The Utah Jazz sent five players through workouts today, including perhaps their highest profile player yet: Texas prep phenom Gerald Green. Along with Green today were fellow Texas prep C.J. Miles, Arkansas guard/forward Olu Famutimi, Florida's Matt Walsh, and Georgia Tech's B.J. Elder.

While Green is the only likely lottery prospect, most of others have good chances to hear their names called next Tuesday. Look for the trend to continue as the team heads down the homestretch - more prospects for the sixth pick will be coming through the Zions Bank Basketball Center. But today was interesting mainly because of the two high schoolers.

"It's really difficult" to evaluate the prep kids, noted Jazz VP of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Connor. "You can't take into account the strength issue. If you look at C.J. and Gerald, then you look at B.J. or Matt, they're much stronger (than the youngsters)."

"You try and look for skill, competitiveness because I think that's a big issue."

After the workout, coaches and staff interviewed the players over lunch. "You ask questions at certain different times," O'Connor said. "Why did you go to two high schools? Did you have problems with your coach? Those kinds of things. You want to find out responses on some of the things that have happened in their history. Are you coming by yourself? With your wife? Those are all part of the equation, as much knowledge as you can get."

Green

Gerald Green
Forward, Gulf Shores Academy
6-8, 200 lbs., Houston, TX

While the drafts of recent years have been chock full of high school prospects, this year there are very few who are expected to be taken in the first round. Green is the top of the heap this year for prepsters and is expected to be a top ten selection. Originally committed to attend Oklahoma State, Green has taken his 33.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, and 7.0 apg to the NBA. Recent controversy has surrounded him because of his demands for solo workouts, but don't look for many teams to pass his raw ability up because of that. "G-Money" was born at halftime of Super Bowl XX (Da Bears 46, Patriots 10).

On his workout:
The workout was pretty good. The air was kind of damp, but I tried to push through. I made sure I didn't give up.

On if he can see himself in a Jazz uni next season:
I could. Jazz is a great team, great tradition. Not just me, but anybody would love to be a part of this team. Just the great tradition, great city.

O'Connor's take on Green:
I don't think there was anything we haven't seen before. We wanted to see how he responded to coaching. He's been at a high school that didn't even have a gym. So from a basketball point of view, he's behind a little bit. But as far as teaching goes, he responded extremely well, which is something we wanted to see. He was terrific in the workout. We had dinner with him last night, and he's a classy kid.

Barry "B.J." Elder
Guard, Georgia Tech
6-4, 218 lbs., Madison, GA, CA

Elder was one of the leaders of some very successful Yellow Jacket squads during his tenure at GT, but injuries wrecked his final year and have NBA scouts questioning his abilities. The only thing you can't question about Elder is his ability to shoot. But lack of size and point guard skills will hurt his draft status. Whatever team gives him a shot hopes to see the same Elder s the one who showed up against Michigan on Nov. 30 - 10-12 shooting, 7-9 3p, 27 points.

On his impression of the Jazz organization and what he wanted to show the coaches:
I don't know a whole lot, haven't watched them play the last couple of seasons. I just know that coach requires you to come out and play hard. That's what I'm trying to do, just fit in.

On what he offers to the team:
I think my overall game. Being able to defend on the defensive end, also being able to make baskets on the other end.

Walsh

Matt Walsh
Guard/Forward, Florida
6-6, 205 lbs., Fort Washington, PA

Walsh was perhaps the most talented player on some loaded Gators squads in Gainesville. Even while having to share the ball with teammates Anthony Roberson and David Lee, Walsh still managed to amass 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 rebounds a game. He has the ability and size to play inside and outside, plus the ability to handle the ball, and moves well without the ball.

Miles

C.J. Miles
Guard, Skyline H.S.
6-6, 210 lbs., Dallas, TX

The other prep stud from the Lone Star state hasn't received the same attention as Green, but he could be just as good in the long run. Miles spurned the Texas Longhorns to turn pro, but he hasn't hired an agent and reserves the right to withdraw from the draft if he chooses to. Most have him pegged around picks 20-25. During his senior year, he threw in 23.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Olu Famutimi
Guard/Forward, Arkansas
6-5, 212 lbs., Flint, MI

Olu is a young player with a load of potential, who may pull out of the draft to return for his final two years at Arkansas. But it doesn't hurt to get your face and name out there for NBA coaches and scouts to see, and that's just what Olu is doing. The Flint, MI native was a McDonalds All-American out of high school, and is only beginning to realize his potential in Fayetteville.