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In This Section 42 Photo roster 43 2003-04 roster 44 Quick facts 45 2003-04 outlook 48 Personality chart <2003> ACC Season Champions Regular

CHRIS ELLIS JUSTIN GRAY JEREMY INGRAM TARON DOWNEY 0 So. / F / 6-9 / 265 1 So. / G / 6-2 / 185 2 Fr. / G / 6-3 / 185 3 Fr. / G / 6-0 / 168 4 Jr. / G / 6-2 / 180

JAMAAL LEVY VYTAS DANELIUS ALAN WILLIAMS RICHARD JOYCE ERIC WILLIAMS 10 Jr. / F / 6-9 / 180 13 Jr. / F / 6-9 / 228 20 Sr. / G / 6-3 / 177 23 So. / G-F / 6-5 / 200 31 So. / C / 6-9 / 275

TRENT STRICKLAND TODD HENDLEY KYLE VISSER 33 So. / G / 6-5 / 200 34 Fr. / F / 6-9 / 213 55 Fr. / C / 6-11 / 224

SKIP PROSSER JEFF BATTLE DINO GAUDIO CHRIS MACK PAT KELSEY Head Coach Associate Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Director of Operations <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <13> Consecutive Postseason 42 <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances

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 Richard Joyce Richard Joyce (Mount Airy) By Height Vytas Danelius vee-tus dan-a-loose Trent Strickland Chris Paul (Lewisville) 6-11 Kyle Visser Regular Season Champions <2003> ACC Taron Downey tuh-ron Eric Williams Trent Strickland (East Flat Rock) 6-9 Vytas Danelius Jamaal Levy ja-mall lev-E Freshmen (4) Eric Williams (Wake Forest) 6-9 Chris Ellis Todd Hendley Georgia (1) 6-9 Todd Hendley By Class Jeremy Ingram Chris Ellis (Marietta) 6-9 Jamaal Levy Seniors (1) Chris Paul Michigan (1) 6-9 Eric Williams Alan Williams Kyle Visser Kyle Visser (Grand Rapids) 6-5 Richard Joyce Juniors (3) Texas (1) 6-5 Trent Strickland Vytas Danelius By State/Country Alan Williams (Dallas) 6-3 Jeremy Ingram Taron Downey (8) Lithuania (1) 6-3 Alan Williams Jamaal Levy Taron Downey (Oxford) Vytas Danelius (Kaunas) 6-2 Taron Downey Sophomores (5) Justin Gray (Charlotte) Panama (1) 6-2 Justin Gray Chris Ellis Todd Hendley (Sanford) Jamaal Levy (Panama City) 6-0 Chris Paul Justin Gray Jeremy Ingram (Kinston)

43 The University Vest’s E-Mail [email protected] Location Winston-Salem, NC Assistant Director Michael Bertsch 2003-04 Founded 1834, Wake Forest, NC Bertsch’s Home Phone (336) 407-6298 Wake Forest Nickname Demon Deacons Bertsch’s E-Mail [email protected] Conference Atlantic Coast Intern Jeremy Hoffman Schedule Years In Conference Entering 51st Hoffman’s Home Phone 336-725-6837 <2003> ACC Season Champions Regular Fight Song "O Here's To Wake Forest" Hoffman’s E-Mail [email protected] School Colors Old Gold and Black Administrative Assistant Terri Nunn N3 EA SPORTS (Ex.) 7:00 Enrollment 3,950 undergraduate Nunn’s E-Mail [email protected] N8 ATHLETES in ACTION (Ex.) 7:00 President Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Mailing Address PO Box 7426, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Richard Carmichael Shipping Address WFU; 203 Manchester Athletic Center; N13 # vs. Memphis 7:00 Wingate Road; Winston-Salem, NC 27109 N22 ELON 2:00 General Arena Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Team Information N29 ^at Yale 1:00 Capacity 14,665 2002-03 Overall Record 25-6 D2 ! INDIANA 7:00 Opened 1989-90 season Home/Away/Neutral 16-0/7-4/2-2 Record In Facility 174-39 (.817) 2002-03 ACC Record/Finish 13-3/1st D6 RICHMOND 4:00 Athletic Director Ron Wellman Home/Away 8-0/5-3 D15 at SMU 8:05 Alma Mater (Year)/Years At WFU Bowling Green (1970)/12th Final Associated Press Poll Ranking 8th D20 at North Carolina 4:00 Athletic Department Phone (336) 758-5616 Final ESPN/USA Today Poll Ranking 12th Ticket Office Phone (888) 758-DEAC Starters Returning/Lost 4/1 D30 N. CAROLINA A&T 7:00 Press Row Phone (336) 727-2945 Letterwinners Returning/Lost 9/4 J3 NEW MEXICO 2:00 Newcomers 4 History J6 BROWN 7:00 Seasons Of Basketball Entering 98th Media Information J10 CLEMSON Noon First Season Of Basketball 1906 Radio