May 2
As I unveil my three preseason 2002-03 All-Rolls Royce teams -- straight from the VBDI, or Vitale Bald Dome Index -- it's time to look at the First Team (followed by the Second and Third Teams). Remember, my teams consist of a backcourt and a frontcourt, rather than four guards and a forward, which is how some people select their All-America squads.

Draft Departures

Here's a list of All-Rolls Royce candidates who declared early for the NBA draft and therefore were left off my Rolls Royce lists. This is some dazzling dozen, baby! Carlos Boozer, Duke Curtis Borchardt, Stanford Caron Butler, Connecticut Drew Gooden, Kansas Casey Jacobsen, Stanford Jared Jeffries, Indiana Roger Mason Jr., Virginia Kareem Rush, Missouri Dajuan Wagner, Memphis Chris Wilcox, Maryland Frank Williams, Illinois Jason Williams, Duke

This list is subject to change due to the NBA draft, and I'll update it when the official list of draft underclassmen is finalized. Already a lot has changed, since so many quality players have declared for the draft (it can change again if players pull out and go back to college).

Guys like Kansas' Drew Gooden and UConn's Caron Butler would have been sure-fire first-team choices, baby! (See inline box for All-America candidates who have decided to leave early.)

These are my top 15 players in America -- the super, scintillating and sensational stars to watch for during the 2002-03 season. These teams certainly look good on paper, baby!

DICKIE V'S PRESEASON ALL-ROLLS ROYCE TEAMS
(with key 2001-02 statistics in parentheses)

FIRST TEAM
Guard -- Jason Gardner, Arizona (20.4 ppg, 4.6 apg)
Gardner, who has tremendous penetration ability, made a great decision to return to school for his senior season. Now he should build on the success of his junior year, when he was a third-team All-American.

Guard -- Kirk Hinrich, Kansas (14.8 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.8 rpg)
Hinrich is quick and an outstanding shooter. With the graduation of Jeff Boschee, Hinrich will be even more important to the Jayhawks.

Center -- David West, Xavier (18.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg)
He's multidimensional and the catalyst for the Musketeers. West pleased coach Thad Matta by announcing at the school's award banquet his decision to return to school instead of opting for the NBA draft. He has inside-outside ability and knows how to get to the free-throw line. He was a second-team All-American this past season.

Forward -- Mike Dunleavy, Duke (17.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
Dunleavy is versatile, so he can play the small-forward or second-guard slot. He was also a second-team All-American in 2001-02.

Forward -- Mike Sweetney, Georgetown (19 ppg, 10 rpg)
Sweetney is power personified. He is a man among boys when playing in the low block. Sweetney can dominate on the inside and he should have a jamming junior season.

SECOND TEAM
Guard -- Troy Bell, Boston College (21.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.8 apg)
Bell was up and down this past season as a junior, but he sparkled as a sophomore when he was Big East co-player of the year. Expectations in 2001-02 were so high. This kid can score in bunches and is automatic on the free-throw line. It should be a special season for him in Chestnut Hill.

Guard -- Hollis Price, Oklahoma (16.5 ppg, 1.7 spg)
Price was Mr. Clutch for the Sooners throughout the 2001-02 season. He put up a sensational performance in the first half against Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.

Center -- Erwin Dudley, Alabama (15.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
When you talked about the Tide this past season, you heard about Maurice Williams, who came on as a diaper dandy, or wing player Rod Grizzard. Dudley was the star of the team, getting it done every game as a warrior on the glass. He's so powerful in the post.

Forward -- Nick Collison, Kansas (15.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
Since Drew Gooden decided to move on to the NBA, Collison will be called upon even more on the inside. Look at what he did against Oregon in the Elite Eight (25 points, 15 rebounds) and you see stardom!

Forward -- Jarvis Hayes, Georgia (18.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Hayes was sensational in the SEC last season. With another year of experience, he should have a tremendous 2002-03 campaign.

THIRD TEAM
Guard -- Brandin Knight, Pittsburgh (15.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 4.8 rpg)
Last year Pittsburgh was the surprise team in America. Knight is a creator and penetrator who should enjoy more success. As the Panthers' catalyst, he was a third-team All-American this past season. Knight must improve on the free-throw line (44 percent in '01-02) to become even more dominant.

Guard -- Dwyane Wade, Marquette (17.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 apg)
Wade is an explosive player who is outstanding in transition. He should have a big second year with the Golden Eagles. Coach Tom Crean loves having him lead the way.

Forward/Center -- Matt Bonner, Florida (15.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
When Bonner went to Florida, most looked at him as a role player. But he has emerged as a star, and consistency is his game. Bonner can go inside or outside, and with Udonis Haslem gone, he will be called upon more down low.

Forward -- Jason Kapono, UCLA (16 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Kapono, a trifecta man, should have a big season in his final year in the UCLA uniform. He has great range as a shooter. Kapono must be more consistent to become a dominator.

Forward -- Luke Walton, Arizona (15.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.3 apg)
I love Walton's passing ability. He's the best passing big player on the baseline. Luke is one of the key reasons Arizona is my preseason No. 1 team.