Photo gallery: 2006 All-USA boys basketball team

Greg Oden

7-0, center

Lawrence North, Indianapolis

By the numbers: Averaged 22 points and 10.5 rebounds. Shot 74% from the floor. Also named Naismith, Gatorade and Parade magazine player of the year. Helped his team to three consecutive state titles. Got personal invitation to practice with the U.S. Olympic basketball team and possibly play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

College choice: Ohio State.

Why do you wear No. 50? "It's the jersey I was assigned as a seventh-grader."

In 10 years, you want to be doing what? "Playing in the NBA, but more importantly being happy and successful with my life."

Favorite meal: Sweet barbecued chicken wings.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who? "A family reunion back in Buffalo that would include more than 100 people."

The world would be better if: "People stopped smoking. It's messing up the atmosphere."

First dunk: "It was after practice when I was in the seventh grade."

NBA players I admire most: David Robinson and Dwight Howard. "People say my game resembles theirs."

If I couldn't play basketball: "I'd go into accounting."

Going to the prom? "No, I don't have any interest."

O.J. Mayo

6-5, guard

North College Hill, (Cincinnati)

By the numbers: Averaged 28.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals, helping team win second consecutive Division III state title. Named Ohio's Mr. Basketball and first-team All-USA for second consecutive year. Undecided on college.

College: He's a junior.

Why do you wear No. 32? "I grew up a big fan of Magic Johnson."

In 10 years, I want to be doing what? "Leading an NBA team to a championship."

Favorite meal: Spaghetti and meatballs.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who? Kobe Bryant.

The world would be better if: "Everything didn't revolve around money."

First dunk: "I was in seventh grade at a small YMCA gym in West Virginia."

NBA player I admire most: Kobe Bryant. "He's the most competitive player in the league."

If I couldn't play basketball: Movie director. "Movies are full of subplots and surprise outcomes."

Going to the prom? "Yes, with my cousin Ashley Johnson, who attends Huntington High in West Virginia. We're best friends, having grown up together."

Kevin Durant

6-10, forward

Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md.

By the numbers: Averaged 22.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Shot 54.6% from the floor and made 82% of his free throws. Played at Oak Hill Academy as a junior. Named co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game in March.

College choice: Texas.

Why do you wear No. 35? "It's the age of my former club coach Charles Craig (of the P.G. Jaguars) when he died."

What drives your life? "Putting a smile on my parents' faces."

In 10 years, I want to be doing what? "Playing in the NBA. Having won a (championship) ring and being an All-Star."

Favorite meal: Alaskan king crab legs.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who? John Wooden. "I'd talk basketball all night."

The world would be better if: "There was less violence."

First dunk: "I was 14 years old and playing at the Prince George's (Md.) Plaza. I remember closing my eyes before putting it down."

NBA player I admire most: LeBron James.

If I couldn't play basketball: "I'd be a TV weatherman. I'm glued to the television when tornadoes and storms are stirring."

Going to the prom? "No, I'll be playing in the Jordan Game in New York that night (April 22)."

Tywon Lawson

6-0, guard

Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.

By the numbers: In 36 games, averaged 23.8 points, 9.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 4.7 steals. Played two years at Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) before transferring.

College choice: North Carolina.

Why do you wear No. 1? "Tracy McGrady is my favorite player."

What drives your life? Success. "I'd like to have a comfortable life, where after a pro career I wouldn't have to work."

In 10 years, I want to be doing what? "Having a successful career in the NBA, including having won a championship."

Favorite meal: Chicken Alfredo.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who? Actress and singer Christina Milian.

First dunk: "I was in ninth grade at practice. I was surprised."

NBA player I admire most: Tracy McGrady.

If I couldn't play basketball: "I'd go for soccer. I played it this year at Oak Hill, and it really improved my footwork."

Going to the prom? "Not this year."

Spencer Hawes

7-0, center

Seattle Prep

By the numbers: Averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots. Led Seattle Prep to the Class 4A state title in 2006. Uncle Steve Hawes played in the NBA.

College choice: Washington.

Why do you wear No. 32? "I was assigned it as a freshman but not sure I'll wear it in college. Time for a new number and fresh start."

In 10 years, I want to be doing what? "Playing basketball professionally."

Favorite meal: Filet mignon and lobster tail.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who? Jesus Christ and Ronald Reagan.

The world would be better if: "People were more open-minded."

First dunk: "I was a late-bloomer at 14, but it came off a tip-in, beating the first-half buzzer in a high school game."

NBA player I admire most: Tim Duncan.

If I couldn't play basketball: "I'd become very focused on politics. I like a good debate."

Going to the prom? "Of course; sometime in May with my girlfriend."

Coach of the Year

Jack Keefer

Lawrence North, Indianapolis

By the numbers: 583-227 record in 34 years. Has won four state, six regional and 14 sectional titles. Led his team to a 29-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the final USA TODAY Super 25. Lawrence North closed the season on a state record-tying 45-game winning streak, including its third consecutive state championship.

Family: Wife Jan (21 years); sons Joel, 31, and Jake, 8.

What's your life purpose? "Dealing with kids, molding them and sending them on in life. Because kids are at an impressionable age, it's very important to give them a great high school experience."

Favorite meal: Shrimp cocktail and steak at St. Elmo's in Indianapolis. "The shrimp is loaded with a renowned horseradish sauce that clears out the sinuses."

The world would be better if: "Youngsters were more involved in extracurricular activities. Belonging to a group is important."

Coaches I admire and why: Dean Smith and Phil McCarter. "Phil was my coach at Oak Hill High in Converse, Ind., and left a lasting impression. I met Dean while working his camps for 19 years."

If I couldn't coach basketball, I'd: "Go into real estate. I'm already involved and found it's a great way to supplement an income."

Second team
Name	Ht.	High school, city, state	Ppg.	College choice
Wayne Ellington	6-5	Episcopal Academy, Merion, Pa.	21.9	North Carolina
Brandan Wright	6-9	Brentwood Academy, Nashville	22.4	North Carolina
Thaddeus Young	6-8	Mitchell, Memphis	25.0	Georgia Tech
Sherron Collins	5-11	Crane Tech, Chicago	26.0	Kansas
Paul Harris	6-4	Notre Dame Prep, Fitchburg, Mass.	15.0	Syracuse
Third team
Name	Ht.	High school, city, state	Ppg.	College choice
Michael Beasley	6-9	Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.	18.8	Junior
Chase Budinger	6-7	La Costa Canyon, Carlsbad, Calif.	34.0	Arizona
Darrell Arthur	6-9	South Oak Cliff, Dallas	17.6	Undecided
Damion James	6-8	Nacogdoches, Texas	25.0	Oklahoma
Kevin Love	6-10	Lake Oswego, Ore.	28.8	Junior

About this team

How the team was picked: USA TODAY's 2006 All-USA high school boys basketball team was selected by Christopher Lawlor after discussions with analysts, coaches and sportswriters. Players are seniors unless noted.

Where the 2005 Player of the Year is: Along with being named USA TODAY Player of the Year again, Oden was player of the year by Gatorade, Naismith and Parade magazine and received the Morgan Wootten Award.

Enlarge By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Greg Oden was named the All-USA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after he led Lawrence North to an undefeated season and the school's third consecutive state championship.