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SportsLine.com Report
June 13, 2000

A glance at 2001

The future was looking bright for DePaul -- until Quentin Richardson decided to turn pro. The 6-7 sophomore forward, who averaged 17.1 points and 9.8 rebounds, is taking his considerable game to the NBA, leaving the Blue Demons with some large Adidas to fill.

Paul McPherson is also defecting to the professional ranks. The 6-4 junior guard opted to declare for the NBA after scoring 11.2 points per game in his first season at DePaul.

His departure was not terribly surprising; before making his one-year run at DePaul he had played at two junior colleges. He's a big-time athlete, but those are hardly in short supply these days for the Blue Demons.

The Blue Demons did land a big transfer in 6-4 guard Marion London, who defected from Kansas last month. London, who starred for St. Joseph's high school in the Chicago suburbs, didn't live up to his billing in two years in Lawrence and is hoping a return home will rejuvenate his career.

Add nationally ranked point guard Imari Sawyer and McDonald's All-American Andre Brown to the base of Lance Williams, Bobby Simmons and Steven Hunter ... and the Blue Demons are still an NCAA Tournament caliber team.

The coach

Pat Kennedy has a new contract and wants to bring the program into national prominence. He has recruited well for three consecutive years, and the program is on the upswing.

Who'll be back

The backcourt was expected to feature Rashon Burno and Paul McPherson, but with McPherson leaving, George Baker or Imari Sawyer will be expected to step in. Lance Williams and Bobby Simmons are back with Steven Hunter up front. That's an NBA-caliber front line. Brown will command immediate playing time.

Who's gone

Guard Kerry Hartfield is gone, as is fellow senior Ayinde Avery, who was a solid reserve but definitely replaceable. Even with Richardson and McPherson in the NBA, DePaul is still a solid top 20 team.

Key newcomers

DePaul added two prep All-Americans to the mix:

• PF-C Andre Brown (6-9, 230, Fr.): Brown is the prize. He ranks among the top 20 recruits nationally and is another in a long line of Chicago prospects to stay home and attend DePaul. Over 125 schools expressed interest.
• PG Imari Sawyer (6-2, 180, Fr.): Sawyer will push Burno at the point. He is the best playmaker to sign with DePaul since Rod Strickland 15 years ago. He played at Chicago King High, ranking among the program's elite players ... and the school has produced Teddy Grubbs, Efrem Winters, Marcus Liberty, Jamie Brandon and Rashard Griffith.
• G Marion London (6-4, 200, Jr.): London will have to sit out a year after transferring from Kansas, but should help the Blue Demons down the road.