4 Taron Downey 6-2 180 Jr. G 10.2 3.5 31 Eric Williams 6-9 275 So. C 8.7 4.1 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 180 Jr. F 7.2 6.8 Starters Lost (1) 5 Josh Howard 6-6 203 Sr. F 19.5 8.3 Letterwinners Returning (9) 1 Justin Gray 6-2 185 So. G 12.7 3.6 13 Vytas Danelius 6-9 228 Jr. F 12.3 7.5 4 Taron Downey 6-2 180 Jr. G 10.2 3.5 31 Eric Williams 6-9 275 So. C 8.7 4.1 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 180 Jr. F 7.2 6.8 33 Trent Strickland 6-5 200 So. G 4.3 1.9 0 Chris Ellis 6-9 265 So. F 2.8 2.5 20 Alan Williams 6-3 177 Sr. G 2.2 0.4 23 Richard Joyce 6-5 200 So. G-F 1.8 0.6 Letterwinners Lost (4) 5 Josh Howard 6-6 203 Sr. F 19.5 8.3 33 Steve Lepore 6-5 202 Sr. G 2.6 1.4 53 Dshamal Schoetz 7-0 263 Jr. C 1.3 0.8 2 Scott Benken 6-7 215 So. F 1.0 1.5 Newcomers (4) 2 Jeremy Ingram 6-3 165 Fr. G --- --- 3 Chris Paul 6-0 168 Fr. G --- --- 34 Todd Hendley 6-9 213 Fr. F --- --- 55 Kyle Visser 6-11 224 Fr. C --- --- 44
Defending ACC Regular Season Champs Will Be Deeper, More Athletic, But Must Replace Josh Howard In 2003-04 After being projected to finish as low as seventh in the ACC last season, Wake Forest players wore T-shirts that read: TJDK. The acronym for They Just Don t Know became a battle cry for a team that proved the experts wrong and ultimately won the ACC regular season title by two full games -- the school s first outright crown in 41 years. So, what will those experts forecast for the Demon Deacons in 2003-04? Some will not risk underestimating a Skip Prosser-coached team. In just two seasons at Wake Forest, Prosser s teams have won 46 games overall and his 22 ACC wins are the second-most ever by a coach in his second year in the league. Four starters and five reserves return from a team that went 25-6 overall and 13-3 in the ACC a year ago. In addition, Prosser welcomes a four-man freshmen class that is considered among the best in the nation. Other experts, however, will be skeptical. After all, the one starter gone from last season was consensus first team All- American Josh Howard. Replacing Howard -- the theme of any preseason discussion of Wake Forest basketball -- is simply not an option for Prosser. We may find a substitute, Prosser said, but not a replacement. There may not have been a player more valuable to a team than Howard was to Wake Forest last season. He led the team (and the ACC) in scoring (19.5 points per game), rebounding (8.3 rpg.), three-point field goals (53), free throws (145), blocked shots (48) and steals (64). He carried a team which was unranked in the preseason polls to its first outright ACC regular season title in 41 years. Along the way, Howard was the first unanimous ACC Player of the Year since David Thompson in 1975 and Wake s first All-American since Tim Duncan. Without Howard, an NBA first-round draft pick, the Deacons will have a new look in 2003-04. And while Howard may be irreplaceable, Prosser is hopeful that nine returning letterwinners and four talented newcomers may compensate for his staggering statistics. Josh was vital to our success last season, Prosser said. However, we were not a one-man team. We have 12 players on scholarship. Also gone from last year s team is reserve guard Steve Lepore, who played a key role off the bench despite a lingering knee injury and served as a mentor to a roster full of young teammates. Seven-footer Dshamal Schoetz, who played sparingly after overcoming a serious knee injury, transferred to a Division III school at the conclusion of the season. Despite the losses, Prosser is confident his team can build on the success it has enjoyed the last two seasons. The 2003 ACC Coach of the Year, Prosser has guided Wake Forest to 46 wins in two seasons in Winston-Salem and his 22 league victories are the second-most ever by a coach in his first two seasons in the ACC. The 2003-04 Demon Deacons should be quicker, more athletic and