Cam Thomas left little doubt about his scoring prowess when he visited the Culligan City of Palms Classic in December. But perhaps because of the competition, the overwhelming talent surrounding him with Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia), or both, his 23.3 City of Palms scoring average may be merely a conservative indication of his ability to get buckets.

 

When he went last, he became the first.

 

Toney Mack was the final player selected in the 1989 NBA Draft, going 54th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also the first player who appeared at the Culligan City of Palms Classic history to be taken in the NBA Draft.

 

That he wound up being drafted came as no surprise to anyone who saw him in high school. He led the nation in scoring average with 41.3 points per game for Brandon High in 1984-85, setting the all-time Florida state record. That mark has since been eclipsed, but his title as 1985 Florida Mr. Basketball lives on, as do the memories of his 63-point performance against East Bay and the 71 points he scored three nights later versus Winter Haven.

Mack was so gifted a scorer that at a high school all-star event in Washington, D.C., members of the opposing team asked for his autograph. The nation got to know him in the May 13, 1985 issue of Sports Illustrated, which featured him....