There are two evaluation periods in July, from July 8-14 and July 22-31. That's when college coaches will be attending NCAA certified camps and tournaments, looking to restock their rosters with fresh recruits. It's make or break time for scholarship hopefuls and there's hardly a dull moment.

Here are some names to know (besides LeBron James) this July -- most of them are already household names, at least if your household includes a college coach.

James Lang
6-11, 305 and counting, senior (Parkway Christian H.S./Birmingham, Ala.)
This Mobile native is a big, big man. But he carries it well. Lang's bigger (thicker, heavier) than he was a year ago, but surprisingly, he's also become more athletic. He's got some explosive power in his game, which resembles (I didn't say "compares to") the raw strength and athleticism of Shaquille O'Neal. Lang possesses excellent hands, thick shoulders, hand strength and if he gets the ball down low in dunking position, watch out! He can really catapult that bulk of his and snap the rim back. It's very difficult to stop someone that big, when they have the power, agility and confidence to do a strong imitation of a Shaq two-handed power dunk.

Lang, while not a gazelle, runs the floor well for his bulk. At the Gibbons Tournament, his conditioning and stamina were impressive. He's carrying a few extra pounds, but he's still just a high school player.

If Lang continues to play like he did at the Gibbons tournament, his stock will rise quickly. He's also got some toughness/meanness about him, which for a post player isn't a bad thing. He works hard and he's still developing. Lang has a pair of excellent mitts and he can score on the low block. He'll be playing with Kenny Harris' Alabama Ice at the adidas Big Time in Las Vegas and he's gonna be at adidas ABCD Camp this weekend in New Jersey.

	Brian Butch is a polished 7-footer from Wisconsin.

Brian Butch
6-11, 220, senior (West Appleton H.S./Appleton, Wis.)
By all appearances, it's a fair assessment that Butch is the best shooting big man in the rising senior class. Don't want to guard him on the perimeter? You will after he knocks down a couple of 3s. Get too close to him on the perimeter and he's up-faking you, putting the ball on the deck and going by you with a first step and then elevating after a couple of dribbles for a soft mid-range jumper.

Don't let the Opie Taylor haircut fool you, this kid is a player.

Leon Powe
6-7, 230, senior (Oakland Tech H.S./Oakland, Calif.)
Here's a name to watch for, especially when looking at class rankings. Powe won't have a bad game all summer, but watch his ranking fall. It's not Leon's fault. He's not even playing. Powe suffered a serious ACL injury this spring and is out for the summer. He's still one of the best rising seniors in the country, but there is an axiom about summer basketball/recruiting rankings that usually holds true -- out of sight, out of mind. Powe is one of the best players in the country, but don't be surprised if his stock drops in some rankings (not ours, we won't forget you Leon!). Of course, the exception to this rule and just about every rule is the injured LeBron James, but, hey, he's the best player in the country.

Tron Smith
6-2, senior (Canyon Springs H.S./Moreno Valley, Calif.)
This kid is poised to make some big noise at the upcoming adidas ABCD Camp in New Jersey. He's probably the most-unheralded high-major on the West Coast, a true sleeper. Like last summer's sensation, Antoine Wright (Lawrence Academy/Groton, Mass.---headed to Texas A&M), Smith plays for Elvert "Kool-Aid" Perry's Inland club out of Southern California. He doesn't have Wright's height, but don't let that fool you. Smith is a player. He's even better off the dribble than Wright and he strokes the jumper from deep. Tron is very athletic and he's a strong finisher.

Shannon Brown
6-4 senior (Proviso East H.S./Maywood, Ill.)
Expect him to be one of the highlights of the upcoming Nike All-American camp. This 6-4 shooter has, reportedly, a 4-foot vertical. And, he's got as much heart as he's got bounce. Think of Ronnie Fields-type athleticism, but unlike Fields, Brown can make a jumper, which is why Fields never made the NBA.

Al Jefferson
6-9, 280, junior (Prentiss H.S./Prentiss, Miss.)
He's big, he's athletic and he's skilled. And he will dominate for stretches, which is unusual for someone who just finished the 10th grade. He'll be balling at this weekend's Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis. Though people have been touting Mississippi rising seniors Jackie Butler and Travis Outlaw since last year, Jefferson might be the one to emerge with the big summer.

Khalif Ford
6-0, senior (Diamond Bar H.S./Diamond Bar, Calif.)
Sidelined the entire spring while recuperating from minor surgery, word is that Ford is now fully healthy. And a healthy Ford means a speedy Ford, a scoring point guard who will resemble another Ford model -- Texas point guard T.J. Khalif has major league athleticism, shoots the ball well and plays very aggressively. Watch his stock rise. He scored 23 last summer in Las Vegas in a head-to-head matchup with rising junior wunderkind, Sebastian Telfair (Lincoln H.S./Brooklyn, N.Y.).

Martin Iti
6-11, senior (Winchendon Prep/Winchendon Mass.) Iti just made a verbal commitment Charlotte. And he's supposed to play at the Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas with Pump N Run, but with the new NCAA rules, that might not be the case. What is certain, is that Martin Iti has arrived. Iti, a native of Australia, has been embroiled with immigration issues ever since he got to the States several years ago.

Ndudi Ebi
6-9, 195, senior (Westbury Christian H.S./Houston, Texas)
This kid's long, wiry, athletic and reactive. His game is along the lines of Darius Miles, which ain't bad. Ebi's got speed, high-wire verticality and those long arms. He's very good at getting the defensive carom, putting the ball on the deck and making his own fast break. If his skills start to narrow the gap with his athleticism/upside, watch out -- he could be walking up the aisle to greet David Stern before long.

Darryl Watkins
6-10, 235, senior (Paterson Catholic H.S./Paterson, N.J.)
Watkins is one to watch because you never know which Darryl will come out and play. There are times when Watkins is active and very productive -- blocking shots, hitting jump hooks and flushing dunks. And then there are times when he's almost invisible on the court. Definitely a work in progress, but he might be ready to peak this summer. He's a talent, no doubt. He anchors the middle for the Tim Thomas Playaz, who are among the favorites for this summer's 344-team Las Vegas Big Time Tournament (July 22-26).

Shaun Livingston
6-6, junior (Richwoods H.S./Peoria, Ill.)
Dr. Livingston, I presume? He looks like Tayshaun Prince, but he plays more like Magic Johnson. Shaun Livingston has exceptional vision and passing skills. He's skinny, but Dr. Livingston is a baller. He's running this summer with Ft. Sooy-No Limit, which should make a good run for the Big Time title in Las Vegas.

Kendrick Perkins
6-10, 250, senior (Ozen H.S./Beaumont, Texas)
How much did the adidas ABCD people value Perkins' ability last summer? Enough to invite three of his Ozen teammates to camp last summer to keep him company. Wrangling an invite for ABCD is tough enough, but for ABCD to give up three, just to escort Perkins was rather impressive. Perkins is a very skilled player, who will have a bullseye on his back this year as all the young big men are looking to make a reputation at his expense.

Taurean "Tack" Minor
5-10, 180, senior (Booker T. Washington H.S./Houston, Texas)
Expect Tack to tear up the Nike circuit this month. He's a second-coming of Jonathan Hargett, a barrel-chested, small, but extremely fast point guard who is Mr. Excitement on the break. There's nothing Minor about his game. He's strong, aggressive, talented and confident.

David Benezra and Mark Mayemura cover the national college basketball recruiting scene. E-mail at: hoopsusa@mindspring.com or call (818) 783-2244 or (818) 783-2212 for subscription information.