ameel Pugh figured he was all set. He had accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Massachusetts, achieved the necessary academic requirements for admission, and completed an impressive senior campaign at Grant High (Sacramento, CA), averaging 17 points, and eight rebounds per game. He had also earned the nickname King of Dunk after winning numerous dunk contests throughout the year.

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Then came the news. Following the Minutemen's 1st round loss in the NIT, Pugh learned that the man responsible for his decision to attend might not be there in the fall. Bruiser Flint, the head coach who recruited Pugh relentlessly, was catching heat from UMass officials.

Pugh was worried for obvious reasons. "I'm not sure I'd be heading to UMass if Bruiser wasn't there," Pugh says. "He was the X factor in my decision to attend."

After several meetings with Flint, UMass officials decided it would be in the school's best interest to bring back the coach who took over after John Calipari departed in 1996.

"It was definitely a relief," Pugh says. With his future now set, Pugh has focused on refining his game for the next level. After a brief bout with mononucleosis this past March, Pugh hopes to regain his strength and to improve his ball handling skills during the summer months.

"Mono slowed me a bit, but I've pretty much gotten back to my normal weight," Pugh says. "I'm going to prepare for the next level by playing in the Sacramento Pro Am league this year and possibly the Pro Am in Los Angeles."

Pugh was back to his old tricks the first week of May, winning his 16th straight dunk contest with a dazzling performance at the annual Hoop It Up Tournament in Sacramento.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder upheld his reputation as one of the nation's highest leapers with a Vince-Carter-elbow-in-the-rim dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. "After I put that down, it was pretty much over," Pugh says. Long live the King.

Jameel Pugh is a high school basketball star with a Ph.D.

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Sit through a practice session at Grant Union High (Sacramento, Calif.) and you'll quickly uncover his area of study: Dunks.

The high-flying Pugh is recognized as one of the country's most exciting players having won 15 straight dunk contests over a period that has spanned nearly a year.

"The first time I ever dunked was in middle school," the 6-4, 210-pound Pugh says. "A couple of kids were teasing me and saying I couldn't do it. I proved them wrong."

Last season as a junior, Pugh averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game for Grant High, who finished the season with a loss in the California Division II state title game to Dominguez High (Compton).

After dazzling performances on the summer tournament circuit, Pugh suddenly became a hot name in the recruiting world. After weighing out his options carefully, Pugh signed during the early period with UMass.

"After my visit, it just felt right," Pugh says."Now the weight is off my shoulders and I can concentrate on having fun." Dunk on.