Network ISP/Deacon Radio Network All-Time Record 1283-991 ISP Phone Number (336) 768-3400 J13 at Texas 8:00 NCAA Tournament Appearances 18 Play-By-Play Announcer Stan Cotten J17 at Duke 1:00 Last Appearance 2003 (2nd round) Cotten’s Phone Number (336) 758-4515 J20 GEORGIA TECH 9:00 Consecutive Appearances 3 Cotten’s E-Mail [email protected] NIT Appearances 5 Color Analyst Mark Freidinger J25 at Florida State 1:00 Last Appearance 2000 (champions) Freidinger’s Phone Number (336) 765-6647 J29 MARYLAND 7:00 Consecutive Postseason Appearances 13 Freidinger’s E-Mail [email protected] ACC Championships 4 Athletic Department Website wakeforestsports.com J31 VIRGINIA 2:30 Most Recent 1996 F4 at NC State 9:00 ACC Regular Season Championships 4 Starters Returning (4) Most Recent 2003 No. Player Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg F7 NORTH CAROLINA 1:00 13 Vytas Danelius 6-9 228 Jr. F 12.3 7.5 F12 at Clemson 7:00 Basketball Staff 4 Taron Downey 6-2 180 Jr. G 10.2 3.5 F15 CINCINNATI 1:30 Head Coach Skip Prosser 31 Eric Williams 6-9 275 So. C 8.7 4.1 Alma Mater (Year) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1972) 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 180 Jr. F 7.2 6.8 F18 DUKE 9:00 Record/Years At Wake Forest 46-19 (.708) / 2 F22 at Georgia Tech 8:00 Record/Years Overall 211-97 (.685) / 10 Starters Lost (1) NCAA Tournament Appearances 7 No. Player Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg F25 FLORIDA STATE 7:00 Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle 5 Josh Howard 6-6 203 Sr. F 19.5 8.3 F28 at Maryland 1:00 Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Marshall (1985) Assistant Coach Dino Gaudio Letterwinners Returning (9) M2 at Virginia 7:00 Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Ohio (1981) No. Player Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg M6 NC STATE 1:30 Assistant Coach Chris Mack 1 Justin Gray 6-2 185 So. G 12.7 3.6 M11-14 % ACC Tournament Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Xavier (1992) 13 Vytas Danelius 6-9 228 Jr. F 12.3 7.5 Director Of Basketball Operations Pat Kelsey 4 Taron Downey 6-2 180 Jr. G 10.2 3.5 # Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 2 / Xavier (1998) 31 Eric Williams 6-9 275 So. C 8.7 4.1 (New York, NY) Assistant AD/Sports Medicine Greg Collins 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 180 Jr. F 7.2 6.8 Assistant Strength Coach/Basketball Matt Jennings 33 Trent Strickland 6-5 200 So. G 4.3 1.9 ^ Bridgeport, CT Director Of Academic Counseling Jane Caldwell 0 Chris Ellis 6-9 265 So. F 2.8 2.5 ! ACC/Big 10 Challenge Assistant Equipment Manager/BKB Craig Zakrzewski 20 Alan Williams 6-3 177 Sr. G 2.2 0.4 % Greensboro, NC Skip Prosser’s Administrative Assistant Lynne Heflin 23 Richard Joyce 6-5 200 So. G-F 1.8 0.6 All times Eastern Basketball Office Secretary Mary Ann Justus Basketball Office Phone (336) 758-5622 Letterwinners Lost (4) Best Time To Contact Coach Prosser Through SID No. Player Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg 5 Josh Howard 6-6 203 Sr. F 19.5 8.3 Media Relations 33 Steve Lepore 6-5 202 Sr. G 2.6 1.4 Assistant AD/Media Relations (Contact) Dean Buchan 53 Dshamal Schoetz 7-0 263 Jr. C 1.3 0.8 Office Phone (336) 758-5640 2 Scott Benken 6-7 215 So. F 1.0 1.5 Office Fax (336) 758-5140 Buchan’s Cell Phone (336) 287-8954 Newcomers (4) Buchan’s E-Mail [email protected] No. Player Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg Associate Director Joanna Sparkman 2 Jeremy Ingram 6-3 165 Fr. G ------Sparkman’s Home Phone (336) 682-7342 3 Chris Paul 6-0 168 Fr. G ------Sparkman’s E-Mail [email protected] 34 Todd Hendley 6-9 213 Fr. F ------Assistant Director Mike Vest 55 Kyle Visser 6-11 224 Fr. C ------Vest’s Home Phone (336) 575-7161 <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <13> Consecutive Postseason 44 <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances

Defending ACC Regular Season Champs juniors -- Vytas Danelius, Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy -- who will be looked up to by five returning sophomores and Will Be Deeper, More Athletic, But Must four freshmen. Replace Josh Howard In 2003-04 “In addition to being good players, Josh and Steve were vet- Deacon eran leaders of an otherwise young team,” Prosser said. Numbers After being projected to finish as low as seventh in the ACC “Taron, Jamaal and Vytas, among others, are going to have to last season, Wake Forest players wore T-shirts that read: TJDK. step into that role.” PERCENTAGES RETURNING The acronym for “They Just Don’t Know” became a battle cry Last year’s team became the first ACC squad ever to lead Category 02-03 Return %Back for a team that proved the experts wrong and ultimately won the nation in rebounding. Howard led the ACC in boards (8.3 rpg.) and was a bulldog on the offensive glass. Danelius (7.5 Points 2412 1746 72.4% the ACC regular season title by two full games -- the school’s Rebounds 1210 914 75.5% first outright crown in 41 years. rpg.) and Levy (6.8 rpg.), however, give the Deacs a good foundation. Danelius and Levy are the top two returning Field Goals 805 583 72.4% So, what will those ‘experts’ forecast for the Demon Free Throws 611 451 73.8% rebounders in the ACC. Deacons in 2003-04? Some will not risk underestimating a 3-Pointers 191 129 67.5% Skip Prosser-coached team. In just two seasons at Wake This year’s team should take a step closer to the fast and Assists 441 367 83.2% Forest, Prosser’s teams have won 46 games overall and his 22 furious style that Prosser eventually wants his teams to play. Blocks 143 93 65.0% ACC wins are the second-most ever by a coach in his second With his third recruiting class in place, the roster is evolving in Steals 201 129 64.2% year in the league. a way Prosser likes. Four starters and five reserves return from a team that went "Would we like to play faster? Absolutely,” Prosser said. “I RETURNING LEADERS 25-6 overall and 13-3 in the ACC a year ago. In addition, hope we can this season. We'll see when practice begins. Last Scoring Prosser welcomes a four-man freshmen class that is consid- year we had 11 scholarship guys, and of those guys you had Justin Gray So. G 12.7 ered among the best in the nation. three guys (Howard, Lepore and Schoetz) who weren't even Rebounding Other experts, however, will be skeptical. After all, the one able to start the year practicing (because of injuries). This year Vytas Danelius Jr. F 7.5 starter gone from last season was consensus first team All- we'll have, ideally, 12 scholarship guys. Field Goals American Josh Howard. "I'm hoping we can do that. I'm hoping that we can extend Vytas Danelius Jr. F 133 Replacing Howard -- the theme of any preseason discussion the floor a lot more. I think that's going to be the future of our Free Throws of Wake Forest basketball -- is simply not an option for Prosser. team." Vytas Danelius Jr. F 98 “We may find a substitute,” Prosser said, “but not a And the future looks extremely bright. 3-Pointers replacement.” Back are four starters from last year’s club -- not including Taron Downey Jr. G 50 There may not have been a player more valuable to a team sophomore Justin Gray, who started the first 10 games of the Percentage than Howard was to Wake Forest last season. He led the team season as a rookie before breaking his jaw. Gray, who can play Eric Williams So. C 54.7% (and the ACC) in scoring (19.5 points per game), rebounding either guard position, is Wake’s leading returning scorer (12.7 Percentage (8.3 rpg.), three-point field goals (53), free throws (145), ppg.) and he was named to Taron Downey Jr. G 86.1% blocked shots (48) and steals (64). He carried a team which the