deeper than last year s team that finished 25-6 and finished eighth in the Associated Press poll. But it will also be one of the youngest teams in college basketball. There are no senior leaders -- in fact, no scholarship seniors at all -- on the roster. The leadership role falls on the shoulders of three returning juniors -- Vytas Danelius, Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy -- who will be looked up to by five returning sophomores and four freshmen. In addition to being good players, Josh and Steve were veteran leaders of an otherwise young team, Prosser said. Taron, Jamaal and Vytas, among others, are going to have to step into that role. Last year s team became the first ACC squad ever to lead the nation in rebounding. Howard led the ACC in boards (8.3 rpg.) and was a bulldog on the offensive glass. Danelius (7.5 rpg.) and Levy (6.8 rpg.), however, give the Deacs a good foundation. Danelius and Levy are the top two returning rebounders in the ACC. This year s team should take a step closer to the fast and furious style that Prosser eventually wants his teams to play. With his third recruiting class in place, the roster is evolving in a way Prosser likes. "Would we like to play faster? Absolutely, Prosser said. I hope we can this season. We'll see when practice begins. Last year we had 11 scholarship guys, and of those guys you had three guys (Howard, Lepore and Schoetz) who weren't even able to start the year practicing (because of injuries). This year we'll have, ideally, 12 scholarship guys. "I'm hoping we can do that. I'm hoping that we can extend the floor a lot more. I think that's going to be the future of our team." And the future looks extremely bright. Back are four starters from last year s club -- not including sophomore Justin Gray, who started the first 10 games of the season as a rookie before breaking his jaw. Gray, who can play either guard position, is Wake s leading returning scorer (12.7 ppg.) and he was named to the ACC All-Freshmen Team last season. Gray, 6-2, sat out a solid month after breaking his jaw in the ACC opener at Duke. Despite the layoff -- and the loss of 19 Junior Taron Downey has 41 career starts to his credit. Deacon Numbers PERCENTAGES RETURNING Category 02-03 Return %Back Points 2412 1746 72.4% Rebounds 1210 914 75.5% Field Goals 805 583 72.4% Free Throws 611 451 73.8% 3-Pointers 191 129 67.5% Assists 441 367 83.2% Blocks 143 93 65.0% Steals 201 129 64.2% RETURNING LEADERS Scoring Justin Gray So. G 12.7 Rebounding Vytas Danelius Jr. F 7.5 Field Goals Vytas Danelius Jr. F 133 Free Throws Vytas Danelius Jr. F 98 3-Pointers Taron Downey Jr. G 50 Field Goal Percentage Eric Williams So. C 54.7% Free Throw Percentage Taron Downey Jr. G 86.1% 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Taron Downey Jr. G 34.0% Assists Taron Downey Jr. G 130 Blocked Shots Jamaal Levy Jr. F 30 Steals Jamaal Levy Jr. F 29 RETURNING ACC LEADERS Free Throw Percentage J.J. Redick, So. (Duke) 91.9% Tim Pickett, Sr. (FSU) 86.5% TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 86.1% Daniel Ewing, Jr. (Duke) 82.1% Rebounds VYTAS DANELIUS, Jr. (WF) 7.5 JAMAAL LEVY, Jr. (WF) 6.8 Sharrod Ford, Jr. (CU) 6.8 Ed Nelson, Jr. (GT) 6.5 Assists Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 6.74 Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 6.42 Jarrett Jack, So. (GT) 5.97 TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 4.19 Assist/Turnover Ratio Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 2.16 Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 1.82 Jarrett Jack, So. (GT) 1.75 TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 1.62 Minutes Per Game Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 36.0 Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 35.4 Julius Hodge, Jr. (NCS) 35.3 TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 34.4 <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions 45
