During the NCAA Tournament, you will see things that amaze you. Confuse
you. Startle you.
|
|
|
Arizona's Hassan Adams or LeBron James?
(Getty Images)
|
|
Do not turn off your television set. Think of our ratings.
And think of what you'll miss. As the tournament unfolds, you will see
players you've never seen before. And yet, strangely, you'll swear that
you have.
Here at Ten for Tuesday, we understand. We're here to cushion the
blow by providing you an advance warning ... of the 10 most shocking
look-alikes in the 2005 NCAA Tournament!
Possible topic for next week's Ten for Tuesday: Ten coaches we believe
were once abducted by aliens.
|
|
|
McGregor-Morrison
|
|
10. Adam Morrison, Gonzaga: Morrison has the sweetest-looking
jump shot since Larry Bird, but can he sing? Can he dance? Scottish
actor
Ewan McGregor can do both. Rent
Moulin Rouge and
picture Morrison, minus that nappy hair, co-starring alongside Nicole
Kidman.
|
|
|
Dele-Fey
|
|
9. Michael Fey, UCLA: It's an awkward thing, comparing the living
to the dead, or the presumed dead, but the 7-foot Fey is a dead ringer
-- sorry -- for
Bison Dele, the flaky former Arizona and NBA big
man once known as Brian Williams. Dele has been missing since 2002,
allegedly killed at sea by his brother, Miles Dabord, who died months
later after being found comatose on a Tahiti beach. We wish a long life
to you, Michael Fey. And a jump shot.
|
|
|
Tupac-Felton
|
|
8. Raymond Felton, UNC: On Sept. 13, 1996, brilliant rapper
Tupac Shakur died from gunshot wounds in a Las Vegas shooting. Or
did he? To this day, there are people who believe the death was a hoax,
that Shakur went into hiding and is alive and well. Four years later, in
tiny Latta, S.C., a high school junior named Raymond Felton materialized
on the recruiting scene bearing an uncanny resemblance to Tupac.
Coincidence? Probably. But watch
Above the Rim, and tell me
that bizarre jump shot doesn't look familiar.
|
|
|
Cage-Smith
|
|
7. Nick Smith, Illinois: The 7-2 Illini center is just flaky and
self-centered enough to make it in Hollywood. At the least, he could be
a body double -- a really
tall body double -- for
Nicolas
Cage. What, you thought it was a coincidence the Illini center's
first name was
Nick?
|
|
|
Taylor-Rock
|
|
6. Kammron Taylor, Wisconsin: This one is scary. Taylor is so
talented, so versatile, he can play both guard positions for Wisconsin
on one night, and host the Oscar the next. Anyone ever seen Taylor in
the same room with comedian
Chris Rock?
5. Terrence Roberts, Syracuse: Orange fans ought to love this
one. Roberts has the same face, body and early career path as Kenyon
Martin. Both are 6-9, 230 pounds.
|
|
|
Martin-Roberts
|
|
Both had nondescript freshman seasons (Roberts averaged 2.1 points and
2.1 rebounds; Martin averaged 2.8 points and 3.4 rebounds at Cincinnati
in 1996-97). Both picked it up as sophomores (Roberts: 7.2 and 3.7;
Martin: 9.9 and 8.9). Both even suffered terrible leg injuries in 2000,
Martin as a college senior and Roberts as a high school sophomore.
Martin became national player of the year. Anything less for Roberts
will be a huge disappointment. Well, it'll be a huge disappointment to
me.
|
|
|
Estevez-Sparks
|
|
4. Patrick Sparks, Kentucky: This one takes some vision -- as if
the others don't -- but you've got to picture Sparks with a mop of thick
hair. Away from the bright lights they couldn't be more different, but
Sparks bears an eerie facial resemblance to
Emilio Estevez, circa
The Breakfast Club. Otherwise, no comparison. Estevez grew up in
Manhattan and Malibu. Sparks is a Kentucky country boy.
|
|
|
Mitchell-Simien
|
|
3. Wayne Simien, Kansas: Normally we don't take a step down in
class, but in this case we'll make an exception and tell you about a
high school senior who could be Simien's mini-Me. You'll have to trust
me on this one, but next year when he's tearing it up for LSU, 6-7
Tasmin Mitchell will freak you out with his resemblance to the 6-9
Simien. Their games are even on the same trajectory, both expanding
their offensive capabilities beyond the low block in the past year.
2. Hassan Adams, Arizona: Both of these guys can leap a CBS
broadcast tower (shameless plug) in one bound, but that's not the best
part. Give him four inches, 30 pounds, a better handle and a jump shot,
and Adams is LeBron James. That's not so much to ask, is
it?
|
|
|
Els-Steyn
|
|
1. Frans Steyn, Oklahoma State: All South Africans don't look the
same -- do they? -- but Steyn's look-alike just happens to be another
South Afrikaner, golfer
Ernie Els. Both were diverse athletes as
kids, Steyn starring at rugby, cricket and track, while Els was an elite
junior tennis player. Steyn eventually chose basketball. Els chose golf.
For one of them, it worked out nicely.