ACC All-Freshmen 3-Point Field Goal Percentage was unranked in the preseason polls to its first outright ACC Team last season. Taron Downey Jr. G 34.0% regular season title in 41 years. Along the way, Howard was Gray, 6-2, sat out a Assists the first unanimous ACC Player of the Year since David solid month after break- Taron Downey Jr. G 130 Thompson in 1975 and Wake’s first All-American since Tim ing his jaw in the ACC Blocked Shots Duncan. opener at Duke. Jamaal Levy Jr. F 30 Without Howard, an NBA first-round draft pick, the Despite the lay- Steals Deacons will have a new look in 2003-04. And while Howard off -- and Jamaal Levy Jr. F 29 may be irreplaceable, Prosser is hopeful that nine returning the loss letterwinners and four talented newcomers may compensate of 19 RETURNING ACC LEADERS for his staggering statistics. Free Throw Percentage “Josh was vital to our success last season,” Prosser said. J.J. Redick, So. (Duke) 91.9% “However, we were not a one-man team. We have 12 play- Tim Pickett, Sr. (FSU) 86.5% ers on scholarship.” TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 86.1% , Jr. (Duke) 82.1% Also gone from last year’s team is reserve guard Steve Lepore, who played a key role off the bench Rebounds VYTAS DANELIUS, Jr. (WF) 7.5 despite a lingering knee injury and served as a men- JAMAAL LEVY, Jr. (WF) 6.8 tor to a roster full of young teammates. Seven-footer Sharrod Ford, Jr. (CU) 6.8 Dshamal Schoetz, who played sparingly after overcom- Ed Nelson, Jr. (GT) 6.5 ing a serious knee injury, transferred to a Division III Assists Regular Season Champions <2003> ACC school at the conclusion of the season. Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 6.74 Despite the losses, Prosser is confident his team can build Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 6.42 on the success it has enjoyed the last two seasons. The 2003 , So. (GT) 5.97 ACC Coach of the Year, Prosser has guided Wake Forest to 46 TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 4.19 wins in two seasons in Winston-Salem and his 22 league vic- /Turnover Ratio tories are the second-most ever by a coach in his first two sea- Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 2.16 sons in the ACC. Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 1.82 The 2003-04 Demon Deacons should be quicker, more ath- Jarrett Jack, So. (GT) 1.75 letic and deeper than last year’s team that finished 25-6 and TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 1.62 finished eighth in the Associated Press poll. But it will also be Minutes Per Game one of the youngest teams in college basketball. There are no Chris Duhon, Sr. (Duke) 36.0 Raymond Felton, So. (UNC) 35.4 senior leaders -- in fact, no scholarship seniors at all -- on the Junior Taron Downey , Jr. (NCS) 35.3 roster. has 41 career starts TARON DOWNEY, Jr. (WF) 34.4 The leadership role falls on the shoulders of three returning to his credit. 45 pounds -- Gray returned stronger than ever. Gray is an eter- nally confident player who brings a needed swagger to the Deacon lineup. Deacon Gray joins Downey (10.2 ppg., 4.2 apg.) in giving Wake Notebook Forest one of the most talented -- and quickest -- one-two backcourt punches in college basketball. And while Downey handled most of the duties last season, Gray and 13 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON Downey give the Deacs versatility because both are comfort- APPEARANCES able at either position. 2003 NCAA 2nd round Downey, 6-2, might be one of the most underrated players 2002 NCAA 2nd round in the ACC. He ranked third last season in the ACC in free 2001 NCAA 1st round throw percentage (.861), sixth in assist-turnover ratio and sev- 2000 NIT Champions enth in assists. Equally important, Downey emerged as a vocal 1999 NIT 2nd round leader for the Deacons even though he was a sophomore.