<13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions Deacon Notebook 13 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON APPEARANCES 2003 NCAA 2nd round 2002 NCAA 2nd round 2001 NCAA 1st round 2000 NIT Champions 1999 NIT 2nd round 1998 NIT 2nd round 1997 NCAA 2nd round 1996 NCAA Final Eight 1995 NCAA Final 16 1994 NCAA 2nd round 1993 NCAA Final 16 1992 NCAA 1st round 1991 NCAA 2nd round WAKE FOREST S ACC REGULAR SEASON CROWNS Year W-L Tied With 1960 12-2 UNC 1962 12-2 none 1995 12-4 UNC, MD, VA 2003 13-3 none LONGEST CURRENT HOME- COURT WINNING STREAKS Western Kentucky 39 Duke 28 Southern Illinois 27 Pittsburgh 22 Butler 18 Weber State 18 Wake Forest 17 Creighton 17 Illinois 17 Syracuse 17 Austin Peay 15 Sam Houston State 15 Texas 15 Wisconsin-Milwaukee 15 pounds -- Gray returned stronger than ever. Gray is an eternally confident player who brings a needed swagger to the Deacon lineup. Gray joins Downey (10.2 ppg., 4.2 apg.) in giving Wake Forest one of the most talented -- and quickest -- one-two backcourt punches in college basketball. And while Downey handled most of the point guard duties last season, Gray and Downey give the Deacs versatility because both are comfortable at either position. Downey, 6-2, might be one of the most underrated players in the ACC. He ranked third last season in the ACC in free throw percentage (.861), sixth in assist-turnover ratio and seventh in assists. Equally important, Downey emerged as a vocal leader for the Deacons even though he was a sophomore. Danelius (12.3 ppg., 7.5 rpg.), a 6-9 junior forward, was a second team All-ACC selection last season and he s the league s leading returning rebounder. The Lithuanian started 30 of 31 games and played nearly 31 minutes per contest. A powerful player in the paint, Danelius has added the threepoint shot to his arsenal. Levy (7.2 ppg., 6.8 rpg.), a 6-9 junior, moved into the starting lineup in early January last season and never lost his starting job. Levy, Wake s returning leader in blocked shots (30) and steals (29), was one of the ACC s most improved players. Sophomore Eric Williams (8.7 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) started from Day One, providing the Deacons with much-needed muscle in the middle. Williams shot a team-best 54.7 percent and at times, the 6-9, 275-pounder was dominating. Foul trouble (he fouled out five times last season) and a lack of consistency kept his minutes to just over 20 per game. Williams foul trouble last season paved the way for rising sophomore Chris Ellis (2.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg.) to see valuable minutes. Ellis, who played in all 31 games, was key to Wake s success last season. Sophomore Trent Strickland (4.3 ppg., 1.9 rpg.) learned a great deal last season playing behind Howard. An outstanding athlete, Strickland is one of the ACC s better defenders and he has potential to excel in Wake s fullcourt attack. Sophomore Richard Joyce (1.8 ppg.) showed potential last season. Also a good athlete, Joyce can shoot from the perimeter. The four-man freshman class filled much of Wake Forest s needs. The Deacons signed point guard Chris Paul (Winston- Salem, NC), wing man Jeremy Ingram (Kinston, NC), forward Todd Hendley (Sanford, NC) and post player Kyle Visser (Grand Rapids, MI). Paul, 6-0, is the most heralded of the newcomers. A local product, Paul played in the McDonald s High School All- 2003-04 By The Numbers coach -- Bill Guthridge -- won more league games in 1 his first two years in the ACC than Skip Prosser. McDonald s High School All-Americans -- Eric Williams and Chris Paul -- are on the WFU roster. 