TEANECK, N.J -- ABCD has the talent on hand for plenty of great matchups. The adidas-run camp understands the importance of creating the possible competition on the court. And its philosophy makes sure these clashes happen on the court -- and often.

Tuesday's feature presentation starred 6-foot-10 Kendrick Perkins of Beaumont, Texas, considered by many to be the top center in the class of 2003, and 6-11 Martin Iti, who has been the center of controversy since coming to America from Australia four years ago.

	Perkins is the big man on campus this week.

It was clear looking at Perkins that he's been working out hard on his game and his body, as he prepares himself not for the summer; not for his senior season at Ozen High School; but for the NBA scouts who will be in attendance all season. Perkins must determine if he should go to college or, if he impresses enough NBA types, jump straight to the league next spring.

Iti, meanwhile, recently shocked the college basketball world with his early commitment to Charlotte. Iti, who arrived in the states in 1998, hasn't played high school basketball since the 1999-2000 season. He spent the past year at Winchendon School in Massachusetts -- his sixth high school since 1998. Needless to say, there is a lot of speculation that Iti may not play a minute of college basketball either.

But, having just arrived from the big-body starved environment at Nike, we were dying to see some big tunas in action. Perkins vs. Iti did not disappoint, although it was not exactly the Thrilla' in Manilla, either.

Perkins is looking much more streamlined and muscular than last summer. As a result, the big man is moving better, has a bigger, thicker frame than Iti, and plays a true back-to-the-basket, pro-style power game in the post. Iti, who is quicker and more athletic -- but no twig -- plays more of a finesse game.

Iti started out looking like he would hold his own. He made a special effort to put a body on Perkins and block him out on every shot attempt -- which he did quite successfully. But Perkin's power game was a little more than Iti could deal with over the course of the time the two spent together on the court.

Perkins started out using a good looking spin move off of his drop step -- call it a "power spin drop" -- and just went right around and over Iti for two. His next move was an aggressive drop step from the other side of the basket with a counter move back to the middle for a powerful jump hook over a helpless Iti, who was starting to complain to officials about Perkins' physical play.

Each post move was proceeded by Perkins getting a little "Shaqalogical" with Iti, backing him down aggressively, using a couple of shoulder bumps to create space, and taking advantage of his strength. Iti was not backing down, he was just worn down by Perkins. Iti did fight back and eventually made a nice block of a Perkins jump hook, which Iti was called for a foul on.

Iti posted up Perkins but did not receive the ball from his teammates as much. He did step out and hit a '17 against a sagging Perkins, but showed a little softness in hurrying up an open cripple inside with Perkins out of position and blew it.

Benezra and Mayemura Scorecard
In the end, it was a case of mass and muscle (Perkins) over muscle (Iti). And this battle was a unanimous decision for Perkins.

Iti wins the battle of who has the most upside. Iti is a little taller, and plays taller. He also has nice shot-blocking skills. Perkins is not a shot-blocker, but is much more of a space-eater type. Iti can run all day and defend outside as well as in the post. Perkins can step out and shoot, but not as well as Iti, nor can he put it on the deck from the wing like Iti.

Camp director Sonny Vaccaro, an NBA insider, said, "Did you see those moves? Kendrick has really improved his game and his body. He looked great out there today."

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.