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Wide-bodied Lang not just a banger
300-pounder also agile, says he likes U of L
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By Eric Crawford
ecrawford@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal


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''He's got such a wide body that he's really tough to defend when he posts up.''
- Recruiting analyst Dave Telep

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TEANECK, N.J. -- James Lang is not your typical widebody.

At 6 feet 11, 300 pounds, the center atCentral Park Christian High School in Birmingham, Ala., draws inevitable comparisons to Robert ''Tractor'' Traylor, a former supersized basketball star at Michigan.

But this tractor has an extra gear. Lang, a senior-to-be, has surprised college coaches with his agility and speed at this week's adidas ABCD Camp at Fairleigh Dickinson University. And he has impressed them with his leaping and shotblocking abilities.

Afterward, Lang said he has settled on a favorite.

''If I had to pick today,'' he said after being prompted by a reporter's question, ''it would be Louisville.''

He isn't picking today. But he said he hopes to have a decision before school starts next month. Among the other contenders are Alabama, Cincinnati and Alabama Birmingham.

Lang would be an intriguing addition at the University of Louisville. He already has shown the willingness to lose weight, at one point dropping more than 40 pounds to trim to 280 before gaining back some weight early this summer.

''I did a lot of running,'' he said. ''I need to get in better shape, but I want to do whatever it takes to get better.''

While his conditioning may be lacking, his athleticism isn't. Heading into yesterday's game he ranked third at the camp with 10 blocked shots in four games. In its daily statistical ranking of all of the camp's players, adidas listed Lang No. 3 overall behind junior-to-be Marcus Williams and senior-to-be Charlie Villanueva.

Said Clark Francis of Hoop Scoop: ''It's amazing how mobile he is when you look at how big he is.''

Added Dave Telep of TheInsidersHoops.com: ''He's got such a wide body that he's really tough to defend when he posts up. He has good hands, and he's willing to dish it back out. And he does an excellent job on the offensive boards. He's a strong player.''

Lang visited U of L two weeks ago and said it was a good experience. He said he'll sit down with his mother before coming to a decision but hasn't set a time frame. He said he expects to take several more visits before announcing a choice.

''(U of L) coach (Rick) Pitino really impressed me,'' Lang said. ''They do such a great job of showing you your potential and what you have a chance to do that it really gets you pumped up. They've probably been more interested in me than anybody.''

And it doesn't hurt that U of L can offer Lang one of the most prized commodities in recruiting: immediate playing time.

''They need somebody to come in and contribute, and wherever I go that's what I want to do right away,'' he said.

Lang began the camp rated No. 84 nationally by Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook but likely will make a jump in the rankings before the end of the summer.

Francis has ranked him 15th among players at the adidas camp.

''The main thing I need to work on is my conditioning,'' Lang said. ''I'm strong enough and athletic enough, and I feel like I have a good defensive game and can rebound. I just need to get in better shape and work on my offensive moves. I'm looking for a school that can help me do that.''