2 4 8 8 13 17 18 75 361 wins without a loss is Wake Forest s record in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. active Division I coaches, including Prosser, won 200 career games in less than 300 games coached. players on the Deacon roster hail from the state of North Carolina. consecutive seasons Wake Forest has earned a postseason berth -- the longest streak in the ACC. consecutive homecourt victories for the Deacons, who last lost at home on Feb. 21, 2002. NCAA Tournament appearances by WFU, including an appearance in the inaugural 1939 event. percent of all Wake Forest student-athletes do volunteer work in the community. consecutive games Wake Forest has made at least one three-point field goal. Junior Vytas Danelius, the ACC s leading returning rebounder (7.5 rpg.), was a second team All-ACC selection in 2003. American Game. He joins Downey and Gray to give Wake Forest three lightning-quick guards, all of whom can play either guard position. Ingram, 6-3, was also a heavily-recruited prospect. An exceptional athlete, Ingram should compete immediately for playing time on the wing. Hendley, 6-9, raised his stock significantly in the summer of 2002, getting notice from some of the nation s top programs. By that time, however, Hendley had been courted heavily by the Deacons and signed on with Prosser. Visser, 6-11, enjoyed an outstanding prep career in Michigan. With his height and agility, the Deacon coaching staff feel he has great potential for the future. "There aren't many better athletes in my opinion, than Jeremy Ingram," Prosser said. "Chris Paul is a good athlete. Todd Hendley can really run the floor. And Kyle Visser, for a kid who is 6-11, can really run the floor. But they will still be freshmen competing in the ACC. Freshmen have been known to make immediate impacts for Prosser-coached teams. The Deacons began last season with two freshmen in the starting lineup and in the previous season, Downey emerged as a starter in his rookie campaign. "I think on the perimeter we should be more athletic. Taron will have to improve, as will Jamaal. But I think we can have the components of a really athletic, quick team. And like I've said many times, I think quickness trumps just about everything else in basketball. Center Sophomore Eric Williams and his 6-9, 275-pound frame returns in the post. Williams, clearly one of the strongest players in the ACC, was dominating at times in his rookie season. He shot a team-best 54.7 percent, scored in double figures 13 times and had a pair of double-doubles. Williams needs to be better on two fronts as a sophomore. 46
He needs to stay out of foul trouble and he needs to become more consistent. After scoring in double figures in 10 of his first 12 collegiate games, he reached double digits just three times in the final 19 games of the season. Sophomore Chris Ellis, 6-9, was a pleasant surprise last season. While his numbers were modest (2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game), he was rarely a liability on either end of the floor. At a combined weight of 540 pounds, Ellis and Williams give Wake two bruising bullies in the paint. Freshman Kyle Visser, 6-11, runs the floor well for a player his size. He averaged 16.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season at Forest Hills Central High School. Power Forward Junior Vytas Danelius played his rookie season behind Darius Songaila and he played last year in the shadows of Howard. Now that both of those players are in the NBA, this could be the year that Danelius emerges as one of the ACC s best frontcourt players. Danelius (12.7 ppg.) is Wake s leading returning scorer and he was named second team All-ACC last season. Ellis and junior Jamaal Levy could slide into this position if needed and freshman Todd Hendley, 6-9, will compete for minutes. Small Forward Levy, with his lanky 6-9, 180-pound frame, returns after making great strides last season. Levy s main duties are defending, blocking shots and rebounding (he is WFU s returning leader in blocks and steals), but he can score as well. He scored in double figures 10 times