<2003> ACC Season Champions Regular 1998 NIT 2nd round Danelius (12.3 ppg., 7.5 rpg.), a 6-9 junior forward, was a 1997 NCAA 2nd round second team All-ACC selection last season and he’s the 1996 NCAA Final Eight league’s leading returning rebounder. The Lithuanian started 1995 NCAA Final 16 30 of 31 games and played nearly 31 minutes per contest. A 1994 NCAA 2nd round powerful player in the paint, Danelius has added the three- 1993 NCAA Final 16 point shot to his arsenal. 1992 NCAA 1st round Levy (7.2 ppg., 6.8 rpg.), a 6-9 junior, moved into the start- 1991 NCAA 2nd round ing lineup in early January last season and never lost his start- ing job. Levy, Wake’s returning leader in blocked shots (30) WAKE FOREST’S ACC and steals (29), was one of the ACC’s most improved players. REGULAR SEASON CROWNS Sophomore Eric Williams (8.7 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) started from Year W-L Tied With Day One, providing the Deacons with much-needed muscle in 1960 12-2 UNC the middle. Williams shot a team-best 54.7 percent and at 1962 12-2 none times, the 6-9, 275-pounder was dominating. Foul trouble (he 1995 12-4 UNC, MD, VA fouled out five times last season) and a lack of consistency 2003 13-3 none kept his minutes to just over 20 per game. Williams’ foul trouble last season paved the way for rising LONGEST CURRENT HOME- sophomore Chris Ellis (2.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg.) to see valuable min- COURT WINNING STREAKS utes. Ellis, who played in all 31 games, was key to Wake’s suc- Western Kentucky 39 cess last season. Duke 28 Sophomore Trent Strickland (4.3 ppg., 1.9 rpg.) learned a Southern 27 great deal last season playing behind Howard. An outstanding 22 athlete, Strickland is one of the ACC’s better defenders and he Junior Vytas Danelius, the ACC’s leading returning rebounder Butler 18 has potential to excel in Wake’s fullcourt attack. (7.5 rpg.), was a second team All-ACC selection in 2003. Weber State 18 Sophomore Richard Joyce (1.8 ppg.) showed potential last season. Also a good athlete, Joyce can shoot from the perime- Wake Forest 17 American Game. He joins Downey and Gray to give Wake ter. Creighton 17 Forest three lightning-quick guards, all of whom can play The four-man freshman class filled much of Wake Forest’s Illinois 17 either guard position. needs. The Deacons signed point guard Chris Paul (Winston- Syracuse 17 Ingram, 6-3, was also a heavily-recruited prospect. An Salem, NC), wing man Jeremy Ingram (Kinston, NC), forward Austin Peay 15 exceptional athlete, Ingram should compete immediately for Sam Houston State 15 Todd Hendley (Sanford, NC) and post player Kyle Visser playing time on the wing. Texas 15 (Grand Rapids, MI). Hendley, 6-9, raised his stock significantly in the summer of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 15 Paul, 6-0, is the most heralded of the newcomers. A local 2002, getting notice from some of the nation’s top programs. product, Paul played in the McDonald’s High School All- By that time, however, Hendley had been courted heavily by the Deacons and signed on with Prosser. 2003-04 By The Numbers Visser, 6-11, enjoyed an outstanding prep career in Michigan. With his height and agility, the Deacon coaching coach -- Bill Guthridge -- won more league games in staff feel he has great potential for the future. 1 his first two years in the ACC than Skip Prosser. "There aren't many better athletes in my opinion, than McDonald’s High School All-Americans -- Eric Williams Jeremy Ingram," Prosser said. "Chris Paul is a good athlete. 