Basketball, as with all sports, has always had its pantheon of heroes and greats, the men who have made the sport great and who have achieved that greatest of personal accolades, stardom. Each generation has its share of stars who go on to make names for themselves quite apart from adding an all new dimension to the greatest game ever invented.

In our great country we are fortunate to have been given the likes of Caloy "The Big Difference" Loyzaga, Cristino "Stretch" Arroyo, Robert "The Big J" Jaworski, "El Presidente" Ramon Fernandez, Allan "Triggerman" Caidic, Samboy "Skywalker" Lim, "The Captain" Alvin Patrimonio, "The Tower of Power" Benjie Paras, Johnny "Flying A" Abarrientos, "The Skyscraper" Marlou Aquino, Kenneth "Captain Marbel" Duremdes, and the latest generation that include Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa and Enrico Villanueva.

One generation of stars will eventually give way to the next, ensuring that the country is never bereft of primetime talent in its favorite game. That next generation is now cutting its teeth in the hardcore circuits of amateur hoopdom. Yousif Al Jamal, Jason Castro, Floyd Dedicatoria, Ken Bono, JC Intal, Rico Maeirhofer, Jonas Villanueva and a whole host of other amateur stars are proving that as long as hardcore ball exists, the country will never have a talent deficit in basketball.

But the truly great thing about basketball is that stardom exists at almost every level. A lot of hardcore hoops junkies are taking a good long look at the graduating high school class now and you will see the next generation of stars already strutting their stuff and giving all of us a glimpse of the undiminished brightness of our collective basketball future.

Surfing through the Forums of Gameface.ph, the Philippines' only media portal for Philippine Amateur Basketball discussing the next college ball seasons, several young ballers graduating from high school this year seem poised to become the next great stars of hardcore hoopdom, the ones you will be lustily cheering for in the UAAP and NCAA. Here are the most mentioned.

DAVID MARCELO, 6'5" 195 pounds, San Beda

High School Position: Center

Likely College Position: Power Forward/Center

Degree of Transition: Will make a minimal transition; if he grows another inch and fills out to 215 pounds he could become a fulltime center even into the pros

Most Likely College: San Beda (San Beda is expectedly hell bent on keeping him to reenforce their already formidable frontline in the Seniors level)

Other Likely College Destination/s: Ateneo De Manila, University of the Philippines (Anyone with this much potential cannot escape the notice of other big programs, and Ateneo and UP have had great success with their San Beda pipeline)

Dave Marcelo has been touted as the "next Benjie Paras" by some scouts. It isn't hard to imagine given his strength and agility. However he does not yet quite have the meanness and toughness of the original Tower of Power. Still, with his rare combination of size, agility and strength, he would be a great asset to any college team. Marcelo has above average post moves and can run the floor like any Ato Badolato-trained player. He will need to work harder on his timing on defense and rebounding though "most of his rebounds and blocks at the high school level are more because of his size" or he will foul out quickly against the faster, stronger and bigger college post players.

BACON AUSTRIA, 6'1" 185 pounds, Ateneo De Manila

High School Position: Power Forward/Small Forward

Likely College Position: Small Forward/Off Guard

Degree of Transition: Was an Off Guard as a kid, has the fundamentals to switch back to the swing position

Most Likely College: Ateneo De Manila (Already in Ateneo's Fr. Martin Cup 3 lineup)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the Philippines

Being a coach's son indeed has its advantages, especially if said coach also happens to be one of the great guards in Philippine hoopdom. Unlike other kids his size Raymond "Bacon" Austria has a full complement of skills that allow him to play and transition easily from the perimeter to the post. His ball handling and passing are above average for a guard and superior for a forward, while his mass and strength allow him to bull his way against leaner players in the post. This rare combination saw him win the UAAP Season 69 Juniors MVP award going away while leading Ateneo to the Juniors Title. This kind of package would give college coaches a lot of flexibility when using him on the floor.

FERDINAND, 6'4" 190 pounds, La Salle Greenhills

High School Position: Center

Likely College Position: Power Forward/Center

Degree of Transition: Will still play the post in college; has the strength and the thickness to get the job done; will have to adjust to the more athletic big men in college though

Most Likely College: De La Salle University (Does not seem to have any other school in mind for college)

Other Likely College Destination/s: College of St. Benilde (Just in case he'd rather stay in the NCAA)

While most kids in Indonesia were getting into football, Ferdinand simply outgrew a lot of his playmates and soon found himself away from the pitch and on to the hardwood court. With his broad shoulders and powerful legs Ferdinand can easily dominate the inside, and he may not have to change positions much when he makes it to the college level. His width and strength allow him to get and hold position easily, although this may not come so easily against the big boys of the college game. Still, he brings above average to superior athletic ability in a strapping package.

MIKE GAMBOA, 5'6" 155 pounds, Ateneo De Manila

High School Position: Point Guard

Likely College Position: Point Guard

Degree of Transition: None

Most Likely College: University of the Philippines (Not quite in the same league as the BJ Manalo defection but could come back to haunt Ateneo; already reportedly practicing with the Maroons)

Other Likely College Destination/s: Ateneo De Manila (Returnees aren't a big thing in Loyola Heights but Gamboa may become the exception)

Basketball is supposedly a big man's game, but don't tell Mike Gamboa that. This stocky but speedy guard negates every kind of size advantage with his electric speed and ability to cut up any kind of defense, making him a one-man press break. He has all the requisite guard skills at high levels "passing, handling, breaking the press, creating off the dribble, running the plays, perimeter shooting" and he is as tough as they come, both physically and mentally, something he put on full display in the Nike Summer Hoops Camp All Star Game in Taiwan. He could become the next big revelation in the college game.

SOCRATES RIVERA, 6'5" 170 pounds, Far Eastern FERN

High School Position: Center

Likely College Position: Power Forward/Small Forward

Degree of Transition: Minimal; won't get the easy ones at the Power Forward/Small Forward in college like he did as a Center in high school but has the tools to get it done

Most Likely College: Far Eastern University (FEU is rebuilding and he is easily their best young prospect)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the Philippines (There are accounts of tryouts in Diliman so don't be surprised if ever)

With his length and athleticism, Soc Rivera is a truly complete package. Were he not sharing the FEU FERN frontcourt with two other young fellows his size he could easily have led the UAAP Juniors Division in every meaningful statistical category. Rivera seems to just glide on the floor and elevate with ease to shoot, snatch rebounds and block shots. He reminds a lot of scouts of a young Arwind Santos, but with a more advanced offense at the same stage of their careers.

ERWIN DURAN, 6'5" 180 pounds, University of the East

High School Position: Center

Likely College Position: Power Forward/Center

Degree of Transition: Minimal, may even become a fulltime center right off the bat considering UE's difficulties at the pivot (they don't have one)

Most Likely College: University of the East (So low key that he has attracted little attention from other schools)

Other Likely College Destination/s: De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas (Should the Pumaren connection kick in he may find himself in the Archers rotation along with Ferdinand; on the other hand Pido Jarencio is reportedly keen on getting him as another versatile big man)

While scouts were drooling over big man prospects from the high school class of 2007 they were likely doing so over the FEU FERN troika. Meanwhile Erwin Duran put together the best statistical line over the course of Season 69 while carrying the UE Pages on his back and almost into the Final 4. His numbers were better than any other player in the division. If he had better support the Pages may have been the ones hoisting a championship trophy. His name has not been mentioned as often as the FEU boys, which suits the UE Warriors just fine.

JONAS PAGUIA, 6'5" 180 pounds, Far Eastern FERN

High School Position: Center/Power Forward

Likely College Position: Power Forward/Center

Degree of Transition: None

Most Likely College: Far Eastern University (You can never get enough big men in the college game, especially with a big man-oriented program like FEU)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the Philippines, De La Salle (Reports say he's been to the tryouts at Diliman along with other Baby Tams; some reports had it that the late Gido Babilonia was trying to get him a tryout with the Archers)

Jonas Paguia is one reason Soc Rivera could not get MVP-type numbers. But where Rivera is a livewire of athletic ability, Paguia has a relatively more straightforward and subdued game. He brings a lot of the same skills Paguia has but in a slightly bigger and stronger package. Think of him as Mark Isip or Gerard Jones, a big man who possesses more than the typical big man skills. Paguia could become the glue guy that teams covet with his unassuming demeanor and intense play.

MARK LOPEZ, 6'3" 160 pounds, Far Eastern FERN

High School Position: Power Forward/Small Forward

Likely College Position: Small Forward

Degree of Transition: Will need to get more meat on his rail of a body to match up physically against college wingmen; will be a pain to match up as an Off Guard though

Most Likely College: Far Eastern University (FEU has succeeded with tall swingmen in the last couple of years)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the Philippines

One of the toughest positions to fill in basketball is the small forward or 3-spot. This is usually reserved for the best athlete and the most versatile player, someone not confined to the de rigeur size or strength considerations. Mark Lopez is a prototypical 3, with the length, size, athletic ability and agility at high levels across the board. This is one player who won't have any trouble making the transition to the toughest skill position in college, and he has the tools to be a 2-guard in a very tall lineup, making him a very hot swingman prospect. If he were a more natural shooter from three point range he could become the next RJ Rizada.

