Evan Burns, a highly skilled 6-7, 211 pound small forward from Fairfax H.S. in Los Angeles, Calif., said he has narrowed his focus to a pair of colleges this fall.

Burns said he might sign late, but the two schools he is serious about are San Diego State and UCLA.

"I have not really been talking to anybody else," Burns said. "I don't really want to. Those are the only two that I am involved with and talking to. I have talked to my parents and I decided that I did not want to leave Cali."

Burns will host San Diego State in his home on Sept. 9, although he has not yet set up a date for UCLA.

Outside of that, Burns has no current plans for official visits.

"No, I will probably just unofficially visit those schools," he said. "I don't think I am going to make official visits. I would much rather sign late, weigh out my options and see what I can do.

Burns said he is already very familiar with both schools. He plays pickup ball quite often at UCLA, and he's also already been to San Diego State several times. His high school team plays in an annual December tournament that is held in San Diego.

"I've been playing with the pro players who go up to UCLA from Monday through Wednesday playing pickup ball at the men's gym," Burns said. "I know that school like the back of my hand."

"I've been to San Diego State quite a bit too for team basketball camp," Burns said. "I know their campus pretty well too because I've been there a few times."

In the process, Burns said he has developed good relationships with UCLA Head Coach Steve Lavin and San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher.

"It's more of a friendship right now," Burns explained. "That is pretty much what I am looking for. It's much easier to play for someone that you like, and I like both Coach Fisher and Coach Lavin."

There have been rumors circulating that Burns might be mulling a jump to the pro ranks out of high school. He felt compelled to discuss that issue with us.

"I would like to go to college," Burns said. "There has been talk that I could make a jump but I do not know about that yet. I have been working myself toward that and prepping myself toward that, working out with [former Fairfax star and NBA player] Chris Mills. He was showing me NBA Drills and what to do to try and prepare myself. The reason I am preparing for that is that if I can get that done, college is not going to be that hard."

When asked to quantify his chances of going pro, Burns replied, "College is much much higher on my list, but I have to keep it in mind. I am definitely focused more on college right now."

As a junior at Fairfax, Burns averaged 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks per game.

Burns previously had told the Insiders Report that he carries a 2.3 GPA and had yet to take the SAT or ACT.

Burns is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2002 because of his size, versatility and ability. An athletic forward with legitimate range out to three point land, Burns can also hurt defenses with his slashing ability from the wing.

Not a big proponent of summer basketball, Burns elected to skip many of the major July events. The Insiders Report caught him in action last fall at the Charlie Weber Tournament, and at the NBA Players Association Camp this June. The only event he attended in July was the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis.