It's February and hoops recruiting does not command the headlines right now, but recruiting is always happening and we have some tidbits and speculation.

In the West, the 2004 recruiting landscape is almost barren in Southern California. This is likely the weakest in class in memory. However, there are a few prospects that could help someone -- UCLA, for example -- until the Southern California class of 2005, one of the deepest in memory, matures.

Six-foot-4 combo guard (2/1) Aaron Afflalo of Centennial High School in Compton, Calif., is being recruited nationally, but the feeling here is that he has always wanted to attend UCLA. Steve Lavin, or the new coach should UCLA and Lavin part ways, will likely be able to secure Affalo's signature on an LOI. Affalo is a scorer, but his experience at the point has translated into a good overall court sense. The best thing about Afflalo is that he is a "big game" player and performs his best in the clutch.

His former teammate, 6-2 combo guard Gabriel Pruitt (Westchester HS/Los Angeles, Calif.), an outstanding shooter, is another player who would likely be available to the Bruins. Pruitt transferred to Westchester from Centennial but was ruled ineligible to play at Westchester this year and is sitting out.

It is also quite possible that the best big man in the California class of 2004, 6-10 David Burgess (Woodbridge HS/Irvine, Calif.), could make UCLA his favorite, giving the Bruins a very nice class, more than just a "bridge" class until the 2005 group arrives. While 7-0 Robert Swift (Garces HS/Bakersfield, Calif.) has more upside, Burgess is an excellent rebounder, plays stronger and finishes better in traffic. Rumors have Swift giving the University of Southern California a secret commitment, but that is just a rumor. Arizona would also like Swift, who may or may not qualify.

6-4 swingman Bryce Taylor of Harvard Westlake in Studio City, Calif., may be one of those California kids who dreams of Arizona, but the Wildcats already have a commitment from Jawann McClellan (Milby HS/Houston, Texas). Should the Bruins not land Afflalo they may be able to get Taylor, although Taylor has been targeted by other Pac-10 schools.

Taylor's body is growing out of the off guard position, but his game has grown into legitimate Top 100 category. Taylor recently put in 53 points against Kansas-bound Omar Wilkes and Loyola (Los Angeles, CA) in their second meeting of the season. The first time around Taylor merely went for 45. Taylor, who may be the best shooter in Southern California, has also improved his ability to create his own shot -- although that is the part of his offensive game that still needs the most work. However, his ability to stand three feet behind the arc and shoot consistently, opens up the floor for him and enables him to get a step on his man.

Illinois has been working overtime on getting two impact recruits in the class of 2004 and they appear to be in the lead for both 6-6 Shaun Livingston (Peoria Central HS/Peoria, Ill.) and 6-8 Kalen Grimes (Hazelwood Central HS/Hazelwood, Mo.). Livingston, who can play all three perimeter positions equally well and has played mostly the point on the summer club circuit is conservatively a top 5 player in the class of 2004. Grimes is one of the top 3 power forwards in the class.

Attention Draftniks
In the current senior class we would be surprised if 6'10 Kendrick Perkins, Jr. (Ozen HS/Beaumont, Texas) ever enrolls at Memphis. Everything we are hearing indicates that Perkins will be "enrolling" for the NBA draft instead.

Since Perkins has big body, plays with his back to the basket, and there are not many high level European players in the draft this year, he could end up being drafted in the early portion of the draft.

Which leads one to suspect that 6-11 James Lang (Central Park Christian HS/Birmingham, Ala.), who had committed to Louisville but then opened his recruitment up again, may also follow suit. Kentucky may have whatever "edge" there is for Lang right now, but it seems doubtful they will be able to land him if he is a top 10 pick.

Six-foot-nine Charlie Villanueva (Blair Academy/Blairstown, N.J.) has Illinois fans worried. And for good reason. Rumors seem almost equally divided on whether or not Charlie will attend Illinois or come out for the draft.

David Benezra and Mark Mayemura of Recruiting USA cover the national college basketball recruiting scene. E-mail at: hoopsusa@mindspring.com or call 818/ 363 - 1978.