KIRK LONG, 6'0" 150 pounds, Faith Academy

High School Position: Point Guard/Off Guard

Likely College Position: Point Guard/Off Guard

Degree of Transition: None

Most Likely College: Ateneo De Manila

Other Likely College Destination/s: Could go home to the US of A (He's also one heck of a baseball player)

Kirk Long looks like he stepped out of the set of a 1960's basketball movie, or a Rogers and Hammerstein musicale. But don't let the looks deceive you, the kid can flat out play. With his size and skills he won't need to make too much of a transition as a college guard. His biggest adjustment will have to be in the mental and physical toughness departments, since he's never played against the kind of roughhouse competition of Philippine college ball as the star of Faith Academy.

JULIUS WONG, 6'1" 150 pounds, Letran

High School Position: Small Forward/Off Guard

Likely College Position: Off Guard/Small Forward

Degree of Transition: Could stand growing another inch or two and putting on another 10 pounds; also needs to work on his endurance and stamina to succeed at the next level

Most Likely College: Letran (Alumni boosters and fans would love to see him become a full fledged Knight)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the Philippines (Was reportedly trying out with the Fighting Maroons), Ateneo de Manila University

Letran has had a proud tradition of producing top athletes out of its junior basketball program, and Julius Wong is just the latest in a long and outstanding line that includes JC Intal, JR Reyes and Ronjay Enrile. Wong is a natural scorer who can hit from the outside and slash into the lane even against the most compact zones. His speed and wiliness are virtually unmatched. He may need to upgrade his passing and handling skills to succeed at the college level though, where he may be asked to be a fulltime guard.

CARLO LITUANIA, 5'11" 150 pounds, Jose Rizal University

High School Position: Off Guard/Small Forward

Likely College Position: Off Guard/Point Guard

Degree of Transition: Can be productive as a fulltime guard at the next level; must upgrade his ballhandling and passing if he wants to play the 1 on a more fulltime basis though

Most Likely College: Jose Rizal University (Seems headed for the Heavy Bombers lineup unless some other schools come calling)

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the East (May become the next Bon Bon Custodio, or at least the next Jorel Canizares, if Coach Dindo Pumaren puts their JRU pipeline to work and retool his backcourt)

Playing guard is the toughest thing to do in basketball because of the high demand for a superior skill set and high level of natural athletic ability. Forwards and centers can get away with merely being big and strong, but guards need to rely on smarts and speed to be effective. Carlo Lituania has all of those in spades. With just a bit more seasoning and the right kind of focused coaching and skills development he could become a sleeper hit as a guard in the college game.

GARVO LANETE, 5'10" 145 pounds, San Beda

High School Position: Off Guard

Likely College Position: Off Guard/Point Guard

Degree of Transition: Fits the mold of the classic combo-guard, will need to upgrade his handling and passing though if he will see minutes as a college pointguard

Most Likely College: San Beda College

Other Likely College Destination/s: University of the East (Coach Dindo Pumaren was able to nab a Red Cub star guard before, James Martinez, and with the loss of veterans like Bon Custodio and Rob Labagala, he will need to rebuild his backcourt)

Being under the radar isn't such a bad thing. Expectations are nonexistent and there is no pressure to be "the man". This has allowed Garvo Lanete to quietly develop his game. He is perhaps the best high school guard you have never heard of, which suits the famed Red Army just fine, since it keeps those pesky Quezon City scouts away. But then again Lanete may just decide to cross Legarda and join James Martinez in the UAAP. Oh well, at least they still wear red.

DEXTER ROSALES, 5'10" 145 pounds, Far Eastern FERN

High School Position: Off Guard/Point Guard

Likely College Position: Off Guard/Point Guard

Degree of Transition: Is really more of a 2-guard rather than a fulltime Point Guard, shoots better than he passes and is overwhelmingly one-handed, will have to unlearn then learn new things to succeed even as a part-time college Point Guard, has the tools to get it done

Most Likely College: University of the Philippines (Some reports have it that he is already a lock with the Fighting Maroons where he will join erstwhile Juniors Finals nemesis Mike Gamboa as UP's backcourt of the future)

Other Likely College Destination/s: Far Eastern University (If things do not quite pan out in Diliman he can always go back home)

Dexter Rosales was a key factor in keeping the Baby Tams focused on their drive to the Season 69 Juniors Finals. His heady play kept FEU FERN in the thick of the Finals fight even against the fearsome Blue Eaglet press. While he has the requisite physical tools to become a top combo-guard at the college level, his minutes may come as a Point Guard, meaning he will have to learn to set up others first before looking for his own offense. In any event the right kind of coaching should be able to get him on the right track.