Focus: Steve Novak

TEANECK, NEW JERSEY -- Sometimes it is so hard for a forward to shine offensively at a basketball camp. It's usually the guards, who have the first taste of the pumpkin, that hoist the most shots. So it's rare do you get a detailed look at a forward like Steve Novak, a skilled 6-9, 210 pound power/combination forward from Brown Deer H.S. in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.

Novak has a beautiful touch on his shot and can extend his offensive game beyond the three-point arc. He is also a hard worker who runs hard all the time. It's no wonder why several top division one programs are interested in seriously.

We have had a couple more looks at Novak here at the ABCD camp. We want to see more of him because of his unusual skills -- a big man who can shoot like a guard. We hope to have more on Novak later and give you another look at his game. But from what we can see so far, Novak has the mentality of a small forward. Can Novak play that on the college level? Probably. But can he defend quicker and smaller forwards he is likely to see? Time will tell.

One thing is for sure about Novak -- he can shoot the rock. Novak has knocked his list down to four schools this summer.

Novak, who spoke to the Insiders Report from the adidas ABCD Camp, will choose from among Illinois, North Carolina, Marquette and Florida.

Novak unofficially visited North Carolina on July 5, and had previously visited the other three schools on his list -- Illinois, Florida and Marquette. His most recent June trips were to Illinois and Florida, and he lives very close to Marquette and visits the Conference USA school quite often.

As a junior at Brown Deer, Novak averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and four blocks per game.

Novak has a 3.2 GPA and has already scored a 22 on the ACT.

Following the ABCD Camp, Novak will attend the Kentucky Hoop Fest in Louisville with the Wisconsin All-Stars, as well as the Indiana Abernethy Classic and the AAU Nationals in Florida.

Novak said he has no timetable on a decision but plans to make one whenever he feels comfortable to do so. He does not plan on adding any more schools to his list at this time, although he said he might consider Duke if they became involved.

We will have more later with Novak in a detailed Q&A session.