including a career-high 15 points in a home win over nationally-ranked Duke. At least three others players will compete with Levy for playing time. Sophomore Trent Strickland (4.3 ppg., 1.9 rpg.) was a key reserve last season, often subbing for Howard. Very athletic, Strickland, 6-5, is an outstanding perimeter defender. Sophomore Richard Joyce, 6-5, is a good athlete who saw limited playing time as a rookie. Freshman Jeremy Ingram, 6-3, is athletic enough to play the No. 3 position in a small Deacon lineup. SLAM MAGAZINE 1 Connecticut 2 Michigan State 3 Duke 4 Syracuse 5 Kansas 6 Arizona 7 North Carolina 8 Missouri 9 Gonzaga 10 Texas 11 Illinois 12 Florida 13 Kentucky 14 St. Joseph s 15 Oklahoma 16 Pittsburgh 17 NC State 18 Wisconsin 19 Notre Dame 20 Louisville 21 Ohio State 22 Wake Forest 23 Marquette 24 Stanford 25 Utah BLUE RIBBON 1 Connecticut 2 Duke 3 Michigan State 4 Florida 5 Missouri 6 Texas 7 Gonzaga 8 Kansas 9 Arizona 10 Illinois 11 Syracuse 12 North Carolina 13 Kentucky 14 Oklahoma 15 St. Joseph s 16 Stanford 17 Notre Dame 18 Wake Forest 19 Marquette 20 Pittsburgh 21 LSU 22 Louisville 23 Maryland 24 Wisconsin 25 California The Preseason Polls LINDY S 1 Connecticut 2 Duke 3 Missouri 4 Michigan State 5 Wisconsin 6 Syracuse 7 Kansas 8 Arizona 9 North Carolina 10 Stanford 11 Gonzaga 12 Pittsburgh 13 Illinois 14 Texas 15 Florida 16 Oklahoma 17 Kentucky 18 St. Joseph s 19 Wake Forest 20 Notre Dame 21 Marquette 22 Maryland 23 Louisville 24 Seton Hall 25 Oklahoma State Guard Coach Skip Prosser faces a pleasant dilemma. He has three exceptionally talented, quick guards who can play either guard position. All three can score as well as distribute the ball. Don t be surprised to see all three -- junior Taron Downey, sophom o r e Justin Gray and freshman Chris Paul -- in the lineup at the same time. Downey, 6-2, has started most of the past two seasons at point guard, where the southpaw has developed into one of the ACC s best quarterbacks. Downey (10.2 ppg., 4.1 apg., 50 three-point field goals), who may be the vocal leader of this year s team, possesses a smooth stroke from three-point range and he has improved in taking care of the basketball (he ranked sixth in 2003 in the ACC in assist-turnover ratio). Gray, 6-2, is an enthusiastic leader despite his sophomore status. Gray (12.7 ppg.) spent most of his time last season at the two-guard after playing the point the previous year at Oak Hill Academy. Gray finished up his rookie season on a strong note, scoring 26 points in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Auburn. Paul, 6-0, was arguably the nation s best high school point guard a year ago. The McDonald s, Parade and USA Today High School All-American is Wake s most heralded recruit in years. The lightning-quick Paul will compete right away for playing time, perhaps even a starting job. Ingram, Strickland and Joyce are also candidates to play the big guard spot. STREET & SMITH S 1 Connecticut 2 Michigan State 3 Duke 4 Kentucky 5 Arizona 6 Kansas 7 Missouri 8 Florida 9 North Carolina 10 Gonzaga 11 Texas 12 Oklahoma 13 Syracuse 14 Illinois 15 Wisconsin 16 Cincinnati 17 Louisville 18 Notre Dame 19 St. Joseph s 20 Wake Forest 21 Stanford 22 Auburn 23 Oklahoma State 24 Oregon 25 Colorado Junior Jamaal Levy was one of the ACC s most improved players last season, nearly tripling his individual statistics. ACC PREDICTIONS S&S Ath Lin Clemson 9 9 9 Duke 1 1 1 Florida St. 6 6 6 Ga. Tech 8 7 7 Maryland 4 3 4 N. Carolina 2 2 2 NC State 5 4 5 Virginia 7 8 8 W. Forest 3 5 3 S&S - Street & Smith s Ath - Athlon Lin - Lindy s The Preseason Hoopla TEAM > Lindy s -- predicts Wake Forest to finish third in the ACC > Street & Smith s -- predicts the Deacons to finish third in the ACC > Athlon -- predicts Wake Forest to finish fifth in the ACC > Street & Smith s -- calls coach Skip Prosser the ACC s best strategist VYTAS DANELIUS, Jr., F > Lindy s -- ranked as the fifthbest power forward in college basketball > Lindy s -- preseason first team All-ACC > Street & Smith s -- preseason first team All-ACC > Athlon -- calls him the nation s 8th-best inside-out player > Athlon -- a preseason third team All-ACC selection > Street & Smith s -- called the ACC s best shot-blocker TARON DOWNEY, Jr., G > Street & Smith s -- called the best under pressure in the ACC CHRIS PAUL, Fr., G > Lindy s -- one of nation s top 10 freshmen > Lindy s -- calls Paul the best playmaker/passer freshman in the ACC > Athlon -- ranked as the 26thbest freshman in the nation > Street & Smith s -- called one of the two best freshmen in the ACC > Street & Smith s -- ranked as one of the south s top freshmen. JEREMY INGRAM, Fr., G > Athlon -- ranked as the 77thbest freshman in the nation > Street & Smith s -- ranked as one of the south s top freshmen. UNDER THE RADAR Getting barely a mention from the preseason publications is Justin Gray. The sophomore guard is Wake Forest s leading returning scorer (12.7 ppg.). <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions 47
<13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <2003> ACC Regular Season Champions NAME JERSEY NUMBER Chris Ellis Mom s 0 Justin Gray 1 Jeremy Ingram Chicken 2 Chris Paul 3 Taron Downey BBQ 4 Jamaal Levy FOOD MUSICAL ARTIST SPORTS MOVIE Above The Rim Jack Daniels Chicken & Shrimp Jay-Z He Got Game 50 Cent Love and Basketball Beans and weenies and tuna 10 Lasagna Vytas Wings Danelius 13 Alan Memphis Williams 20 BBQ Richard Joyce 23 Eric Williams 31 Trent Strickland 33 TV SHOW Spongebob Square Pants Making The Band with P Diddy BOOK The Bible TV SPORTS BROAD- CASTER Stuart Scott & Stan Cotten Comicview The Bible Harry Carey Jay-Z Rebound Martin To Kill A Mockingbird Ribs R. Kelly Love and Basketball Buju Banton, Jay-Z, Sizzla Love and Basketball Jamiroquai Hoosiers Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, asparagus Noodles and crab legs My mother s cooking Todd Strawberries Hendley 34 & biscuits Kyle Visser 55 Mashed potatoes Garth Brooks Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffett Hoosiers Remember The Titans; Varsity Blues R. Kelly Shaolin Soccer T.I. Love and Basketball Martin The Bible & Green Eggs and Ham Dick Vitale Stuart Scott & Dick Vitale NBA Action The Bible Charles Barkley The Man Show; Saturday Night Live Sports Center & Golf Central Seinfeld Family Guy BET Jewel Kingpin Simpsons Dave Matthews Hoosiers Sports Center Forest Of Gods The Bible Lord Of The Rings My Grandma s photo album Lord of the Rings -- Trilogy Harry Potter Harry Carey Jimmy Dykes on ESPN s Big Monday HOBBIES Sleeping, cleaning, cooking, fishing, golfing Shopping, chilling outside, video games Fishing, shopping & sleeping Basketball, football, girls, talking on phone, hanging out TEAM I D LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO SCHEDULE Hawaii The Lakers -- on the road Florida Jumping so high I hit my head on the backboard Hurting one of my teammates because I m just so BIG USC- Spartanburg MAGAZINE COVER I D LIKE TO BE ON ESPN The Magazine Source GQ Chillin Florida Sports Illustrated Chillin, listening to music, more chillin Listening to music Flyfishing & golf The Panama National Team SLAM MY BIGGEST FEAR Not meeting God Don t have one Failing Not being able to play basketball Florida Sky Mall Heights UCLA Stan Cotten Golfing San Diego State Don t know Brad Daugherty Stuart Scott Bill Walton The Lakers -- to try my luck against Shaq Montana Outdoors GQ; Men s Health New Type (Japanese Anime) Fishing Hawaii ESPN The Magazine Drawing, standing in the rain, skateboarding Snowboarding, golf, playing Rummy w/ Mom, sister Hanging out with friends, fishing Delaware Michigan State Field & Stream Time - Man of the Year Roller coasters & reptiles Heights Clowns My mother Breaking Taron s ankles when we play 1-on-1 Failing 48