2 and Chris Paul -- are on the WFU roster. Todd Hendley can really run the floor. And Kyle Visser, for a wins without a loss is Wake Forest’s record in the annu- kid who is 6-11, can really run the floor. But they will still be al ACC/Big Ten Challenge. freshmen competing in the ACC.” 4 Freshmen have been known to make immediate impacts for active Division I coaches, including Prosser, won 200 Prosser-coached teams. The Deacons began last season with 8 career games in less than 300 games coached. two freshmen in the starting lineup and in the previous season, players on the Deacon roster hail from the state of Downey emerged as a starter in his rookie campaign. 8 North Carolina. "I think on the perimeter we should be more athletic. Taron will have to improve, as will Jamaal. But I think we can have consecutive seasons Wake Forest has earned a post- the components of a really athletic, quick team. And like I've season berth -- the longest streak in the ACC. 13 said many times, I think quickness trumps just about every- consecutive homecourt victories for the Deacons, thing else in basketball.” 17 who last lost at home on Feb. 21, 2002. NCAA Tournament appearances by WFU, including Center 18 an appearance in the inaugural 1939 event. Sophomore Eric Williams and his 6-9, 275-pound frame percent of all Wake Forest student-athletes do vol- returns in the post. Williams, clearly one of the strongest play- unteer work in the community. ers in the ACC, was dominating at times in his rookie season. 75 He shot a team-best 54.7 percent, scored in double figures 13 consecutive games Wake Forest has made at times and had a pair of double-doubles. 361 least one three-point field goal. Williams needs to be better on two fronts as a sophomore. <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <13> Consecutive Postseason 46 <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances He needs to stay out of foul trouble and he needs to become Junior Jamaal Levy was one of the more consistent. After scoring in double figures in 10 of his ACC’s most improved players last first 12 collegiate games, he reached double digits just three season, nearly tripling his individual The times in the final 19 games of the season. statistics. Preseason Sophomore Chris Ellis, 6-9, was a pleasant surprise last Hoopla 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 TEAM Williams give Wake two bruising bullies in the paint. > Lindy’s -- predicts Wake Freshman Kyle Visser, 6-11, runs the floor well for a player Forest to finish third in the ACC his size. He averaged 16.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game > Street & Smith’s -- predicts last season at Forest Hills Central High School. the Deacons to finish third in the ACC Power Forward > Athlon -- predicts Wake more Junior Vytas Danelius played his rookie season behind Forest to finish fifth in the ACC Justin Darius Songaila and he played last year in the shadows of > Street & Smith’s -- calls Gray and Howard. Now that both of those players are in the NBA, this freshman coach Skip Prosser the ACC’s could be the year that Danelius emerges as one of the ACC’s Chris Paul “best strategist” best frontcourt players. Danelius (12.7 ppg.) is Wake’s leading -- in the line- returning scorer and he was named second team All-ACC last up at the same VYTAS DANELIUS, Jr., F season. time. > Lindy’s -- ranked as the fifth- Ellis and junior Jamaal Levy could slide into this position if Downey, 6-2, best power forward in college needed and freshman Todd Hendley, 6-9, will compete for has started most of basketball minutes. the past two seasons > Lindy’s -- preseason first at point guard, where team All-ACC Small Forward the southpaw has > Street & Smith’s -- preseason Levy, with his lanky 6-9, 180-pound frame, returns after developed into one first team All-ACC making great strides last season. Levy’s main duties are of the ACC’s best > Athlon -- calls him the defending, blocking shots and rebounding (he is WFU’s quarterbacks. Downey (10.2 ppg., 4.1 apg., 50 three-point nation’s 8th-best inside-out returning leader in blocks and steals), but he can score as well. field goals), who may be the vocal leader of this year’s team, player He scored in double figures 10 times including a career-high possesses a smooth stroke from three-point range and he has > Athlon -- a preseason third 15 points in a home win over nationally-ranked Duke. improved in taking care of the basketball (he ranked sixth in team All-ACC selection At least three others players will compete with Levy for play- 2003 in the ACC in assist-turnover ratio). > Street & Smith’s -- called the ing time. Sophomore Trent Strickland (4.3 ppg., 1.9 rpg.) was Gray, 6-2, is an enthusiastic leader despite his sophomore ACC’s best shot-blocker a key reserve last season, often subbing for Howard. Very ath- status. Gray (12.7 ppg.) spent most of his time last season at letic, Strickland, 6-5, is an outstanding perimeter defender. the two-guard after playing the point the previous year at Oak TARON DOWNEY, Jr., G Sophomore Richard Joyce, 6-5, is a good athlete who saw Hill Academy. Gray finished up his rookie season on a strong limited playing time as a rookie. Freshman Jeremy Ingram, 6- note, scoring 26 points in the second round of the NCAA > Street & Smith’s -- called the 3, is athletic enough to play the No. 3 position in a small Tournament against Auburn. “best under pressure” in the Deacon lineup. Paul, 6-0, was arguably the nation’s best high school point ACC guard a year ago. The McDonald’s, Parade and USA Today Guard High School All-American is Wake’s most heralded recruit in CHRIS PAUL, Fr., G Coach Skip Prosser faces a pleasant dilemma. He has three years. The lightning-quick Paul will compete right away for > Lindy’s -- one of nation’s top exceptionally talented, quick guards who can play either guard playing time, perhaps even a starting job. 10 freshmen position. All three can score as well as distribute the ball. Don’t Ingram, Strickland and Joyce are also candidates to play > Lindy’s -- calls Paul the best be surprised to see all three -- junior Taron Downey, sopho- the big guard spot. playmaker/passer freshman in the ACC > Athlon -- ranked as the 26th- The Preseason Polls best freshman in the nation > Street & Smith’s -- called SLAM MAGAZINE BLUE RIBBON LINDY’S STREET & SMITH’S ACC PREDICTIONS one of the two best freshmen in 1 Connecticut 1 Connecticut 1 Connecticut 1 Connecticut S&S Ath Lin the ACC 2 Michigan State 2 Duke 2 Duke 2 Michigan State Clemson 9 9 9 3 Duke 3 Michigan State 3 Missouri 3 Duke Duke 1 1 1 > Street & Smith’s -- ranked as 4 Syracuse 4 Florida 4 Michigan State 4 Kentucky Florida St. 6 6 6 one of the south’s top fresh- 5 Kansas 5 Missouri 5 Wisconsin 5 Arizona Ga. Tech 8 7 7 men. 6 Arizona 6 Texas 6 Syracuse 6 Kansas Maryland 4 3 4 7 North Carolina 7 Gonzaga 7 Kansas 7 Missouri N. Carolina 2 2 2 JEREMY INGRAM, Fr., G 8 Missouri 8 Kansas 8 Arizona 8 Florida NC State 5 4 5 > Athlon -- ranked as the 77th- 9 Gonzaga 9 Arizona 9 North Carolina 9 North Carolina Virginia 7 8 8 best freshman in the nation

