That recruiting class was billed as possibly Cal’s alltime best. We had the “Fab 4″ of Powe, Ayinde Ubaka, Marquise Kately and Dominic McGuire. I think there might have been another highly rated guy too actually. That tall lanky guy who also played volleyball.

The anticipation to see those 4 freshman was unreal. The place was packed. And that was back when the lights would go completely out in Haas for the pre-game intros. I’ll never forget how loud it was when they first announced “Leon Pooooooooooooowe”

That and waiting overnight to be the first to get courtside seats when furd came to play in 1993.

Ahhh…the memories…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqhYQpalEAg

You are right. Forgot about Shareef. He was MVP of the Pac 10 as a freshman, though I think he left to play in the NBA after his freshman season. Based upon being named the MVP and what he did as a pro, I agree he should be rated ahead of Murray. I now anoint him, after your reminder, as the greatest Cal forward of all time.

BTW, I need to check, but I think Jackie Ridgle used to be on the same team as Charlie Johnson, Phil Chenier, and Ansley Truitt, though maybe for just one season. I forget who played with Ridgle on the freshman team (Cal had freshman teams back then), probably at least Charlie Johnson, but what was amazing was that everyone would show up for the freshman games and then leave before the varsity played. Ridgle played small forward, about 6;5″, could drive around anyone, and was a great leaper. He was a super exciting player. Unfortunately, he couldn’t really shoot, which is why, I believe, he lasted only one-half season with the Cleveland Cavs. Just checked, and saw Truitt played a season in the NBA, and we know that Johnson and Chenier had good NBA careers. Maybe I’m just showing my age, but Cal had a lot of talent that one year.

Brian Hendrick is another guy I’d put up as a great Cal player. Like Lampley, he was a great player and a loyal Cal alum.

We’ve had some good ones.

But I think Eric had it best. Must have been great to have that trio while you were in school.

I had Leon Powe / Ubaka / Kately / McGuire etc. That didn’t last long but boy that first year Kately threw down some monstrous break away dunks that got Haas rockin.