Highly-touted rookie Marbury holds fate of Yellow Jackets

Old Gold and Black Reporter

Courtesy of Georgia Tech Sports Information

Senior guard Drew Barry will provide veteran leadership for a young Yellow Jacket squad.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets seek to rebound from two disappointing years with the highest-profile rookie in the conference.

Bobby Cremins, hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993, will have to compensate for the losses of Travis Best and James Forrest, but has many exciting young players to infuse the Jackets with talent.

Stephon Marbury, a 6-1 guard from Brooklyn, N.Y., is expected to dazzle the competition after a stellar performance for the United States team in the World Junior Championships, where he averaged 21 points per game. Marbury was named high school player of the year by Parade and the "Gatorade Circle of Champions."

Marbury will play alongside senior Drew Barry, who has led the ACC in assists for two straight years. Barry, 6-5, averaged 13.4 points and 6.7 assists last year, and he gives the Jackets versatility in the backcourt both offensively and defensively.

Also in the backcourt for Tech is freshman Gary Saunders, a 6-5 player who, like Marbury, is from New York City.

In the frontcourt, the Jackets return sophomore forwards Matt Harpring and Michael Maddox.

Harpring, who was named to the ACC-All Freshman team, averaged 12.1 points per game and impressed observers with his hustle and determination.

Maddox, a power forward at 6-8, 222 pounds, averaged 9.1 points while displaying both inside and perimeter potential as the Jackets sixth man. He should start this season.

Eddie Elisma, a junior, will fill the center spot for the Jackets. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.0 rebounds last season, but his slender build is a disadvantage. Elisma led the Jackets in blocked shots and field goal percentage.

Bucky Hodge, a 6-9 sophomore, will also be counted on for minutes in the front court. His size lends versatility to the Tech bench.

Freshman Juan Gaston, another wide body at 6-7, 235 pounds, is a top-70 prospect who should contribute.

The Jackets have missed the last two NCAA Tournaments despite tremendous talent. This year, Harpring, Maddox and Marbury form a young nucleus that will have to carry the team.

Barry's leadership will be essential to a team that has lacked chemistry in recent years, but the pieces are there for a return to the "Big Dance."