10 Texas 10 Illinois 10 Stanford 10 Gonzaga W. Forest 353 Regular Season Champions <2003> ACC 11 Illinois 11 Syracuse 11 Gonzaga 11 Texas > Street & Smith’s -- ranked as 12 Florida 12 North Carolina 12 Pittsburgh 12 Oklahoma S&S - Street & Smith’s one of the south’s top fresh- 13 Kentucky 13 Kentucky 13 Illinois 13 Syracuse Ath - Athlon men. 14 St. Joseph’s 14 Oklahoma 14 Texas 14 Illinois Lin - Lindy’s 15 Oklahoma 15 St. Joseph’s 15 Florida 15 Wisconsin UNDER THE RADAR 16 Pittsburgh 16 Stanford 16 Oklahoma 16 Cincinnati Getting barely a mention from 17 NC State 17 Notre Dame 17 Kentucky 17 Louisville 18 Wisconsin 18 Wake Forest 18 St. Joseph’s 18 Notre Dame the preseason publications is 19 Notre Dame 19 Marquette 19 Wake Forest 19 St. Joseph’s Justin Gray. The sophomore 20 Louisville 20 Pittsburgh 20 Notre Dame 20 Wake Forest guard is Wake Forest’s leading 21 Ohio State 21 LSU 21 Marquette 21 Stanford returning scorer (12.7 ppg.). 22 Wake Forest 22 Louisville 22 Maryland 22 Auburn 23 Marquette 23 Maryland 23 Louisville 23 Oklahoma State 24 Stanford 24 Wisconsin 24 Seton Hall 24 Oregon 25 Utah 25 California 25 Oklahoma State 25 Colorado

47 FAVORITE TEAM I’D MAGAZINE FAVORITE FAVORITE TV SPORTS LIKE TO SEE COVER I’D MY JERSEY FAVORITE MUSICAL SPORTS FAVORITE FAVORITE BROAD- ADDED TO LIKE TO BE BIGGEST NAME NUMBER FOOD ARTIST MOVIE TV SHOW BOOK CASTER HOBBIES SCHEDULE ON FEAR Sleeping, <2003> ACC Season Champions Regular Spongebob cleaning, Chris Mom’s Above The Square The Bible cooking, Hawaii Not meeting Ellis Rim Pants fishing, God 0 golfing Jack Shopping, Justin Daniels Making The Stuart Scott chilling out- The Lakers Chicken & Jay-Z He Got Band with P & Stan side, video -- on the ESPN The Don’t have Gray 1 Shrimp Game Diddy Cotten games road Magazine one Jumping so Fishing, high I hit Jeremy Chicken 50 Cent Love and Comicview The Bible Harry Carey shopping & Florida Source my head on Ingram Basketball sleeping the back- 2 board Basketball, Hurting one Beans and football, of my team- Chris weenies Jay-Z Martin To Kill A girls, talking USC- GQ mates Paul and tuna Mockingbird on phone, Spartanburg because I’m 3 hanging out just so BIG

The Bible & Stuart Scott Taron BBQ Ribs R. Kelly Love and Martin Green Eggs & Dick Chillin’ Florida Sports Failing Downey 4 Basketball and Ham Vitale Illustrated Chillin’, lis- The Buju tening to Panama Not being Jamaal Lasagna Banton, Love and NBA Action The Bible Charles music, National SLAM able to play Levy 10 Jay-Z, Sizzla Basketball Barkley more chillin’ Team basketball The Man Show; Vytas Wings Jamiroquai Hoosiers Saturday Forest Of Harry Carey Listening to Florida Sky Mall Heights Danelius 13 Night Live Gods music Jimmy Sports Dykes on Roller coast- Alan Memphis Garth Hoosiers Center & The Bible ESPN’s Big Flyfishing & UCLA Montana ers & rep- Williams 20 BBQ Brooks Golf Central Monday golf Outdoors tiles Grilled Dave Remember chicken, Matthews, The Titans; Richard mashed Jack Varsity Seinfeld Lord Of Stan Cotten Golfing San Diego GQ; Men’s Heights Joyce potatoes, Johnson, Blues The Rings State Health 23 asparagus Jimmy Buffett My Drawing, The Lakers Noodles Grandma’s standing in New Type -- to try my Eric and crab R. Kelly Shaolin Family Guy photo Don’t know the rain, (Japanese Clowns luck against Williams legs Soccer album skateboard- Anime) 31 ing Shaq

My Trent mother’s T.I. Love and BET Brad Fishing Hawaii ESPN The My mother Strickland 33 cooking Basketball Daugherty Magazine Snowboard- Breaking Lord of the ing, golf, Ta r o n’ s Todd Strawberries Jewel Kingpin Simpsons Rings -- Stuart Scott playing Delaware Field & ankles when Hendley & biscuits Trilogy Rummy w/ Stream we play 34 Mom, sister 1-on-1 Hanging out with Kyle Mashed Dave Hoosiers Sports Harry Potter friends, Michigan Time - Man Failing Visser 55 potatoes Matthews Center fishing State of the Year <13> Consecutive Postseason Appearances <13> Consecutive Postseason 48