Gary Ervin - PG, 5-11, 175, Notre Dame Prep School in Massachusetts by way of Brooklyn's Paul Robeson High School in New York. A New York City Player of the Year selection his senior season after averaging 30 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds per game a year ago at Paul Robeson High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Brooklyn native earned 2001-02 New York City Player of the Year honors after leading coach Larry Major's Robeson Eagles to a second consecutive appearance in the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) championship game. During postseason tournament competition this past year, Ervin enjoyed scoring outings of 56 points against Carnarsie High School and 52 points versus Boys and Girls High School. Ranked as high as 30th nationally overall and third among all point guard prospects on ESPN.com's Top 100 list of the Class of 2003, Ervin earned several all-tournament and tournament MVP honors this past summer while starring for the prestigious Riverside Church squad on the national AAU circuit. As a junior, Ervin collected first-team all-city laurels after averaging 16 points, nine assists and nine rebounds per contest in pacing Robeson High School to its first of two straight berths in New York City's PSAL finals.
Dietric Slater - 2G, 6-3, 190, Wayne County (MS) HS. Slater averaged 30.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game in earning second-team all-state honors by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper this past season as a senior. A three-time all-district selection, Slater, a left-handed performer, scored 10 points in helping lead the Mississippi All-Stars to an 82-80 victory over Alabama in this year's Alabama/Mississippi High School All-Star Basketball Game. A 2002-03 preseason selection to The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen Basketball Team, Slater averaged 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.4 assists per contest to earn honorable mention all-state honors as a junior in 2001-02. Twice collecting Class 5A first-team all-state laurels from the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC), Slater previously helped lead Wayne County to 28 wins apiece during his junior and sophomore campaigns. He was also voted the team's most valuable offensive player both seasons.
FORWARDS (2)
Wojciech Barycz (Will not play for MSU due to signing a pro contract with a Euporean team) - 6-8, 245, Warsaw, Poland.
Travis Outlaw (Will not play at State after being selected in the first round of the NBA draft) - SF, 6-9, 210, Starkville (MS) HS. Rated among the top 15 prospects in the nation by most recruiting analysts, Travis, a preseason high school all-American, averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocked shots, six assists and two steals per game in earning consensus first-team all-state honors last year as a junior for the Starkville High Yellowjackets. As a prep sophomore, Outlaw averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks per outing as an all-state selection to help lead Starkville High School to a 27-6 record.