The three point guards in the state who get the most attention from college recruiters aren't going to be in the Georgia High School Association basketball tournaments that begin Friday.

In fact, they don't even play for GHSA teams.

Most GHSA fans probably don't recognize Dustin Ware of North Cobb Christian, Cashmere Wright of Urban Christian in Savannah or Andre Young of Deerfield-Windsor in Albany. But college coaches know where to find them — in the obscurity of the Georgia Independent School Association.

Wright, a 6-foot Cincinnati signee, is rated No. 11 among point guards by Rivals.com and Young, a 5-9 Clemson signee, is No. 27. Georgia signee Ware, also 5-9, is No. 34. All three are among Rivals.com's top 150 players in the nation, regardless of position.

"There is no question, if they played for the GHSA school in their district, they would certainly raise the level of play," said Justin Young, a recruiting analyst for rivals.com and no relation to Andre.

The highest-profile guard in the GHSA tournament, Pierre Jordan of Dunwoody, signed with Florida State, but even he isn't among rivals.com's top 150.

Savannah coach Tim Jordan has watched Wright hold his own against top players in Savannah during summer league play. Wright, Ware and Young also play for some of the top AAU programs in the state.

"Cashmere is just a skilled player," Jordan said. "He is a highlight type of guy."

Georgia assistant coach Desmond Oliver watched Ware play eight times before bringing him to Bulldogs coach Dennis Felton's attention. Once Felton saw him play, the coach offered him a scholarship.

"Dustin is one of those guys that didn't have to score a lot of points for you to know that he can play," Oliver said. "It wasn't a hard sell to Coach Felton."

Each has shone against some big names in basketball. Wright scored 30 points against national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy, which features Arizona-bound guard Brandon Jennings.

"[Wright] is the best-kept secret in Georgia," said Urban Christian coach Frank Williams, who led GHSA power Beach to a pair of semifinal appearances.

Young's breakout game this season came against Florida power Rickards of Tallahassee, which Deerfield-Windsor won 76-46 behind 31 points from Young. Rickards played the first half without standout Anthony Salter, a highly recruited guard who was ill.

But performances like the one against Rickards have been become routine for Young, who was a standout for his Columbus-based AAU team. Young is averaging 27.5 points, five assists and five steals for the Knights.

"He has a great feel for the game," Deerfield-Windsor coach Gordy Gruhl said. "Let's face it, AAU is where he made a big name for himself. Andre can play. There are some bad teams in this league, and there are also bad public school teams. People think we don't have any good players in this league, but we have some guys that can play."

The big question is, can they make the leap from playing against relatively inferior high school competition to major college competition?

First Presbyterian Day coach Michael Brooker believes they can because in 1996, he went from GISA's Brentwood Academy in Sandersville to playing for legendary Dean Smith at North Carolina.

Brooker, Colby Brown and Carlos Arroyo are the best-known alumni of the GISA. Brown played at Clemson from 1987-91 after playing at Westwood School in Camilla. Arroyo, now with the NBA's Orlando Magic, played at Brookwood Academy in Thomasville his junior season.

"Young and Ware are very talented," Brooker said. "They seem well equipped and should have a bright future ahead of them."

League of their own

Here are the top 5 non-GHSA seniors

Player School Height College

Andre Young Deerfield-Windsor 5-9 Clemson

Dustin Ware North Cobb Christian 5-9 Georgia

Cashmere Wright Urban Christian 6-0 Cincinnati

Michael White First Presbyterian Day 6-8 unsigned

Matt Shaw North Cobb Christian 6-7 Lipscomb