Anaheim Chooses Cotton

Proposed Anaheim and Los Angeles franchises in ABA 2000, a planned revival of the American Basketball Assn., came up with their wish lists of players Tuesday in the league’s draft of veterans and first-year players.

Anaheim selected Alabama guard Schea Cotton, a former high school standout at Mater Dei and Bellflower St. John Bosco, as its No. 1 pick among rookies, and Los Angeles took Long Beach State center Mate Milisa, the Big West Conference player of the year.

In the draft of veterans, Los Angeles selected former UCLA player J.R. Henderson in the first round. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jr., who played in college at Western Kentucky, was taken in the second round, and former UCLA player Kris Johnson was picked third.

Anaheim drafted former NBA star Dominique Wilkins first among the veterans. Dennis Rodman was the No. 1 pick among veterans, taken by Chicago.

Anaheim’s other first-year player selections were Cincinnati forward Ryan Fletcher, Oklahoma State forward Brian Montonati, center Ernest Brown of Indian Hills Community College of Iowa, Louisville forward Nate Johnson and Louisiana Tech forward Kendrick Spruel. Montonati also played at Fullerton College.

Los Angeles selected Gonzaga guard Matt Santangelo in the second round, followed by Pepperdine center Nick Sheppard, Pepperdine forward Tommy Prince, Fresno State forward Terrance Roberson and North Carolina Greensboro forward Demetrius Cherry.

JaRon Rush, who left UCLA after his sophomore season but was passed over in the NBA draft last month, was taken by Kansas City in the first round.

Other veterans chosen by Anaheim were Mike Batiste (Arizona State), Gerald McDonald (UC Irvine), Eric Brown (Long Beach State), Maurice Spillers (Utah State) and Darnell McCullough (Fresno State). Other veterans chosen by Los Angeles were Tremaine Fowlkes (Fresno State), Dominique Ellison (Washington State) and former Laker A.C. Green.

On Monday, Anaheim chose Ronnie Coleman, a former USC player, and Mark Neal, who played at South Alabama and Long Beach College, as its territorial picks. Los Angeles selected former UCLA players Ed O’Bannon and Tyus Edney.

The league plans to begin play in late December.